Friends of Womens Rights

Grand Opening of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Center
October 8-10, 2010

Click here to get more information [PDF]

M’Clintock House to Close for the Season

Seneca Falls--Women’s Rights National Historical Park Superintendent, Tina Orcutt announced today that the M’Clintock House in Waterloo will be closing for the season on September 6. The public is invited to visit the home where the close-knit, Quaker family of seven harbored fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad, entertained famous lecturers and helped to plan the First Women’s Rights Convention. “This incredible family worked with Elizabeth Cady Stanton to draft the Declaration of Sentiments, a document proclaiming to the world that “all men and women are created equal”. “Take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to stop by before the house closes for the winter,” said Superintendent Orcutt. The house will reopen in spring 2011.

The M’Clintock House at 14 East Williams Street in Waterloo is open to the public Friday through Monday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The house has been restored to its 1848 appearance and is listed as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. For more information call Women’s Rights National Historical Park at 315-568-0024 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/wori/.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park exists to commemorate and preserve the story of the First Women’s Rights Convention and historical structures associated with it in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York. All public tours and programs are free and open to the public.

Park Celebrates 90th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote

Seneca Falls, New York – Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the site of the first women’s rights convention held in 1848, announced today the schedule of events on Saturday, August 28, 2010 to commemorate the 90^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The 19^th Amendment granted women the right to vote by simply stating that, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Although ratified on 18 August 1920, the amendment became part of the Constitution when it was certified on August 26 of that year. Since 1971, that date has been designated as Women’s Equality Day in the United States.

“We are pleased to host a variety of programs to celebrate the passage of the 19^th Amendment. Mark the date of August 28 on your calendar – it is sure to be an exciting and memorable event,” explained Superintendent Tina Orcutt.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010 the park will offer several special events at the park visitor center, 136 Fall Street in Seneca Falls. At 11:00 acclaimed author Mary Walton will discuss her new book, A Woman’s Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot, in the visitor center theater. Immediately following the discussion she will be available for questions and a book signing. Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the visitor center bookstore.

At 1:00 that afternoon the public will be treated to a performance by the Hutchinson Family Revival musical group inside the recently rehabilitated Wesleyan Chapel, adjacent to the visitor center. The group recreates the music of the Hutchinson Family Singers, 19^th century social activists who used their music to campaign vigorously for such causes as abolition, women's rights and temperance. Immediately following the performance a ranger led tour of the village of Seneca Falls will be offered. Throughout the day there will be a full schedule of programs about the Wesleyan Chapel, the Stanton House at 32 Washington Street in Seneca Falls, and the M’Clintock House at 14 East Williams Street in Waterloo.

NY Times Article - My Favorite August

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/opinion/14collins.html?_r=2&th&emc=th

Talk and Book Signing by Author Sharon Harris to be Held at Women’s Rights National Historical Park

Seneca Falls, NY – The public is invited to celebrate the 162nd anniversary of the First Women’s Rights Convention by attending a talk and book signing by professor and author Sharon M. Harris.

This event will be held at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park visitor center, 136 Fall Street in Seneca Falls, starting at 1:30 pm on Saturday, July 17th.

Harris is a professor of English and Director of the Humanities Institute at the University of Connecticut. She is the author of several books including; Executing Race: Early Women’s Narratives of Race, Society, and the Law and Dr. Mary Walker: An American Radical, 1832 - 1919, a biography of the Oswego activist, author, Civil War surgeon and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

The talk will be presented in the visitor center auditorium with a question & answer session afterward. Seating is limited, so please come early.

Immediately following the talk a book signing will take place in the visitor center lobby featuring Dr. Mary Walker: An American Radical, 1832 – 1919, which is available in the visitor center bookstore. The talk and book signing will be hosted by Eastern National in cooperation with the National Park Service. Entrance to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park visitor center is free of charge.

For more information, please contact the Park at (315) 568-0024 or visit http://www.nps.gov/wori.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park exists to commemorate and preserve the story of the First Women’s Rights Convention and historical structures associated with it in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York. All public tours and programs are free and open to the public.

Women's Equality Day - Women of Infuence Luncheon - August 26th

Lunch ticket order form

What happened on the 50th anniversary of passing the 19th amendment?
“August 26, 1970, marked the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted American women full suffrage. On that anniversary the National Organization for Women (NOW) called upon women nationwide to ‘strike for equality.’ Women in 40 cities organized demonstrations to protest the fact that women still did not have equal rights. In New York City, 50,000 women marched down Fifth Avenue to demonstrate their support of the women’s movement and equal rights. Former NOW president Betty Friedan, feminist Gloria Steinem, and U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug addressed the crowd. The event was extraordinarily successful in demonstrating the breadth of support for women’s rights. In 1971 Congress officially recognized August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.”
More Information on Women's Equality Day

Friends of Women's Rights National Historical Park, Inc.

The Friends of Women's Rights National Historical Park, Inc. is a Seneca Falls based non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and funds to insure that the Park is positioned to continue the work begun in Seneca Falls in 1848. Our vision is to insure in perpetuity the preservation of the Park for the inspiration and full achievement of equality for all.

Click here to learn more about The Friends.

The Women's Rights National Historical Park

Located in Seneca Falls, the Women's Rights National Historical Park offers the public at large an opportunity to trace the heritage and legacy associated with the women suffrage movement in a beautiful and spacious interactive environment.

Click here to learn more about The Park.

The Birth of Women's Rights

Held at Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, the First Women's Rights Convention generated the Declaration of Sentiments, a document modeled after the Declaration of Independence that identified women's issues.

Click here to learn more about The History of Women's Rights.