While traveling to New York, I was able to experience a variety of history. Seneca Falls was one historical city I was particularly eager to visit because it is full of history including the site where women’s rights became active. Before visiting, I readily absorbed information from our public library to prepare myself for what we would see. As soon as we stepped out the door of our vehicle, my eyes were drawn to the sign above which marks the site of the first convention for women’s rights. It was held July 19-20, 1848.
There was a lot that led up to this important convention. Like the formation of any house or structure, there has to be a foundation leading up to the completion. Two influential women that eventually called together the convention at Seneca Falls were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott They had met at the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London as delegates. Eight years later, they gathered women together at Seneca Falls. The Seneca County Courier announced the convention on July 14, 1848 as a “Convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women.”
In 1847-1862, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her family lived in Seneca Falls, New York. The home became a National Historic landmark in 1965. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the Declaration of Sentiments declaring women’s rights. I find it interesting that this document was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. The document proclaimed that “all men and women were created equal.”
I got to stand on the porch of Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home!
A river located across from Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s house was the site of another women’s rights convention. The river now is occupied by a lock system. I was fascinated by the series of channels and it was my first time seeing a lock in real life.
Rochester, New York is the location of the Susan B. Anthony house which now is a museum filled with photos, memorabilia, and pieces from the Anthony family furnishings. It is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m.- 5 p.m with the last tour at 4 p.m. For more info you can visit their website http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/ . Photography inside is not allowed so you will just have to imagine the interior for now.
This home was where Susan B. Anthony wrote, organized, and planned various details during her work for women’s suffrage. In the parlor Susan would have met with other famous reformers including Elizabeth Cady Stanton who formed a partnership and strong friendship with Susan B. Anthony. Together the two women formed the National Women's Suffrage Association. They spent 20 years speaking at suffrage societies across America and made a huge impact on the women’s rights movement.
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