Women's Rights National Historical Park (NHP) in Seneca Falls, New York, is a national park which was established by Congress in 1980 to commemorate the sites and events associated with the first Women's Rights Convention, held July 19th and 20th, 1848. This Convention was conceived and organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other abolitionists, Quakers, and reformers of the day, and marks the formal beginnings of the women's rights movement. The right to vote, own property, earn and keep wages, have custody of children, and obtain an education, were among the demands that were presented at the Convention.

Women's Rights NHP will present a series of events, exhibits, performances, speakers, conferences and activities in 1998. "It is an exciting time and a busy year," said Joanne Hanley, Superintendent of the national park. "We are looking forward to hosting thousands of visitors from around the country, and indeed the world."

 "We are especially pleased that the National Park Foundation in Washington, D.C., the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service, will step up its fundraising campaign in 1998 to help us restore the M'Clintock House, site of the writing of the Declaration of Sentiments, the blueprint for change that was presented at the Convention." Hanley went on to state, "They will reach out to a wide range of corporations and park supporters to raise money, and to develop the seeds of a national friends group for the park. Their experience and help will be invaluable. They already have $47,000 in the bank for us!"

The park will formally inaugurate its activities on February 15th, when it opens an exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Three marble busts of suffrage leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony, which were models for Adelaide Johnson's Suffrage Statue currently on display in the Rotunda of the Capitol in Washington, will be on exhibit at the park's Visitor Center all year long. This special opening and dedication of the exhibit coincides with Susan B. Anthony's birthday!

A Colloquium on Women's Rights Issues, co-sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony Center at the University of Rochester, will take place monthly at the park from February through June. Topics include domestic violence issues (which is specially co-sponsored by the Seneca Against Violence Coalition), gender equity in education, women in sports, women in spirituality, and women in non-traditional careers.

"We are also very excited about three new curriculum based education programs we will be distributing to schools this year. Our students are our future, and our national parks are classrooms available for their use," Hanley stated. The teacher's guides which will be available are "Be Your Own Historian: Seneca Falls and the 1848 Convention," written by Dr. Judy Wellman of SUNY Oswego; "Elizabeth M'Clintock, Entrepreneurial Woman," developed under the Parks as Classrooms™ program; and "Celebrating Your Cultural Heritage: Telling the Untold Stories in Your Community," written by Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner. The untold story which will be used as an example in Seneca Falls is the influence of the Iroquois women on the early women's rights movement.

Highlighting the year will be the park's participation in Celebrate '98, July 16th - 19th, the official 150th anniversary celebration in Seneca Falls. In partnership with Celebrate '98, the park will host many different venues and activities. Historical dramas, performances and re-enactments will take place daily. A high point will be a "Stanton Symposium" featuring a panel of scholars who were interviewed for the Elizabeth Cady Stanton/Susan B. Anthony documentary, to be produced by Ken Burns and aired in 1999.

During Celebrate '98, the park, along with the National Women's Hall of Fame, will host the Speaker's Pavilion on the grounds of the Stanton Home. "I am working very closely with the White House and representatives from the President's Interagency Council on Women to ensure high level government representation at the event and at the Pavilion," said Hanley. "We are also excited that the Hall of Fame is bringing its Distinguished Speaker Series to the Pavilion. All the living inductees in the Hall of Fame have been invited."

Hanley goes on to state "The activities we have planned, and the partners we are cooperating with are too numerous to list here. I hope that everyone will take time to call us and request a brochure so they can plan their year. There will be something for everyone, whether you are seeking an intellectually stimulating discussion, an emotionally compelling experience, or a fun filled afternoon. "

For more information on events planned for 1998 contact MaryEllen Snyder, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services, Women's Rights NHP at 315.568.2179, or visit the Park's website at http://www.nps.gov/wori.

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