National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

136 Fall Street
Seneca Falls, NY 13148

315-568-2991 phone
315-568-2141 fax

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Release Date: August 20, 2002
Contact: Jack Shay
Phone: 315 568-2991

What can we learn by digging up the past?

WATERLOO-SENECA FALLS - On the eve of Women's Equality Day, the 82nd anniversary of the Woman Suffrage Amendment, Women's Rights National Historical Park invites the public to share lessons from the past at the homes of Jane Hunt and Mary Ann M'Clintock, two Waterloo women who led the call for equal rights for women.

"We've planned special events for August 25th, including activities for children, an ice cream reception with Jane and Richard Hunt, and a slide show and display of archeological finds from the M'Clintock House," said Acting Park Superintendent Lizzie Watts. "We invite the public to these free events to honor those who had the courage and vision to call for equal rights for women 154 years ago." The Hunt House is on Routes 5 & 20 (401 E. Main St.) and the M'Clintock House is at 14 East Williams Street. Both Waterloo sites are part of Women's Rights National Historical Park.

"We are lucky to have the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a partner to preserve these important sites," said Watts, who hopes that a representative of the Trust will be able to participate in the Hunt House reception. "The National Trust has agreed to provide additional funds to assist with historic structure research and archeological investigations required by law before the National Park Service can begin to restore the Hunt House for public use." The National Trust was instrumental in helping the NPS acquire the Hunt House.

The public is invited to come for ice cream and conversation from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Hunt House, where they will be greeted by Park Players Karen and Stephen Beals as Jane and Richard Hunt. Kids will be encouraged to join a special educational program with a park ranger. Prizes will be awarded.

At 1:30 p.m. at the M'Clintock House, Park Curator Jude Pfister and Scott Stull, archeologist with Hartgen Associates, will share some of the lessons learned during archeological digs at the East Williams Street property. Using slides to illustrate his talk, Stull will explain the results of the excavation he led on the former Young property before utilities could be installed at the M'Clintock House. He will explain the intricate work of "mining" the layers of history underground.

Pfister will talk about the importance of archeological collections in a museum and will explain why archeological finds form the foundation of most museum collections. "Archeology provides critical information to understanding the past and is key to historic preservation work at the M'Clintock House," Pfister said. "Perhaps our archeological studies will provide clues to help us better document and understand the importance of these two properties to the women's rights and anti-slavery movements," he added.

Events at both sites are free and open to the public. For more information, call the park at 315-568-2991, or check the park's website at www.nps.gov/wori .

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Updated: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 10:08:55 Eastern Standard Time
www.nps.gov /archive/wori/archives/foundersday02PR.htm
Author: David Malone