NEWS RELEASE US. department of the interior
national park service
MATCHES GRANT TO RESTORE M'CLINTOCK HOUSE
Historic House Central to Women's Rights History to get Full Interior Restoration and Educational Fund
New York, New York, Dec. 21, 1999-Author, historian and philanthropist Barbara Goldsmith has matched a grant necessary to restore the M'Clintock House, the site where the Declaration of Sentiments was drafted five days prior to the First Women's Rights Convention in July 1848.
A $185,000 grant was awarded by the "Save America's Treasures" program in May 1999 to rehabilitate the interior of the house. Private matching funds were needed in order for restoration to begin. By adding to the $45,000 previously secured, Ms. Goldsmith ensures that the house is restored to its period of significance. She has provided for an educational fund as well.
Her donation is dedicated to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. "As a member of the President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History, this seemed an urgent and fitting gift," said Ms. Goldsmith.
The
M'Clintock House, located in Waterloo, New York, holds special interest
for Ms. Goldsmith. Not only does it celebrate the women's rights movement
in America but also that of the Spiritualist movement in the U.S. The
pronounced connection between the two was discovered in Ms. Goldsmith's
latest book, Other Powers: The Age of Suffrage, Spiritualism, and the
Scandalous Victoria Woodhull.
Ms. Goldsmith's interest in the M'Clintock House was also piqued by the recent auction of the Hunt House, another historical home intrinsic to women's rights. The Hunt House was bought at auction by the Trust for Public Lands in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other private donors. It will be restored and donated to the National Park Service for inclusion in Women's Rights National Historical Park.
"Because of the M'Clintock House's direct link to my work, as well as growing interest in preserving properties that celebrate women, I wanted people to learn this important contribution to American history," states Goldsmith.
Josie Fernandez, Superintendent of Women's Rights National Historical Park said the matching donation is a wonderful gift to the park and to the nation. "Ms. Goldsmith is a chronicler of women's rights history and is making history through her generous single contribution," said Fernandez. "Her telephone call came at the right time and had the right tone - she simply asked me 'how can I help?' I simply told her and she is now delivering."
"We are 100 percent ready to go on plans and specs drawings for the restoration of the M'Clintock House and come spring, there will be a lot of action and a new beginning for this American treasure." Fernandez said.
Other major contributors
to restoration fund include the Ralph Peters Memorial Fund, the Elizabeth
Cady Stanton Foundation and ITT/Goulds through the Friends of Women's
Rights National Park, Inc., which is accepting additional contributions.
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