It’s Alive! It’s ALIVE!: Women in the Genre of Science Fiction and Horror from Frankenstein to The Hunger Games

Date: September 27, 2014
Contact: Kimberly Szewczyk, 315-568-2991 ext. 3000

Seneca Falls, NY- In 1816, at the age of 19, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein as the result of a dare to write something scarier than contemporary gothic horror. Her monstrous creation redefined the genre and gave rise to an entirely new one –science fiction. Shelley's work was influenced by her own experiences of tragedy and loss, the misunderstood scientific advances of her era, and questions of early 19^th century morality. During the month of October, Women's Rights National Historical Park will celebrate the contributions women, such as Mary Shelley, have made in science fiction and horror in a new spine tingling exhibit, "It's Alive! It's ALIVE!: Women in the Genre of Science Fiction and Horror from Frankenstein to The Hunger Games." Be forewarned, this exhibit is not for the faint of heart!

The exhibit is the brain child of Ethan Lewis, a graduate student at Syracuse University interning at the park through the generosity of Eastern National, a cooperating partner of Women's Rights National Historical Park. Lewis will be giving uncanny and haunting tours of the exhibit as Dr. Victor Frankenstein on Fridays and Saturdays throughout October and dares you to join him.  

Lewis describes the importance of celebrating women in science fiction and horror stating, "These genres allow us to reimagine the world. Through these stories, we can explore new planets, probe moral questions, and dream large. But many people don't know a woman, Mary Shelley, invented the science fiction novel when she created Frankenstein. Shelley took all the tragedy, anger, and injustice in her life and poured it into her work to create this timeless and haunting tale. The story of Frankenstein's monster reveals the story of Mary Shelley and that is what makes her monster truly human."

The exhibit will open on October 4, 2014, at 1:00 pm and will run through October 31, 2014. Women's Rights National Historical Park is located at 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, New York and is free and open to the public. Come join us to celebrate the season and experience the thrill and excitement of the human imagination.

For more information, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/wori or call [phone]. All sites within Women's Rights National Historical Park are free and open to the public.Follow the park's social media sites for Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/womensrightsnps) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/WomensRightsNPS) to learn more about our upcoming programs.