Remember Susan B. Anthony on March 13

sba_fullOn March 13, 1906, at forty minutes past midnight, Susan B. Anthony died at the age of 86 in her own bed on the second floor of the house on Madison Street, her home of 40 years.

At her request, much of the ceremonial mourning of the day was not observed: no shades were drawn, no black crepe hung. Only a simple wreath of violets was placed on the front door. For two days, close friends and family came to call. Then on March 15, the world said good-bye at an immense funeral held in Central Presbyterian Church (now the Hochstein School of Music). Amid a raging blizzard, thousands of mourners filled the church and over ten thousand more passed by her flag-draped coffin that was flanked by an honor guard of women students from the University of Rochester—the school she’d finally opened up to them in 1901. Next to the coffin was a silk suffrage flag with four gold stars, representing the only states where women then could vote; pinned on her breast was a jeweled flag pin with four diamond stars, a gift from women of Wyoming, the first in our nation to win the vote, thanks to all of her efforts on their behalf.IMG_3042

The Rochester newspaper of the day reported: “Rochester made no secret of its personal grief. There must have been people of every creed, political party, nationality, and plane of life in those long lines that kept filing through the aisles of Central Church. The young and the aged of the land were represented. Every type was there to bow in reverence, respect and grief. Professional men, working men, financiers came to offer homage. Women brought little children to see the face of her who had aimed at being the emancipator of her sex, but whose work had ended just as victory seemed within reach. Priests, ministers…, rabbis …, came to look upon her who had more than once given them inspiration in dark moments.”

The service in the church lasted an hour and a half. It took another 2 or more hours for the thousands of mourners to file past the coffin. Finally, in late afternoon, with the snowstorm still raging, Susan B’s most intimate friends and relatives accompanied her to her final resting place in Mt. Hope Cemetery. There, beneath a simple white stone engraved only with her name and dates, she was laid to rest. The final words were spoken by her dear friend, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, who in tender and reverent voice, pronounced these solemn words: “Dear friend, thou hast tarried with us long; thou has now gone to thy well-earned rest. We beseech the Infinite Spirit who has upheld thee to make us worthy to follow in thy steps and carry on the work. Hail and farewell.”

Some years earlier, during a family reunion at her birthplace in Adams, Massachusetts, Susan B. Anthony had written her own epitaph. As the family gathered out in the yard on a glorious summer day, amid the horse-drawn carriages of all those who had come to call, someone remarked that the scene looked like a funeral. Anthony immediately replied:

“When it is a funeral, remember that I want there should be no tears.
Pass on, and go on with the work.”

Please join us for a memorial wreath ceremony on Monday, March 13, at 11:45 am. The short ceremony will be followed by a Lunch and Lecture in our Carriage House (that event is sold out). The wreath hanging is free and open to the public. Dress for the weather.

Anthony Museum Raises Concern over Continued Misuse of Anthony’s Name and Legacy

Rochester, NY – In light of recent events in the world of American politics, the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House today reiterated its nonpartisan educational mission to inspire and challenge individuals, through Susan B Anthony’s life and work, to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.

 

Today, presidential candidate, Donald Trump, announced his intention to create a “pro-life coalition” headed by Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List. This coalition would work to support Mr. Trump’s previously declared commitments to the anti-abortion movement and to encourage voter turnout in key battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List is a 501(c)(4) organization. Along with its affiliated political action committee, the SBA List Candidate Fund, this organization has long raised concerns for the Anthony Museum and those dedicated to protecting the legacy of the great reformer. Neither organization is in any way affiliated or in partnership with the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House.

 

“Not only does the Museum maintain a nonpartisan perspective,” said president and CEO, Deborah L. Hughes, “but it would not be in keeping with Susan B. Anthony’s legacy to endorse a political candidate. We are pleased that this once-reviled woman has earned such a high place of honor and authority that individuals and organizations seek her as their champion, but the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House is here to tell the authentic story of her life and work, rather than to use her name for a political agenda.”

 

The National Susan B Anthony Museum & House, a 501(c)(3) educational entity, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Anthony’s life and work in a historically accurate and responsible manner. It is not affiliated with any other organization bearing the name of Susan B Anthony.

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Please send any inquiries re: this statement to president & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes.

Job Opening at the Anthony Museum

Volunteer Coordinator

National Susan B Anthony Museum & House

Position Description

 

Position Profile:

The National Susan B Anthony Museum & House preserves the National Historic Landmark where the great reformer lived for forty of her most politically active years, collects and exhibits artifacts related to her life and work, and offers programs through its Learning Center that challenge individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for an effective museum volunteer program designed to support a high quality visitor experience.

 

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Recruits, interviews, trains, and certifies museum volunteers

2. Develops training materials and other volunteer resources (in collaboration with Educator)

3. Fills, maintains, posts, and distributes the volunteer schedule

4. Produces a volunteer newsletter monthly (in collaboration with Communications staff)

5. Acts as liaison between volunteers and staff to facilitate good relations and communications

6. Develops and facilitates educational programs in collaboration with the Program Director or CEO

7. Assists in planning and securing volunteer staffing for educational and group programs

8. Facilitates volunteer enrichment programs and volunteer meetings

9. Plans the volunteer recognition program

10. Corresponds with volunteers as part of institutional outreach and goodwill toward volunteers

11. Attends weekly staff meetings to provide input on volunteer program and maintain communication with colleagues

12. Serves as “Visitor Center Manager” at the Visitor Center for designated shifts

 

Reports to: President and CEO

Employment Status: Part-time, Hourly

This position is budgeted for 19 hours per week, including 5-8 hours of “Visitor Center Manager” time.

 

To apply, send cover letter and resume with references to:

President & CEO

National Susan B Anthony Museum & House

17 Madison Street

Rochester, NY 14608

Anthony Museum Announces “VoteTilla” Event to Mark Suffrage Centennial

Rochester, NY – The National Susan B Anthony Museum & House has begun major plans to commemorate the centennial of woman suffrage in New York State in 2017. VoteTilla – a weeklong navigational celebration – will take place along the Erie Canal from July 16 – 22, 2017. A core group of canal boats will set out from Seneca Falls and travel to Rochester, with a concluding celebration at the Anthony Museum on Madison Street.

Throughout the week, VoteTilla boats will dock at several towns and villages along the route. Local residents and partner organizations are invited to share in the celebration by offering programming and excursions or by adding their own boats to the traveling fleet. Current partners include Bristol Valley Theatre, Canal Society of New York State, the City of Rochester, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the RIT Women’s and Gender Studies Coordinating Committee, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Susan B Anthony Neighborhood Association, the Seward House, and the University of Rochester’s Susan B Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership.

Superintendent Ami Ghazala stated, “The National Park Service at Women’s Rights National Historical Park is thrilled to partner with women’s organizations in the Finger Lakes. We strive to bring attention to historical and current stories that highlight the diversity of the United States.”

National Women’s Hall of Fame president Jeanne Giovannini stated, “This consortium will strengthen the ties and collaboration among these cultural and historical organizations, helping to bring national and international attention to the Finger Lakes Region for its significance and place in our nation’s history in the promotion of human rights.”

“VoteTilla will be a vivid reminder of the work and cooperation required to secure the vote for women,” says Anthony Museum president & CEO, Deborah L Hughes. “Educational, historical, and civic organizations and community members of all ages can come together to host events, greet the passing boats, and participate in special events, on both land and water.”

The VoteTilla celebration immediately follows both the July 4th Bicentennial Celebration of the New York State Canals and the Convention Days weekend in Seneca Falls.

For information on partnering with the Anthony Museum for this special event, please email or call our office at 585/279-7490.

Anthony Museum 2017-18 Monday Lecture Series

 


September 18, 2017    A Monument to Woman—The Woman Suffrage Statue. Sandra Weber, author and historian

November 13, 2017   Unknown Frederick Douglass: The Life & Times of New Washington City.  John H. Muller, DC Public Library, author, historian

December 4, 2017   Woman Suffrage & the New York Constitutional Conventions of 1846 & 1867-68. ​ Dr. Jenny Lloyd, History Professor Emerita, The College at Brockport

Women’s History Month special Tea – March 5, 2018   Margaret Fuller, the “Marriage Question,” & the Culture of Reform.  T. Gregory Garvey, Professor of English, College at Brockport

May 7, 2018  Funding Feminism: Following the Money in the Woman Suffrage Movement.   Dr. Joan Marie Johnson, historian

June 18, 2018   Spiritualists, Suffragists, & Other Nasty Women of the Mid-19th Century.  Dr. Amy Lehman, Associate Professor, Theater and Dance, University of South Carolina

Each presentation is offered in our Carriage House as a noon luncheon ($30 individual reservation) or 2 pm informal tea ($15 individual reservation), except for our Women’s History Month presentation on March 5, 2018, which will only be offered as a lecture and tea ($25).

To make your reservation, click here.

Agenda – 2016 19th Amendment Celebration

The 19th Amendment Celebration
in the Susan B Anthony Neighborhood

August 21, 2016

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

National Susan B Anthony Museum & House

17 Madison Street, Rochester NY

 

11:00 AM

Meet & Greet at the 1872 Monument (1872 Cafe, 431 W. Main St)

Performance by Mariedeliz Bain as Susan B. Anthony

Stroll from the 1872 Cafe down W. Main Street to the Anthony Museum

 

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Self-Guided Tours of the historic Susan B. Anthony House ($5 per person)

Voter Registration Drive with the League of Women Voters (Rochester Metro Area)

 

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

“Original Artifacts from the Susan B. Anthony and New York State Campaigns”

Exhibit of women’s suffrage memorabilia by Dr. Ken Florey

 

12:00 Noon

Welcome & Proclamations

from the porch of the Anthony House

 

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Musicians and Historic Reenactors

on the Museum Grounds

 

1:00 PM and 3:00 PM

Guided Walking Tours of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood

by Dawn Noto

 

Members Only Event with Dr. Ken Florey

Dr. Ken Florey (provided photo)
Dr. Ken Florey
(provided photo)

Members of the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House are invited for a special member-only event with Dr. Ken Florey on the evening of Friday, August 19!

Professor Kenneth Florey is a long-time specialist in Woman Suffrage Memorabilia, his collection having been recognized both here and abroad for its comprehensiveness. He has published two books on suffrage: Women’s Suffrage Memorabilia: an Illustrated Historical Study and American Women Suffrage Postcards: a Study and Catalog.

All members are invited to a reception with Dr. Florey at 6:30 pm in the Carriage House behind the Visitor Center at 17 Madison Street and to view his exhibit Original Artifacts from the Susan B. Anthony & New York State Campaigns. You will also have an opportunity to purchase his books for signing!

As space is very limited, please let our Membership Director, Lesia Telega, know as soon as possible but no later than August 12, if you will be able to join us! She can be contacted via phone at 585.279.7490 x12 or email at lesia.telega@susanbanthonyhouse.org.