Museum remembers the passing of an icon

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.

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.”

IMG_3042Please join us for a memorial wreath ceremony on Sunday, March 13, at 11:00 am. The short ceremony will be followed at 12:30 pm by A Conversation with the CEO in our Carriage House. Anthony Museum president & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes, will provide an update and lead a discussion of future plans for the Museum. Both events are free and open to the public.

All general public tours will be available at the student rate of $5.00 that day only (members are always complimentary).

Sold Out Crowd for 2016 Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon

Layout 1Rochester, NY – Billie Jean King and Susan B. Anthony have proved a winning combination! Thanks to an overwhelming and enthusiastic response, the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is pleased to announce that the 2016 Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon is officially sold out. This milestone, ten days before the event, is the earliest ever for this annual luncheon.

The Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon is held each year in mid-February to celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s February 15th birthday, to honor contemporary women who continue her legacy, and to raise awareness of the educational and inspirational programs offered by the Museum.

This year’s event will be held on February 10th at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center at noon.

Questions related to this event may be directed to luncheon@susanbanthonyhouse.org.

Media inquiries may be directed to Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, Director of Communications, at 585/279-7490 x 15 or sarah.abbamonte@susanbanthonyhouse.org.

Billie Jean King to deliver keynote address

BJK headshot 2013_2_ Andrew Coppa Photography (3)Rochester, NY – The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is proud to announce that the keynote speaker for the 2016 Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon is Billie Jean King, sports icon, humanitarian, and champion of equal rights.

The annual luncheon will be held Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

A native of Southern California, Billie Jean King has won thirty-nine Grand Slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles during her tennis career. She famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match. King is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, which seeks to address inclusion and diversity issues in the workplace, and the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor, and, in 2010, was appointed to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

King’s accomplishments, both on and off the court, make her the perfect candidate to speak on the 2016 luncheon theme, Making History, a celebration of the many ways in which women leave their mark and inspire today’s women.

“When Billie Jean King entered the national tennis scene, it was commonly believed that women were inferior as athletes and competitors,” noted Anthony Museum president & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes. “She has been making history and fighting for equal rights for half a century. We are thrilled to bring her to Rochester, to honor her, and to challenge and inspire our audience.”

The Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon is held each year in mid-February to celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s February 15th birthday, to honor contemporary women who continue her legacy, and to raise awareness of the educational and inspirational programs offered by the Museum.

Questions related to this event may be directed to luncheon@susanbanthonyhouse.org.

*******

UPDATE 2/1/16: Tickets for this event have SOLD OUT! Thank you for your enthusiastic support!

Anthony Museum 2015-16 Monday Lecture Series

Monday Lecture SeriesThe National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is pleased to present the 13th season of its popular Monday Lecture Series!

This season’s exciting line-up includes guest speakers covering a wide range of topics related to the life, work, and legacy of Susan B. Anthony.

Each presentation is offered as a noon luncheon ($25) or 2 pm informal tea ($15) in our Carriage House.

Space is limited and these programs do sell out! Make your reservations for one lecture or the whole season!

To register, please call our office at 585/279-7490 x 10 or reserve online today!


2015 – 2016 Monday Lecture Series

September 28, 2015

Encouraging the Actions of Nobler Spirits: The Life of Frances Seward           Lunch is SOLD OUT!!!

Jennifer Haines, Manager of Educational Programs, Genesee Country Village and Museum

 

October 5, 2015

Bringing Susan B. Anthony into Modern Day

Dr. Catherine Cerulli, Director, Susan B. Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership, University of Rochester

 

November 16, 2015

The British Suffragettes                 Lunch is SOLD OUT!!!

Dr. Jennifer Lloyd, Associate Professor Emerita, the College at Brockport

 

December 14, 2015

The Other Woman: Alice Hay Wadsworth, President of the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage

Bruce Klee, former chair, Department of Dramatic Arts, SUNY Geneseo

 

January 11, 2016

First Come, Last Served: American Indian Voting Rights

Phil Weisberg, course leader, Osher LLL Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology

 

February 29, 2016

Susan B. Anthony, Hildegard of Bingen, and Getting Things Done

Dr. Honey Meconi, Professor of Music and Musicology, University of Rochester

 

March 21, 2016

Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and the Battle Over the 15th Amendment

Dr. Catherine Adams, Associate Professor of History, SUNY Geneseo

 

April 18, 2016

Stanton, Anthony, and Gage: Frenemies for Suffrage

Dr. Mary E. Corey, Associate Professor Emerita, the College at Brockport

 

May 9, 2016

Showcasing Great Women…Inspiring All! (includes book signing)

Jill Tietjen, historian and author

 

June 6, 2016

The Summer of 1848: Building a Women’s Rights Movement

Dr. Carol Faulkner, Professor of History, Syracuse University

 

Call 585/279-7490 x 10 or visit us online to reserve your seat today!

2015 Equality Day Celebration

Update 8/25/15:
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $15. Day-of tickets include a limited bbq menu and admission to Dr. Scott’s presentation.

 

Join the Anthony Museum and our neighbors as we celebrate Equality Day on Wednesday, August 26, from 5pm – 8pm.

Women’s Equality Day marks the anniversary of the date Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed into law the 19th Amendment, granting voting rights to women throughout the United States. Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced a bill in 1971 designating August 26th of each year as Women’s Equality Day, commemorating woman’s continuing fight for equal rights. Read President Obama’s 2014 proclamation.

This year’s event at the Anthony Museum will feature a presentation by Dr. Ruth Holland Scott, the first woman to serve as president of the Rochester City Council, and will be co-sponsored by Unkl Moe’s BBQ.

unklmoe

Tickets are $25.00 per person, which includes admission to Dr. Scott’s lecture, a complimentary guest pass to the Museum, and full bbq dinner menu. Space is limited. Call 585/279-7490 x 10 or order online to make your reservation today!

Annual Susan B. Anthony Festival set for August 16

Votes for Women portrayers
Photo Credit: Ellen Wheeler/National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

Rochester, NY – The 2015 Susan B. Anthony Festival will take place on Sunday, August 16, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Susan B. Anthony Square Park between Madison & King Streets. This annual event celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women throughout the country the right to vote. The amendment is commonly known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment”.

Live music and entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon in the Park. Food vendors and unique artisans will also be on hand. Free walking tours of this 19th century Historic Preservation District will also be offered, highlighting recent neighborhood developments including the Carriage Factory Apartments and public art murals. Tours of the Susan B. Anthony House will be available at a discounted cost from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Festival day.

This event is presented by the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association and the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. “This year’s festival kicks off an exciting time for the Museum with women’s suffrage centennials upcoming in 2017 for New York State and 2020 nationally,” said Anthony Museum President & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes. “With the national spotlight on this incredibly important period of our history, we continue our mission to inspire and challenge individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.”

Dawn Noto, President of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association, said, “The Susan B. Anthony Festival will celebrate the 95th anniversary of the vote this year. We are thrilled to showcase our community’s growth each year at this important celebration.”

July 4th Holiday Closing

The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House will be closed on Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Sunday, July 5, at 11:00 am.

We wish everyone a very happy & safe July 4th holiday!

Did you know that suffragists, including Susan B. Anthony, crashed the Centennial Celebration at Independence Hall on July 4, 1876? They presented a “Declaration of Rights of the Women of the United States”. To read more: http://ecssba.rutgers.edu/docs/decl.html

Votes for Women portrayers

Anthony Museum wins 2015 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor

Print_Logo_COE2015_ENThe National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a 2015 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com.

Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.

When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honorees that takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period as well as business’s tenure and ranking on the Popularity Index on the site. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Please visit our TripAdvisor page for more information.

Anthony Museum to host illustrator Nicole Tadgell

Nicole Tadgell
Photo courtesy of Nicole Tadgell

Rochester, NY – The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is pleased to welcome Nicole Tadgell, illustrator of Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, as our featured speaker for this year’s intergenerational Family Tea event.

Tadgell will lead guests on a special tour of 17 Madison Street, as seen through the eyes of a children’s book illustrator. Activities, refreshments, and a reading of the book will be held in our Carriage House following the tour.

“I was delighted to be able to visit the Susan B. Anthony House while doing research for the book, and enjoyed the tour very much,” says Tadgell. “It was wonderful to see Susan B. Anthony’s dress, work area, and see what her daily life was like.”

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 26, from 2pm to 4pm. The cost to attend is $25 per person. This price includes a signed copy of the book for each child. Additional copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Space is strictly limited for this special event. Reservations may be made online or by calling 585/279-7490 x 10. If you any questions about this event, please contact Program Director, Annie Callanan, by email or by calling 585-235-6124 x 19.