Yesterday, as part of my birthday celebration, my husband and I went to the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, NY. We live quite close to Rochester, but for some reason had simply never made the time to go.
I was actually really surprised to learn just how little I knew about Susan B. Anthony and the women’s suffrage movement. For example, I didn’t know that she fought to have women’s suffrage included in the Fifteenth Amendment, but was denied this by black suffrage leaders. I also was not aware just how long the fight for suffrage took– over 50 years– or that western, currently Red states (like Utah!) were among the first to give women the right to vote.
It was a really cool experience. Unfortunately, many parts of the house are currently undergoing restoration efforts, so things weren’t perfect. But there was something magical about seeing the home that one of history’s most famous and brave feminists lived, and a place where other famous civil rights leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Fredrick Douglas regularly frequented. The house was a feminist hub in its day and is without a doubt an important piece of feminist history. I definitely urge you to visit, if you’re ever in the area.
Photos are after the jump!
This was Susan B. Anthony’s living room. It is also the room where she was arrested for voting illegally, making it a proud piece of feminist history:
Susan B. Anthony’s bedroom. She died in this room, and in this actual bed:
Susan B. Anthony’s typewriter. I like to think that if she were alive in modern times, she would be a blogger :)
And finally, me and “Susan” outside of the house:
{ 8 comments }
That’s awesome! My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Rochester, actually. We want to see the SBA house and the Toy museum. Hee.
How very cool!
Hey Roy, you should definitely check out the SBA house, and probably the George Eastman house, too!
And maybe arrange for us to meet up for coffee (or whatever)! :)
We were amazed by just how many cool things there are in Rochester. Which is nice, because Rochester falls pretty much midway between our respective homes.
If/when we get out that way, I’ll definitely let you know. =D
SBA would totally be a blogger. Thanks for the photos!
how neat!
That must have been a fun birthday outing! I’d like to see the SBA house.
COME VISIT :)
Cara -
I LOVED the SBA house! I visited it once when I lived in Rochester for 2 years. It was one of the last things I did before moving back to CA and it was so amazing. To actually be standing in her house was just an incredible feeling.
BTW, you are doing an awesome job on Feministing! :-)
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