Will the United States be ready to celebrate its 2020 suffrage centennial in Seneca Falls, NY?

Clues to an answer to the above question may be found in the release of the first administrative wrap up of the history of the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, the key location for any celebration of 100 years of women voting in the United States. The 450-page publication, “‘All Men and Women are Created Equal’:  An Administrative History of Women’s Rights National Historic Park” has been researched and written by Dr. Rebecca Conard, Professor of History and Director of the Public History Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The book cites interviews with park officials, park records and federal agency archives to document the beginnings and growth of the national park in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, N.Y. between 1976 and 2011.  The book includes maps, photographs, charts and appendices. An electronic summary is available.

The report abstract noted:

The report is a welcome contribution for those of us supporting and promoting the celebration of suffrage centennials. It should be noted, however, that New York State has not yet started planning its 2017 state suffrage centennial, and there is no official commitment (so far) to make it a priority. In addition, projects requiring Congressional funding have come to a standstill. They include the creation and funding of a Harriet Tubman national park and the “Votes for Women” federal heritage trail located in the Finger Lakes region, or what is also referred to as the “Cradle” of the U.S. women’s rights movement.

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