Month: August 2012

Rochester Red Wings President Naomi Silver to Kick off Susan B. Anthony Festival

Rochester, NY— Come to the annual Susan B. Anthony Festival on Saturday, August 18, 2012 from noon to 5 p.m. in the Susan B. Anthony Square Park between Madison and King streets in Rochester to celebrate the 92^nd anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women throughout the country the right to vote.

Naomi Silver, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Rochester Community Baseball (Rochester Red Wings), will kick off the event at noon with a presentation in the park. Music and entertainment will be provided throughout the afternoon in the park by various groups, including the Rochester Raging Grannies, a group that promotes peace, justice, and social and economic equality through song and dance, the SWAN (South West Area Neighborhood) Band, String Theory and others.

Food vendors and unique crafts vendors will sell their goods in the park.

Authentic nineteenth-century base ball (it was actually two words when it first began in the 19^th century!) demonstrations will be provided by Genesee Country Village’s women base ball team, in period costumes, following the rules and etiquette of the game as it was played in the 1800s.

Walking tours of this historic 19^th century Historic Preservation District will also be offered. Tours of the Anthony House will be available beginning at 11 a.m. at the special admission price that day only of $5.00 for adults.

The event is presented by the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association and the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. Deborah L. Hughes, president and CEO of the Anthony House, said, “This annual event is close to our hearts because it recognizes the date—August 26, 1920—when the 19^th amendment was officially declared law by the Secretary of State after it was ratified by the required 36 states. It honors the women and men who struggled so long—over 72 years—and so hard—often at personal danger—to achieve equality for women. Many of those who worked so fervently in the cause, including Susan B. Anthony, did not live to see the amendment finally ratified. We thank them each year with this festival.” Dawn Noto, president of the Susan B. Anthony Neighborhood Association, said, “The neighbors invite everyone to come visit this incredible preservation district. See the major renovation and construction work that is taking place on West Main Street.  See one of the last intact 19^th-century neighborhoods in the region—see Rochester history come to life.”

For more information, please go to www.susanbanthonyhouse.org

Mission Statement (adopted 4/2010): The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House preserves the National Historic Landmark where the great reformer lived for 40 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 National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is supported primarily through the contributions of its members and donors. It is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.