Fire at Our National Landmark

by Deborah L. Hughes, President & CEO

We had a fire at the National Landmark Susan B. Anthony House last night. Fortunately, fire damage was limited to the back porch, where the fire started. Our surveillance cameras show an individual at the back door moments before the flames broke out. Our fire detection system triggered an alarm and the Rochester Fire Department arrived in minutes.

We are so grateful to Chief Joseph Luna and the amazing team of firefighters who managed to contain the fire quickly before it spread to the interior of the building. They exceeded all protocols to keep the House and its historic contents safe from the fire, smoke, and water damage. This might have been a tragic loss of a national historic treasure. Instead, it is a story of a job well done by first responders who care deeply about life, our community, and our cultural heritage.


To read about the fire in the media, click on a link below.

WXXI coverage

CNN coverage


Deborah L. Hughes to Speak at Arizona State University

On Thursday, March 29, Deborah L. Hughes will present Interpreting a 19th Century Icon for the 21st Century: The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House at Arizona State University, Institute for Humanities Research, Tempe, Arizona.  That afternoon she will talk about the challenges involved in running a museum dedicated to the women’s rights icon and that is itself an historical landmark. She will also discuss the museum’s efforts to make its collections more accessible to 21st century audiences.

Hughes is president, CEO, and executive director of the Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester, New York, a position she’s held since 2007. Hughes has a degree in religious studies from University of Oregon and a graduate degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.


The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House interprets the legacy of the great reformer to inspire and challenge individuals to make a positive difference in their lives and communities. We preserve and share the National Historic Landmark that was her home and headquarters, collect and exhibit artifacts related to her life and work, and offer tours and interpretive programs to share her story with the world.