National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House Commemorates Susan B. Anthony’s Death and Legacy
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House will host a ceremonial wreath hanging on the front steps of 17 Madison Street, the National Historic Landmark that was Susan B. Anthony’s home and headquarters, on March 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
The brief ceremony commemorates the 118th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s death and will include remarks by Anthony Museum President & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes.
In every election year, we are reminded that Susan B. Anthony is as relevant as she’s ever been, even 118 years after her death. Come join us as we celebrate the life and accomplishments of this remarkable woman who called Rochester her home.
This event will feature the world premiere of music composed for the event by Mina Esary in collaboration with the ROCmusic students, performed by fivebyfive and the students. This new work will be the catalyst for a community talk-back about the complicated dimensions of the suffrage movement: the history of the movement, who was included, who was excluded, and what work is still needed.
Community talk-back panelists include:
Jean Elisabeth Pedersen – Associate Professor of History at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester
Deborah Hughes – President and CEO of the Susan B. Anthony Museum and House
Cona Marshall – Assistant Professor in Religious Studies and African and African American Studies at the University of Rochester
Kathryn Murano Santos – Senior Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Rochester Museum and Science Center
The event will be virtual and will feature three parts:
1) A video premiere of a new work by composer Mina Esary which will feature students from the ROCMusic Collaborative with fivebyfive
2) A community talkback
3) An optional socially distanced neighborhood walk in the Susan B. Anthony district
Susan B. Anthony has been spotted in Canada, and there have been sightings on Pinterest and murmurs online, but even fans at her home base at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in Rochester, New York, have had to squelch rumors that the old girl was soon to arrive on doorsteps across the United States in a new, but familiar form. Today, inside sources at the Anthony Museum revealed the breaking news that Mattel™ is about to induct Susan B. Anthony into their Inspiring Women™ line in the form of a signature Barbie® doll.
The Anthony Museum has been keeping the secret for months. “We were delighted that the design team from Mattel™ reached out to us early in the project, demonstrating their interest in a doll and packaging that would reflect Susan B. Anthony’s life and work, and that would launch in this historically significant year when we celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s 200th birthday, the 19th Amendment, and the Anthony Museum’s 75th anniversary,” says Deborah L. Hughes, president & CEO of the Anthony Museum.
“While Barbie may have started as a teenage fashion model in 1959, she has evolved over the decades into a feminist role model, most recently with a 2020 Barbie presidential candidate who is Black and has a diverse campaign staff,” says Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, curator of dolls at The Strong National Museum of Play, home to the National Toy Hall of Fame. “It’s only fitting in this year of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, that Barbie has now taken on the role of representing Susan B. Anthony.”
Lynn Sherr, journalist and author of Failure is Impossible, says, “Such a useful little likeness of our first suffrage felon! Add a ‘Failure is Impossible’ button with a ‘Votes for Women’ sash, and the suffragist who once playfully explained her decision not to marry – she didn’t want to be ‘a drudge or a doll’ – is an organizing tool for the next generation. Better yet, give her a ballot!”
Esteemed Susan B. Anthony biographer, Ann Gordon, lends another perspective. “You can almost hear her speak, ‘Yes, your honor, I have many things to say.’ She is still telling us to get ‘a citizen’s right to vote.’”
The Barbie® Signature Susan B. Anthony Inspiring Women™ Doll has already been sighted at the Anthony Museum. The doll officially launches on October 5, but a limited number are currently available through the Anthony Museum online shop at shop.susanb.org.
Questions related to this doll launch may be directed to pr@susanb.org.
ROCHESTER, NY- The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House announced today that it will reopen its doors to the public for tours on July 1, 2020.
“In line with New York State Phase 4 Guidelines for historical sites, the Anthony Museum is pleased to announce it will reopen to the public for tours on July 1, 2020,” said Deborah L. Hughes, President & CEO.
“In following New York State guidelines, the Anthony Museum is working to ensure appropriate public health and physical distancing measures are put in place for the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors,” Hughes said. “We are pleased to be able to offer tours in this historic year, and know that online advance sales of tours will be an important part of facilitating this.”
In addition to the advance online sales of admission tickets, safety measures will include appropriate queue management, one-way traffic flow, and increased cleaning of facilities, as well as an introduction of hand sanitizer stations. Certain areas of the National Historic Landmark home and its Visitor Center will be off-limits to guests because of narrow spaces that make safe physical distancing impossible.
The Anthony Museum will continue to follow and review up-to-date recommendations from New York State, and will modify reopening plans if necessary.
Advance online reservations will be available to book starting June 30. Please note that the Anthony Museum will be closed on July 4th in observance of the July 4th holiday.
Click here for information on reopening and for a link to online reservations.
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House proudly presents the 17th season of its popular Monday Lecture Series. January 2020’s featured speaker is Dr. Brianna Theobald, Professor of History, University of Rochester, who will present “Native American Women and the Fight for Reproductive Justice.”
This presentation is offered in the Anthony Museum Carriage House as a lecture and catered lunch at noon ($35) and as a lecture and informal tea at 2 pm (SOLD OUT). Click here for registration.
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House proudly presents the 17th season of its popular Monday Lecture Series. December’s featured speaker is Dr. Catherine Cerulli, Director of Susan B. Anthony Center and the Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence and Victimization, University of Rochester, who will present “Intimate Partner Violence:Past & Present.”
This presentation is offered in the Anthony Museum Carriage House as a lecture and catered lunch at noon ($35) and as a lecture and informal tea at 2 pm (SOLD OUT). Click here for registration.
Route: W. Main St. to the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, 17 Madison St., Rochester, NY
Stay After the Parade for the Block Party in Susan B. Anthony Park
11:00 am–2:00 pm
Organize! Agitate! Educate!
Featuring
MUSIC
Madeleine McQueen | Sarah Long Hendershot and Dan Hoh | Connie Deming
Artists Coalition for Change Together
The Raging Grannies
Games and activities for kids
Art Force 5—students from Alfred University—will create a mosaic of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Join them to paint a tile and learn about the big picture in the process!
Meet Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and other celebrated role models!
Food Trucks
Wraps on Wheels • Dillicious Eats • Neighborhood Catering
Rochester, NY – In light of recent events in the world of American politics, the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House today reiterated its nonpartisan educational mission to inspire and challenge individuals, through Susan B Anthony’s life and work, to make a positive difference in their lives and communities.
Today, presidential candidate, Donald Trump, announced his intention to create a “pro-life coalition” headed by Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List. This coalition would work to support Mr. Trump’s previously declared commitments to the anti-abortion movement and to encourage voter turnout in key battleground states. The Susan B. Anthony List is a 501(c)(4) organization. Along with its affiliated political action committee, the SBA List Candidate Fund, this organization has long raised concerns for the Anthony Museum and those dedicated to protecting the legacy of the great reformer. Neither organization is in any way affiliated or in partnership with the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House.
“Not only does the Museum maintain a nonpartisan perspective,” said president and CEO, Deborah L. Hughes, “but it would not be in keeping with Susan B. Anthony’s legacy to endorse a political candidate. We are pleased that this once-reviled woman has earned such a high place of honor and authority that individuals and organizations seek her as their champion, but the National Susan B Anthony Museum & House is here to tell the authentic story of her life and work, rather than to use her name for a political agenda.”
The National Susan B Anthony Museum & House, a 501(c)(3) educational entity, is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Anthony’s life and work in a historically accurate and responsible manner. It is not affiliated with any other organization bearing the name of Susan B Anthony.
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Please send any inquiries re: this statement to president & CEO, Deborah L. Hughes.