Rochester — The Suffragette Oath

Your investigation begins at the Susan B. Anthony House, acquired by the activist in 1866. This residence, built in the 1850s, served as the headquarters for the National American Woman Suffrage Association during the 40 years Anthony lived there, until her death in 1906. It was here that suffragist campaigns were planned, speeches prepared, and petitions drafted, making this site Rochester's first National Historic Landmark in 1985. You will discover personal artifacts, testaments to her commitment to women's rights and abolitionism.

A short walk away, the Unitarian Church of Rochester, located at 150 S Clinton Ave, reveals another facet of New York's history. Built in the 1830s, this church was an essential link in Rochester's abolitionist network. Figures like Frederick Douglass, orator and abolitionist, and other suffragists frequented the premises between the 1840s and 1870s. Its proximity to Anthony's home illustrates the convergence of struggles for civil and women's rights during this pivotal period in American history.

Your journey then leads you to Susan B. Anthony Square, where the 'Let’s Have Tea' statue stands. Installed in 2020, this work depicts Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass in conversation, commemorating their friendship and debates on women's rights and abolitionism. This location, near Anthony's home on Madison Street, embodies the constant dialogue and strategic alliances that shaped the movement. The 1872 Café, at 17 Madison Street, marks the exact spot where Susan B. Anthony illegally voted on November 5, 1872, an act commemorated by a bronze ballot box.

Continue to the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, whose main building, constructed in 1936 at 115 South Ave, houses archival treasures. Its collections contain valuable documents on the suffragist and abolitionist movements, including the papers of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association. These resources, used for in-depth historical research, will allow you to deepen your understanding of the strategies and personalities that marked this intense period in Rochester's history.

Your journey concludes at Rochester City Hall, erected in 1873-1874 in Second Empire style at 30 Church St. This building, whose tower stands approximately 50 meters high, was the scene of numerous suffragist meetings and public speeches in the 1870s-1890s. It represents the institutional setting where activists like Jean Brooks Greenleaf, president of the NYS Woman Suffrage Association, fought to make their voices heard. By exploring these historical sites and following the Women's Suffrage Trail, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Rochester, New York's commitment to the struggle for equality.