by Celia Love

Created on: April 25, 2008

PLACES WHERE WOMEN HAVE MADE HISTORY
Women have made history throughout time in so many ways. Through their fights for various rights they made history and made the places where these life changing events took place famous as well.

Seneca Falls, NY - The birth place of Women's Rights - considered by many to be the most important place in United States Womens History. The location of the first Women's Rights Convention held July 19th, 1848. The home town of Elizabeth Cody Stanton, who along with Lucretia Mott, organized the event. The National Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1969, in Seneca Falls. The Hall inducts distinguished women and offers programs and exhibits in Seneca Falls, New York's Finger Lake area, and Washington, D.C. The mission of the National Women's Hall of Fame is to honor women citizens of the United States who have contributed to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, philanthropy, science and more.

Since 1980, Seneca Falls, N.Y.has also been the site of the Women's Rights National Historic Park. The park features: A chapel where the 1848 convention was held; a 100 foot long wall engraved with the 'Declaration of Sentiments', an equal rights proclamation that was signed at the convention; and the house where Elizabeth Stanton (one of the the organizers of the event), lived with her family.

Emily Dickinson House, Amherst, Mass. - Poet Emily Dickinson was born in this house and lived most of her life there. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered hundreds of poems hidden throughout the house. Due to Lavinia's actions, the poems were published, and Dickinson is now regarded as one of the Greatest American Poets.

Harriet Tubman Home For The Aged, Auburn, N.Y. - For over a decade Harriet Tubman risked her life to help hundreds of slaves out of the South to freedom. Tubman was also a nurse and a scout during the Civil War. Her home for the Aged was her last major project. It is now a museum honoring Tubman's life and work.

Deadwood, South Dakota - made famous by Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok - Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok rode into the gold mining town of Deadwood in June, 1876. Hickok's residence there was short lived, he was shot there while playing poker two months later. Jane left the town the following year and returned a few years before her death in 1903. She was buried next to Hickok in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood. The entire city is now a National Historic Landmark. Gambling was legalized there in 1989, in an effort to encourage tourism.

The Jane Adams Hull House Museum, Chicago, Ill., founded by Jane Adams in 1889. One of the most famous of the 'Settlement Houses' that improved life for immigrant families in poor city neighborhoods. Hull House proved classes, job assistance, day care, and a place for labor unions to organize. As many other settlement houses', Hull House was staffed primarily by women.

These are just a few of many places in U.S. history that would be worthwhile to visit.

Learn more about this author, Celia Love.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.