EXHIBITS AT THE BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
Renovation and Restoration
The restoration and renovation of the SBA Birthplace began in 2006 and continued through 2009. During that time much of the original structure was revealed and renewed. The original foundation timber, frame and floors were a gift to Daniel from his father, Humphrey.
Quaker Life
Susan B. Anthony’s family came from six generations of Quakers, or The Society of Friends. This religion was brought from England through the followers of founder, George Fox.
In 17th century colonial America, the Quakers were persecuted. However, after the American Revolution, they were increasingly tolerated despite their renunciation of war and military service. Their life of strict simplicity called them to abstain from dancing, alcohol, and generally tobacco; they renounced ritual, art, music, sacraments and clergy.
Hearth & Home
“The cooking for the family of sixteen was done on the hearth in front of the fire-place and in a big brick oven at the side.”
The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony Vol. 1 By: Ida Husted Harper
View the hearth, carefully researched and reconstructed, which served as the main gathering space during the daily routine of the Anthony family.
*The family of sixteen included the working mill girls who resided in the Anthony home.
Daniel Anthony's Store
Daniel Anthony, Susan's father, ran a small rural store out of the family home to supply the needs of his textile workers. During restoration, the store was recreated the way it may have been in 1817.
The Legacy Room
Learn about the various themes exhibited in the Legacy room by scrolling down below.
The Birthing Room
The Birthing Room is considered by some to be one of the most poignant of the museum exhibits. Within the four walls is where Adams' most famous resident was born. Out its window in winter one can see Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, which overlooks the small Berkshire mill town of Adams.
The Portrait Gallery
Guiding forces, family members, close friends... view the portrait gallery to familiarize yourself with the faces associated with Susan and the Suffrage movement.
The Anthony Homestead
Discover how Susan B Anthony’s family home was transformed from home to museum. It stands as a memorial for Ms. Anthony and all of the Anthony Descendants through a timeline and photograph display.
The Legacy Room Exhibits
Timeline
Visitors will have the opportunity to view Susan's life at a glance, through a detailed timeline with historical images.
Artifacts Collection
Take a look at our artifacts collection, complete with authentic period pieces, such as, Dolls, Ribbons, Figurines, Buttons, Kitchenware, Suffrage Memorabilia and Textiles. Items are added to the collection throughout the year, so stop back and take a peek to see what's new.
Ephemera
Ephemera are authentic printed materials or paper items that have endured over time and used as historical documentation.
The Susan B Anthony Birthplace Museum collection includes suffrage postcards, bookmarks, paper napkins, playing cards, brochures, and meeting notices, which provide insight into the issues for which early women advocated.
TEMPERANCE
What was the temperance movement and who was involved? Learn how Susan B. Anthony became interested in Temperance and how it shaped her character and her journey to become the iconic feminist role model.
ABOLITION
The first recorded vote against slavery in America was on February 18, 1688 at a Society of Friends meeting in Germantown, PA. With this kind of Quaker influence the Anthony family was firmly set in the belief of equal treatment for all. Learn how Susan B. Anthony became acquainted with and joined individuals such as Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison to end slavery - even if it meant postponing securing the right for women to vote.
Learn when the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were enacted. What are their differences? How are they similar? What effect did their passage have on the women's movement and the impact of racism?
OPPOSITION TO RESTELLISM (Opposition to Abortion)
Restellism stems from the infamous mid 19th century abortionist Madame Restell. Her trade was condemned unanimously by early feminists. The exhibit features copies of The Revolution, the newspaper owned and managed by Susan B Anthony, in which 120 letters, articles, and editorials speak out against Restellism and are the basis for the exhibit. Please view a selection of these articles here.
The exhibit also features portraits of the first women doctors who went into the medical profession to counter the negative impression of Restellism, and to support pregnant women.
THE REVOLUTION
The Revolution was published in January 1868 through May of 1870. The Birthplace has one of the largest collections in the country of The Revolution. Click here to view a selection of articles published in The Revolution.
SUFFRAGE
The road to suffrage was neither quick nor without sacrifice yet Susan pressed on. The 14th constitutional amendment had bluntly stated that a vote could be cast by a "male", regardless of color. As Susan worked to promote the right of a woman to vote, she led and worked with organizations and beside individuals such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Matilda Joselyn Gage - to name a few.
Not all women were content with the idea of women voting. The opposition launched a campaign of "Anti-Suffrage" led often by wealthy women and men but expanded to include all socioeconomic levels. This exhibit features ephemera (paper based artifacts), political pins, ribbons, postcards, and much more.
SBA AMMENDMENT: Winning the Vote
Women were not 'given' the right to vote in 1920. Rather, it was an inalienable right that they made manifest through hard work. While Susan's role as an active pioneer continued to the last month of her life, her colleagues and friends saw the fight to its fruition. The Nineteenth Amendment would be proclaimed on August 26th, 1920.
The exhibit features artifacts from the period following Susan B. Anthony's death, including the names of Massachusetts women who were jailed for the cause.
It was to be forever known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.