Join the Bergen County Historical Society for A Celebration of Women’s History.

Historical balladeer Linda Russell begins at 1:30 pm (note time change) in the state historic 1752 Steuben House for “Remember the Ladies: A History of American Women in Song”. The role of women’s lives in society from the 18th century to the 19th amendment is highlighted in popular song. Playing mountain and hammered dulcimers and guitar, Linda sings broadsides, laments, murder ballads, love songs, parlor melodies and suffrage anthems. The songs reflect the changing status of women in society.  Interspersed with the music are excerpts from women’s diaries and letters. Included will be stories of Deborah Samson, who fought as a soldier in Washington’s army, and New Jersey women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton who lived in Tenafly, Lucy Stone from Orange and Alice Paul from Mount Laurel - all of whom led the fight for Women’s Suffrage.

Samantha Perkins, BCHS Trustee and Curator at Caramoor Center for Music & Arts in Katonah, NY, will give an illustrated talk at 3:00 pm:

In the fall of 1916, a tight presidential race between Democrat President Woodrow Wilson and Republican candidate Charles Evans Hughes emerged. To win, the Republican party sought to attract the four million eligible women voters in the twelve states where women could vote for the president (as the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote nationwide was not ratified until August 18, 1920): Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, California, Oregon, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Kansas, and Illinois. How to do this? By sending a train full of women supporters to campaign for Hughes on a tour through the country, targeting the female audience in these twelve suffrage states. Critics at the time and some later historians have argued that the efforts of these pioneering political women backfired and contributed to Hughes's election loss.

To what extent is this true? Who were these campaigning women and why did they support Hughes over President Wilson? How well were they received at political rallies in these western states compared to the east? What were the factors that made the critics seem extra critical of them including nicknaming the train the "Billion Dollar Special"?

Just some of the artifacts on display in the Steuben House is a photo essay of women in Bergen County who have made a difference, new exhibits including 12 year old Elsie Cole's 1845 girls needlework, one of our jacquard coverlets made for Rachel Demarest & NJ pottery, a new hard cover book of enslaved documents from our manuscript collection (not for sale) and Revolutionary War artifacts from the society’s extensive collection throughout the museum site.

All three-18th century Jersey Dutch sandstone houses are open for tours throughout the day.

Take a peek at the treasures in the gift shop while you enjoy seasonal refreshments which will be available for purchase inside the tavern.

Don’t forget to visit the society’s authentic Jersey Dutch out-kitchen where interpreters will be preparing bean soup, spiced potatoes, and chocolate cake using recipes from the 1886 Suffrage Cookbook that every woman; if she could not participate in protests and marches, felt she was supporting the cause.

Activities for families include weaving potholders and the society’s QR Code cell phone-based scavenger hunt.

Ticket reservations are encouraged: $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. We may be raising our admission prices so make you reservations now.

Free parking available on site or take the NJ Transit’s train to “New Bridge Landing” train stop on the Pascack Valley line and walk one block north and east.

Dogs are permitted on site on a leash but not in the houses.

For ticket reservations and additional information visit the society’s website www.bergencountyhistory.org, email bergencountyhistory@gmail.com, or call 201-343-9492 and leave a message. Sunday, March 24th 1 pm- 4:30 pm at Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge NJ.

The event is subject to change.