Special Events

Join Women’s Rights NHP and Harriet Tubman NHP for Suffrage & Science Week on April 17-22, 2026!

NPS

Suffrage & Science Week

Women's Rights National Historical Park & Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
April 17 - 22, 2026

Calling all history and science enthusiasts and curious minds of all ages! Join Women’s Rights National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park for Suffrage & Science Week on April 17-22, 2026!

This special program explores the connections between the fight for women’s rights and equality and the natural and scientific world – just in time for Earth Day. Through special guest speakers, pop-up ranger programs, and family crafts and activities, discover the stories of women’s rights activists, freedom seekers, and female scientists who used environmental observation and scientific innovation to lead social reform. All programming will be hosted at Women’s Rights NHP, and is free and open to the public.

Women's Rights NHP is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Special activities will take place in the Visitor Center and historic Wesleyan Chapel, site of the 1848 First Women's Rights Convention.

 

Schedule of Events

Women’s Rights National Historical Park, including the Visitor Center and historic Wesleyan Chapel, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. All activities are free and open to the public.

 

Suffrage & Science Week: Timed Activities

Friday, April 17, 2026

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Drop-in Ranger Table Talk: “Science Beyond Spheres”

Visitor Center

Join a ranger to explore how women in the 1800s pushed beyond the boundaries of the expected “women’s sphere” to achieve scientific breakthroughs and pursue higher education. Learn about some of the challenges they faced and the lasting impact their contributions have on science and education today.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Harriet Tubman NHP Information Table & Activities

Visitor Center

Learn more about Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which is open seasonally and located in Auburn, NY. Join a ranger to learn more about Harriet Tubman as a Master Naturalist with a guided activity sheet and add your leaf to the growing “communi-tree!”

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Special Guest Talk by Patrick Stenshorn (Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor) - “From Suffrage to STEM: The Erie Canal’s Impact on the Women’s Rights Movement”

Guntzel Theater

This presentation examines how the Erie Canal served as a catalyst for the 19th‑century Women’s Suffrage Movement, highlighting the ways this transformative waterway expanded political, social, and economic opportunities for women. It will also explore how those increased opportunities along the canal opened new pathways for women to participate in scientific and technical fields, ultimately shaping broader movements for gender equality.

About the Presenter: Patrick Stenshorn is the Education Program Manager for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. He works with teachers and cultural organizations to develop K-12 resources about New York State's canals. He also manages a small grants program called "Ticket to Ride" which supports school field trips to canal related sites and museums. Patrick has a B.A. in history from SUNY Geneseo and a M.A. in American History from SUNY Brockport. He has previously held positions at Women's Rights National Historical Park and the Albany Institute of History & Art.

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Make-and-take Activity: Sun Prints

Visitor Center, outside under the pergola

In this hands-on sun print activity, watch as simple objects become stunning works of art with the power of the sun! Arrange natural materials like leaves and flowers onto light-sensitive paper, then let the sunlight do the rest. With the perfect blend of art, science, water, and sunlight, you’ll take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art inspired by the world around you.Please note that this is an outdoor and weather-dependent timed activity, only available while supplies last.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

 

Saturday, April 18, 2026

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Make-and-take Activity: Sun Prints

Visitor Center, outside under the pergola

In this hands-on sun print activity, watch as simple objects become stunning works of art with the power of the sun! Arrange natural materials like leaves and flowers onto light-sensitive paper, then let the sunlight do the rest. With the perfect blend of art, science, water, and sunlight, you’ll take home a one-of-a-kind piece of art inspired by the world around you.

Please note that this is an outdoor and weather-dependent timed activity, only available while supplies last.

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

12 p.m. – 4 p.m. “Science Fair” and Community Expo

Wesleyan Chapel

Enjoy a community expo - or “science fair” to be on theme - where you can meet-and-greet with local environmental, cultural, and community organizations. Discover the important work they do and explore fun, outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities across Central New York.

Tabling partners include:

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park - Join a ranger to learn more about Harriet Tubman as a Master Naturalist with a guided activity sheet and add your leaf to the growing “communi-tree!” Information about Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which is open seasonally and located in Auburn, NY, will also be available.

The Friends of Women's Rights NHP - Join volunteers from the Friends to make your own “Suffrage & Science” button to show you attended the event; and learn more about their work to support the park and its educational mission.

Seneca Falls Historical Society - Learn about Finger Lakes scientists with a fun matching game! The Seneca Falls Historical Society preserves the history of Seneca Falls and offers daily tours of their Queen Anne style, Victorian period mansion with three floors and 23 rooms.

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Special Author Talk by Rebecca Donnelly - “In the Air: Eunice Newton Foote's Great Experiment”

Guntzel Theater

Rebecca Donnelly's 2026 picture book biography Change Is in the Air: The Hidden Discoveries of Eunice Newton Foote, the First Climate Scientist introduces young readers to a remarkable 19th-century woman scientist. Learn about the life and times of upstate New York's own Eunice Newton Foote and why her work with carbon dioxide was so revolutionary.

About the Presenter: Rebecca Donnelly is the author of more than 40 books for young readers, including the Indies Introduce and Kids’ Indie Next pick How to Stage a Catastrophe and the School Library Journal Best Books of 2023 pick Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World. Born in the UK and raised in California, Rebecca worked in children’s library services for 14 years and now lives and writes in northern New York State. She is a NYSCA 2026 Individual Artist grantee.

2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Special Author Talk by Lindsay Metcalf - “Eunice Newton Foote: Science Meets Suffrage”

Guntzel Theater

Author Lindsay H. Metcalf explores how Eunice Newton Foote’s curiosity led her to uncover the heat-trapping properties of carbon dioxide in 1856.  Foote's advocacy for women’s equality—including signing the Declaration of Sentiments at the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls—positioned her at the crossroads of science and social change. This dynamic session reveals how Foote used science and activism to challenge the limits placed on women—and how curiosity can spark change today. 

About the Presenter: Lindsay H. Metcalf writes nonfiction and poetry for children and young adults while balancing her laptop on her lapdogs, Gus and Margarita. Her books, such as No Voice Too Small and Footeprint: Eunice Newton Foote at the Dawn of Climate Science and Women’s Rights, encourage young readers to use their voices and engage with the world around them. A former journalist, Lindsay lives in rural Kansas downwind of the neighborhood cows with her husband and two teen sons who remain unimpressed with Lindsay’s writing awards—not even the International Literacy Association’s Social Justice Literature Award or the Green Earth Book Award.   

 

3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. America's National Park Store Book Signings with Rebecca Donnelly and Lindsay Metcalf

America's National Park Store

Meet-and-greet and book signings with special guest authors: Lindsay Metcalf and Rebecca Donnelly.  Copies of Footeprint: Eunice Newton Foote at the Dawn of Climate Science and Women’s Rights by Lindsay Metcalf and Change Is in the Air: The Hidden Discoveries of Eunice Newton Foote, the First Climate Scientist by Rebecca Donnelly are now available for purchase at America's National Park Store.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Drop-in Ranger Table Talk: “Science Beyond Spheres”

Visitor Center

Join a ranger to explore how women in the 1800s pushed beyond the boundaries of the expected “women’s sphere” to achieve scientific breakthroughs and pursue higher education. Learn about some of the challenges they faced and the lasting impact their contributions have on science and education today.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Harriet Tubman NHP Information Table & Activities

Visitor Center

Learn more about Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which is open seasonally and located in Auburn, NY. Join a ranger to learn more about Harriet Tubman as a Master Naturalist with a guided activity sheet and add your leaf to the growing “communi-tree!”

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Naturalization Ceremony

Wesleyan Chapel & Visitor Center

Official court proceedings will be held as part of the Naturalization Ceremony – the park proudly celebrates and congratulates all new American citizens on this momentous achievement. Tabling by various civics and service organizations will take place in both the Wesleyan Chapel & Visitor Center.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Harriet Tubman NHP Information Table & Activities

Visitor Center

Learn more about Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which is open seasonally and located in Auburn, NY. Join a ranger to learn more about Harriet Tubman as a Master Naturalist with a guided activity sheet and add your leaf to the growing “communi-tree!”

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Guntzel Theater

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Drop-in Ranger Table Talk: “Science Beyond Spheres”

Visitor Center

Join a ranger to explore how women in the 1800s pushed beyond the boundaries of the expected “women’s sphere” to achieve scientific breakthroughs and pursue higher education. Learn about some of the challenges they faced and the lasting impact their contributions have on science and education today.

3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Revolutionary Roots: The 1848 Convention - Ranger Program

Wesleyan Chapel

How does a social movement grow? Join a ranger to meet the organizers of the 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and learn more about the Wesleyan Chapel in which it was held. Discover how Faith, Fortune and Fate combined to ignite a movement.

Happening All Week: Family Activities

Science-themed crafts & activities will be ongoing in the Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Make-and-take Craft: “Seeds of Change”

Elizabeth Cady Stanton used the pen name, Sunflower, when she wrote articles in her friend, Amelia Bloomer’s newspaper The Lily. She would write about issues women faced knowing that it would take a lot of effort and time to change laws and ideas. Make-and-take your own sunflower planter! Watch your own seed grow and remember how small actions can make a big difference.

Make-and-take Craft: Solar Bracelets

Whether in a backyard, neighborhood green space, or at a national park, everyone experiences the energy of the sun! The sun sends energy to the Earth in a few different ways: visible light you can see, infrared light you feel as heat, and ultraviolet (UV) light, which is invisible to our eyes. In this activity, create your own bracelet to measure the strength of UV light from the sun.

Women in STEM and Earth Day Coloring Sheets

Start a “History Quest” with a NEW Activity Book

Did you know you can preserve history through keeping a record of the things you experience? Start your own “history quest” with this fun, kid-friendly guide to preserving history. Best of all, you can take this activity book home and continue your adventure anytime!

Suffrage & Science Table Display at America's National Park Store

Explore how suffrage and science intersect through a curated selection of books for all ages and more at the Eastern National Bookstore. Learn about women like Eunice Newton Foote who used environmental observation, scientific discovery, and invention to break barriers and expand opportunities for future generations.

Earn your Junior Ranger Badge

Complete the Women’s Rights NHP Junior Ranger activity book and sunflower scavenger hunt!