EMAIL US HERE

Ships Log Erie Canal Seneca Falls, NY September 12-13, 2005

A detour 8 miles south of the Erie Canal, Seneca Falls is the birthplace of the Women’s’ Movement.

This mill town is where Elizabeth Cady Stanton lived. When journalist Alice Bloomer (originator of “bloomers”) introduced Stanton to Rochester native Susan B. Anthony, the Women’s’ Movement began in earnest.

Rana has always felt a connection to S.B. Anthony since they have the same birthday. Therefore, she was quite interested to explore the history that transpired in Seneca Falls. In 1848, the National Conference for Women’s Rights took place in Wellesley Chapel. It was attended by notable rights activists including Fredrick Douglas. Years later, the Equal Rights Amendment was proposed in Seneca Falls in 1923.

The Flats of Seneca Falls was also an industrial center manufacturing, boilers, pumps and fire engines. Steel was imported from Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania. In addition, there was a thriving woolens mill here. The heavy industry failed years ago and the woolen mill was shut down more recently. The ribbon cutting ceremony is being held this week to convert the Mill to a tourist center and condo development. Seneca Falls was the inspiration for Frank Capra’s film “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Zuzu’s Café is named in honor of the girl that grew up here and played the character of that name.

Spry for his age of 93, local barber Tommy Bellisima requested a kiss for his photo, and then told the tale of cutting Frank Capra’s hair when he visited the town.