NEWS RELEASE-
SENECA FALLS, NY… The National Women’s Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that the FY24 appropriations bill signed into law this week includes $500,000 earmarked for continued restoration and renovation of the Seneca Knitting Mill. This announcement comes off the heels of the Hall’s Induction Ceremony in New York City celebrating the accomplishments of 10 trailblazing women earlier this month.
The Seneca Knitting Mill ran continuously for 155 years and closed in 1999. The iconic limestone building is now home to the National Women’s Hall of Fame’s museum as restoration and renovation work continues. New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand championed the most recent legislation, which will provide funding to complete the Mill’s upper floors. Planning for this next phase of construction will begin later this year.
“The Hall’s five-year strategic plan includes work to expand exhibits at the museum and launch programming that engages people across the nation and inspires them to make the pilgrimage to Seneca Falls,” said CEO Jennifer Gabriel. “We are so grateful for this public investment in our work to revitalize this iconic building so it can serve as a permanent home for women’s stories.”
In December, the National Women’s Hall of Fame concluded its most recent phase of construction including the preservation and restoration of the historic smokestack and spiral stairway and the installation of a replica bell tower. Work also included the construction of an elevator and internal stairwell and the renovation of the second floor to create space for future exhibits. Construction for this phase was funded by private philanthropy from generous individuals and supporters, as well as grants from New York State — including NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation – Environmental Protection Fund, NYS Council on the Arts, Empire State Development Market NY Program, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative — headed by NYS Department of State and administered by NYS Homes & Community Renewal.
“We are so proud to call Seneca Falls home and look forward to breaking ground on this next stage of work,” said Board of Directors member Jeanne Giovannini, the project’s chair. “We thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their continued support and express our enduring gratitude to all who believe in and invest in this meaningful project.”
The Hall plans a grand re-opening of its gallery this spring. Recently, the Hall was chosen to host a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian called “Voices and Votes.” The special exhibit will be open at the Hall from July 12-August 23, 2024.
