Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls has been named one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
A backlog of more than $10 million in deferred maintenance is the main reason it made this year’s list, released May 20.
The park is known for commemorating the story and history of the first Women’s Rights Convention and preserving sites such as where notable activists gathered together in drafting the Declaration of Sentiments.
Congress established the park in December 1980. It includes four locations in Seneca Falls and two in Waterloo.
Christina Morris, a representative from the National Trust, said she has been working on 11 most endangered places sites for many years and for her it’s about being able to protect and preserve places where history happened.
“When people can’t go into the Wesleyan Chapel, to the Hunt House or to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, when they can’t experience programming that kind of brings that moment of the signing of the Declaration of Sentiments to life, that means they’re missing out on opportunities to fully understand our shared American history,” Morris said. “Being able to bring those needs of these parks and these places to life for the people who hopefully are very interested in experiencing this is so important.”
The National Trust launched the list in 1988. Since then the annual list has brought awareness and support for over 350 sites across the country. This year’s list honors the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and the self-evident truth that all people are created equal.
Miranda Johnson-Haddad, the president of the Board of the Friends of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, was notified in early March of the park being included on the list. She was thrilled to hear the news.
“I can’t tell you how happy I was. I’ve been so impressed by the trust, they are so dedicated, well organized and committed to preserving our history and America’s history,” Johnson-Haddad said.
The backlog, combined with last year’s proposed budget cuts that led to staff reductions, has strained the park’s operations.
“The only direct funding they (the park) get is from the government. I think there are many people and larger entities that would be interested in donating to the friends to support various projects at work at the park,” Johnson-Haddad said. “The park is struggling, as are all our parks right now, even if plaques aren’t being pulled off the wall, if the money isn’t forthcoming from the government, we suffer.”
In terms of finances and staff, Johnson-Haddad also fears that the park’s effort in telling significant stories could potentially be lost.
“I’m concerned the park may become so limited that the stories they are telling and the messages that are a part of our mission will just become like a circle that just gets smaller and smaller, we will be so circumscribed that those stories will be lost,” Johnson-Haddad said. “The stories, not just of the suffragists and the declaration and what happened between 1848 and 1920, but all the other stories that came out of that and that’s what worries me, I think that is why we really are endangered.”
In an effort to protect the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the 10 other sites on the list, each site will receive a one-time grant of $25,000 from the National Trust.
Here is the full list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026 (alphabetical by state):
To learn more about the places on this year’s list and find out what you can do to help preserve and activate them, go to www.SavingPlaces.org/11Most.
To learn more about the Women’s Rights National Historical Park visit https://www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm.
—Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Seneca Falls women’s rights park named endangered
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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