The National Women’s Hall of Fame will adjust its gallery hours for the remainder of 2023, allowing for the continuation of its restoration and rehabilitation work at the Seneca Knitting Mill.
“The Hall is so grateful for the continuous support and enthusiasm of our community and your dedication to honoring the achievements of exceptional women throughout history,” said executive director Jennifer Gabriel. “We understand that these reduced hours may cause inconvenience to some of our visitors, but there is no doubt that the end result will be worth these temporary adjustments.”
The Hall will be closed to the public from July 1-20 for maintenance to the gallery. Effective July 21, the National Women’s Hall of Fame’s gallery will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Earlier this year, the Hall broke ground on its current phase of renovation, which includes rehabilitating the existing spiral staircase, adding a main staircase, and building a new elevator shaft with a glass connector. Substantial work will also take place on the second floor, which will become space dedicated to telling the stories of the Hall’s Inductees. The iconic smokestack adjacent to the building is being preserved and restored, and a replica of the historic bell tower will be placed on the roof later this year.
“This ongoing work is critical to the Hall’s ability to continue building a world-class museum that can inspire pilgrimage for visitors across the nation,” said Board of Directors member Jeanne Giovannini, the project’s chair. “We are so proud to call Seneca Falls home and look forward to celebrating progress with our incredible community.”
The Hall plans a grand re-opening of its gallery in Spring 2024, when hours will expand again. 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
Funding for this phase of construction includes private philanthropy from generous individuals and supporters, as well as significant grants from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation – Environmental Protection Fund, NYS Council on the Arts, and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. The project is also significantly supported by the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative, headed by NYS Department of State and administered by NYS Homes & Community Renewal.
Recognition opportunities — including naming rights — are available for individuals, foundations and corporations interested in getting more involved. Please email admin@womenofthehall.org or call 315-568-8060 for information.