Seneca Falls Part 1 - Upstate NY travel and tips

Upstate NY is a beautiful and eclectic collection of travel destinations. From lakes and B&B's to wineries and college campuses there's plenty of places to explore. One of those places is a cozy little town called Seneca Falls. Seneca Falls is located on US-20 between the norther tips of Cayuga and Seneca lakes, the 2 largest of the well known "Finger Lakes". It is a destination about 40 miles west of Syracuse and 60 miles southeast of Rochester. Also reachable by boat (a very cool trip!) via the Erie and Cayuga/Seneca canal system and has beautiful mooring if you're so inclined.

At first glance Seneca Falls appears to be just another small town, but its place in history far exceeds its first impression. What makes this small town famous? Maybe it's the location on a water route connecting to the Erie Canal? Perhaps it's the proximity to the massive Montezuma Wildlife Refuge just down the road?

While either of those attributes would make it a viable destination the real importance of this working class community's place in history is one that changed the face of our nation. Have you guessed it yet?

That's right, On July 20, 1848, 100 men and women signed the Declaration of Sentiments which began the woman's suffrage movement. A decade before the American Civil War the First Women's Rights Convention was held in this town at the still standing Wesleyan Chapel!

The First Amendment Area and commemorative granite wall adjacent to the chapel

Sitting in the Wesleyan Chapel one can feel the atmosphere from that famous day nearly 170 years ago. The structure has been mostly rebuilt using modern construction materials but enough of the original structure remains to keep the spirit of the originators intact. Take a few minutes from your travels to sit, contemplate, and imagine how these brave souls stepped forward and said "enough!". Pressing against every mainstream precedent of the time they set a course that would change American life for every one of us.

A beautiful and quite place to visit, for a picnic, for a boat ride, for remembrance of how a few dedicated and fearless people when joined together in worthy cause can prevail. May we remember their sacrifices in an appropriate way.