MacKenzie-Childs and Village of Seneca Falls, NY

Down the road from The Aurora Inn was the expansive property of the home goods store, MacKenzie-Childs, once owned by Pleasant Rowland. The store sits on property that used to be a dairy farm. Inside you'll discover unique collections of furniture to ceramics, enamelware, lightning and accessories. Each item is handcrafted by artisans in a studio on the property. All the whimsical merchandise was eye catching with many bearing their signature style, black and white checks.  

      Even the bathroom was a work of art. 

The grounds were stunning and adding to the charm was a small farm complete with chickens and goats nearby.

Seneca Falls.NY 
The town/village community may be small but it's rich in monumental historical events.

Women's Rights National Historical Park
Operated by the National Park Service, the Park preserves the sites associated with the 1848 First Women's Rights Convention.

National Women's Hall of Fame
Immerse yourself here in the lives of great American women while viewing artifacts and special exhibits. You will learn more about the Hall's Inductees at their research center and home to a library and archival materials.

Our exploration began at the beginning, Wesleyan Chapel, where the Seneca Falls  convention was held.   

On July 19-20, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention triggered and ... “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal." A handful of American women called a meeting in this tiny village, Seneca Falls, to declare independence from the absolute tyranny of men. Some 300 participated in the first Women's Rights Convention debating the merits of the document Declaration of Sentiments. 

Next door at the Visitor's Center I found myself surrounded by some of the great suffragists of all time. Their voices were progressive for the time.  Under the leadership of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and other women’s rights pioneers, suffragists circulated petitions and lobbied Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to enfranchise women.

The exhibits were thought provoking reflecting on the historical events of the time, how far we have come but still not far enough since 1848. I loved  Lucretia Mott's quote "You have pens and voices."
A dress made that commemorates the efforts of 100 famous women over the years. 

Down the street we found this special bridge featured in the movie It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. 

  
Along the railing you will find small jingle bells  

commemorating a quote from the movie...  
"Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." (from ''It's a Wonderful Life'' 1946)

Our last stop of the day found us back to Ithaca's outskirts with accommodations at an AirBNB. It was located on a small farm complete with a pond, little barn and chickens. 

Our hosts provided us with fresh eggs and bread. What a deal. 

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