Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s
Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a
story of struggles for civil rights, human rights, and equality, global
struggles that continue today. The efforts of women’s rights leaders,
abolitionists, and other 19th century reformers remind us that all people must
be accepted as equals.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human rights, and equality, global struggles that continue today. The efforts of women’s rights leaders, abolitionists, and other 19th century reformers remind us that all people must be accepted as equals.

Bird's eye view of the park

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step
of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area
thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and
fishing. The marshes were drained as a result of dam and canal construction in
the early 1900s, and area wildlife virtually went the way of the water—gone.
But, with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a series of constructed
dikes began to hold water and wildlife returned.

Today, Montezuma NWR continues to work toward restoring the historic Montezuma
marshes, grasslands, shrublands, and forests. As part of the Montezuma
Wetlands Complex—a partnership between the USFWS, the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, Audubon NY, Ducks Unlimited, the
Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex—the Refuge
acquires land through deed or easement and restores it to provide critical
habitat to migratory birds and other wildlife.

Designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area, the refuge provides critical
migration and nesting habitat for waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, raptors,
warblers, woodpeckers and more! Montezuma was the first site in New York State
for a bald eagle restoration program in the mid- to late-1970s, reintroducing
more than 20 bald eagles back into the wild. Today, the refuge boasts several
active bald eagles nests and many people visit just to see our nation’s symbol
in its natural habitat!

Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.  The marshes were drained as a result of dam and canal construction in the early 1900s, and area wildlife virtually went the way of the water—gone.  But, with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a series of constructed dikes began to hold water and wildlife returned.   Today, Montezuma NWR continues to work toward restoring the historic Montezuma marshes, grasslands, shrublands, and forests.  As part of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex—a partnership between the USFWS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Audubon NY, Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex—the Refuge acquires land through deed or easement and restores it to provide critical habitat to migratory birds and other wildlife. Designated as an Audubon Important Bird Area, the refuge provides critical migration and nesting habitat for waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, raptors, warblers, woodpeckers and more! Montezuma was the first site in New York State for a bald eagle restoration program in the mid- to late-1970s, reintroducing more than 20 bald eagles back into the wild. Today, the refuge boasts several active bald eagles nests and many people visit just to see our nation’s symbol in its natural habitat!

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and
community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved
them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Auburn, New York in 1859. Central New
York was a center for progressive thought, abolition, and women’s suffrage
where Tubman continued to fight for human rights and dignity until she died in
1913.

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Auburn, New York in 1859. Central New York was a center for progressive thought, abolition, and women’s suffrage where Tubman continued to fight for human rights and dignity until she died in 1913.

Women's Rights National Historical Park

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Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park