Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday

In 1871 Susan B. Anthony appeared before the Washington Territorial Legislature, advocating for women’s suffrage. Her efforts bore fruit in Washington in 1910 and nationally in 1920.

Join us for a program in the Coach House of the Historic Lord Mansion with sheet music collector and music expert Kevin Lynch, who will speak about the remarkable and rare collection of music inherited from his father, a bandmaster.

Mr. Lynch has significantly expanded the collection to include early suffrage and temperance music, some dating back to the era of Susan B Anthony beginning in the 1850s. Lynch will display the music which is heavily illustrated and play excerpts of vocal recordings. The display will be open to the public beginning at 11:30 with the program starting at 12:30 pm.

Following the presentation, the audience will be traveling to the Bigelow House Museum on Olympia’s Eastside, one of the oldest pioneer homes in Washington for a full afternoon of events and displays.

Musician Jean Johnson will play original music of the Suffrage and early Washington era on the ca. 1870 Steinway Square Grand piano, original to the Bigelow Home. Artifacts from the collection of the Washington State Historical Society related to the Susan B Anthony historic visit to Washington in 1871 and Washington suffrage pieces will be on display along with a special collection of suffrage pins.

Susan B Anthony’s visit to Olympia and the Bigelow Family in 1871 will be discussed and there will be a singalong of early 20th century music, sung to familiar tunes. The Daughters of the American Revolution will serve slices of Susan B Anthony’s favorite cake in honor of her birthday on February 15, 1820. The recipe will be available for you to try at home.

Cost is $5.00 for this terrific event, payable at the Coach House upon arrival. Space limited to the first 50 people. This event is sponsored by the Women’s History Consortium and the Olympia Historical Society and marks the kick off for the Washington State commemoration of the National Suffrage Centennial in 2020, led by the Women’s History Consortium in partnership with community and heritage organizations across the state and the region. Look for more information on the 2020 Centennial in our state to be forthcoming over the next months.

For more information, contact Susan Rohrer at susan.rohrer@wshs.wa.gov.