Matilda Joslyn Gage House Visit by CNY Branch Pen Women

Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation and home received CNY Branch Pen Women on May 12, 2022.

Gage Foundation artist-in-residence and Pen Woman Vanessa Johnson conducted a lively tour through the house for the Pen Women in attendance.

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The Gage House features some original materials from the supreme activist feminist and suffrage writer. The house also showcases little known aspects of the Underground railroad in Central New York, as well as historical documents and papers. A highlight was the recreation of one of Gage's rooms, down to the stuffed owl in the center of the room. Another highlight was the underground railroad room with the names of people who escaped from slavery written on the ceiling and the floor mat. "We made sure it was impossible not to notice," said Johnson, pointing to the painting of life-size figures on the floor. The Gage House also has a gift shop with a wonderful array of books and other material relating to suffrage and human rights.

Branch President Judith McGinn said the Gage Home always offers something new in this evolving historical museum: "The displays have changed just since the last time I was here." Pen Women writers Karen Pastorello and Nancy Dafoe signed books in the book shop that they co-authored before leaving.