Worcester Women's History Project (WWHP)

04/25/2026

Join us for this exciting event on Wednesday evening 4/29/2026 at the Worcester Public Library. Featuring 3 panelists talking about their experiences in "Conversations for Change"

04/23/2026

WWHP@MOW Upcoming event: "Conversations for Change" with three inspiring Black women, Joyce Augustus, Letisha Amuwu and Lydia Fortune talking about their experiences in leadership in the Worcester area. Tina E. Gaffney will be moderating. You won't want to miss this! FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Saxe Room of the Worcester Public Library, Wednesday April 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

10/25/2025

Mechanics Hall: celebrating the 175th anniversary of the first national woman’s rights convention held in Worcester, MA in 1850

10/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FbDZjDaH6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Community News: Museum of Worcester Celebrates 175th Anniversary of the First National Women’s Rights Convention, October 23 @ 8:00 am - October 24 @ 4:00 pm

Worcester Women’s History Project at the Museum of Worcester

Celebrating 175 Years Since the First National Women’s Rights Convention

On October 23-24,1850, over 1,000 people—including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Lucy Stone—gathered in Brinley Hall in Worcester for the first National Women’s Rights Convention. It was a groundbreaking moment that sparked a global movement.

Exactly 175 years later, the Worcester Women’s History Project (WWHP) at the Museum of Worcester (MOW) is bringing that history to life with a modern two-day convention exploring women’s rights then and now—reproductive freedom, pay equity, inclusion, constitutional protections, and more. Featuring national speakers, exhibits, performances, and a youth delegation.

Day One: Setting the Stage
Re-Creation of the 1850 Convention – Mechanics Hall | October 22, 6:00-8:30PM

Angels and Infidels– A powerful play by Louisa Burns-Bisogno with period music Experience this dramatization of the 1850 Convention which captures the excitement of the convention, highlighting the famous players in the abolition and women’s rights movements.
The Providence Brigade Band provides authentic music of the era before and during the show.



Day Two: 1850 to Beyond Suffrage

Today’s National Women’s Rights Convention – Mechanics Hall | October 23, 8:00AM-4:00PM

8:30AM | Welcome by Reverend Irene Monroe & Opening Remarks –Massachusetts Attorney General, Andrea Campbell
9:00AM | Women and Politics, Past and Present – 175 Years of Activism
10:30AM | The Current State of Inclusion – Dr. Lauran Star
12:00PM | Lunch with music from Betty Machete and the Dancing Fleas
12:30PM | Dessert With the Dead Ladies – Q&A with historical icons like Abby Kelley Foster and Frances Perkins
1:30PM | Women’s Reproductive Health through the ages – Deja Foxx, Keynote
2:30PM | From Petticoats to Power Suits – an overview of Victorian Dress Reform with an Historical Fashion Show – Kristina Haugland, Philadelphia Museum of Art costume curator; Karon Shea Model Management moderates
3:45PM | Final Call to Action

09/28/2025

The Worcester Women's History Project (WWHP) is excited to announce that Reverend Irene Monroe will be opening the 175th Anniversary of the First National Women's Rights Convention on October 23, 2025, at Mechanics Hall.

Rev. Monroe is described in O, the Oprah Magazine, as “a phenomenal woman who has succeeded against all odds.” An African-American le***an feminist public theologian, she is a highly sought-after speaker and preacher. Monroe does a weekly Monday segment, All Revved Up! on WGBH (89.7 FM) on Boston Public Radio—which is now a podcast—and is a weekly Friday commentator on New England Channel NEWS (NECN). She’s a Huffington Post blogger and a syndicated religious columnist. Her columns appear in 23 cities across the country, the U.K, and Canada. She also writes a weekly column in Bay Windows, the Boston home LGBTQ newspaper.

On October 23-24,1850, over 1,000 people—including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Abby Kelley Foster and Lucy Stone—gathered in Brinley Hall in Worcester for the first National Women’s Rights Convention. It was a groundbreaking event that sparked a global movement.

175 years later, the Worcester Women’s History Project (WWHP) at the Museum of Worcester (MOW) is bringing that history to life with a modern convention that will explore the past and the future of women’s rights: reproductive freedom, pay equity, inclusion, constitutional protections, and more. The event will feature national speakers, exhibits, performances, and a youth delegation.

To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, go to: www.worcesterhistory.org.

09/28/2025

Congratulations Senator Chandler!

They say that smiles are contagious…so we’d like you to join us at the 25th Harvey Ball on Thursday, October 23 from 6:00 – 9:00PM at Mechanics Hall.

We’ll be presenting the 2025 Harvey Ball Smile Award to Senator Harriette L. “Harlee” Chandler, the former President of the Massachusetts Senate and a devoted public servant. As a trailblazer for women in politics and a tireless advocate for human rights, Senator Chandler embodies the values that this award represents. This year’s celebration will also mark the culmination of the city-wide commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the first National Women’s Rights Convention, which was held in Worcester in 1850.

The Harvey Ball Award was created in 2001 to recognize Harvey Ball and his iconic image, the Smiley Face, a universal symbol of happiness and goodwill. The “Harvey” is presented on an annual basis to an individual, organization, or group of individuals whose actions have made a difference in the city of Worcester. Once again, we’re shining a light on a remarkable leader–Senator Chandler truly makes Worcester smile!

Show your support by purchasing a ticket, a sponsorship, or by contributing to the Museum of Worcester’s keepsake program booklet that commemorates this important event. Visit https://www.worcesterhistory.org/the-harvey-ball and become a part of the celebration. If you have any questions, contact Eleanor Houbre at [email protected] or call (508) 753-8278 x107. We look forward to seeing you at The “Harlee” Ball!

09/28/2025

Famous men at the first National Woman’s Rights Convention here in Worcester in 1850.

09/22/2025

Tonight!

As part of the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the First National Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, Preservation Worcester and Museum of Worcester have teamed up to present “Worcester Women in Architecture.”

09/22/2025

Don’t miss this performance of “Angels and Infidels” on Wed. Evening October 22, 2025. Hasn’t been seen in 25 years! Will be fantastic and very entertaining!

09/20/2025

Join Slater Industrial Archives for a special walking tour of Pawtucket this fall!

Interpreter Joshua Choiniere of the Old Slater Mill Association for a walking tour of the original settlement of Pawtucket Village by Joseph Jenks Jr. This tour will extend all the way up to Bayley Street. This program will cover approximately one mile on paved surface, with some small hills and steps. Meet in front of Sylvanus Brown House on the Old Slater Mill campus.

Held on October 11, October 18, October 25, and November 1, 2025. All tours begin at 11:30 AM.