Do you ever wonder how people who go on to do great things were raised—and where they lived? It’s such an interesting question. I had the chance to explore the birthplace of one of the most influential women in the American women’s rights movement on a recent day trip to the Berkshires.

Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. She later became a driving force in the suffrage movement, focused on securing the right to vote for women. While doing a little extra research, I was surprised to learn that women could vote in several of the pre-revolutionary American colonies. But after 1776, with the exception of New Jersey, all states adopted constitutions that denied voting rights to women.

Susan B. Anthony and her peers worked tirelessly to change that by giving speeches, gathering petition signatures, and appearing before Congress to push for a constitutional amendment. While the 19th Amendment wasn't passed in her lifetime, she is widely recognized as one of the key figures who made it possible.

She is best known for her work securing voting rights for women, but Susan B. Anthony also passionately advocated for equal rights across the board—and her legacy still inspires today.

Back in 1820, the United States was still a new country, and the Industrial Revolution was just beginning. Susan was born right in the parlor of her family’s home to Daniel and Lucy Anthony. Both sets of grandparents lived nearby—her maternal grandparents had gifted the property from their adjoining farm, and the Anthonys lived next door to the Reads.

Her father, Daniel, was a member of the Religious Society of Friends (known as Quakers), and her mother, Lucy, had been raised as a Universalist and Baptist, but came to adopt many Quaker beliefs after marrying Daniel. Quakers lived simply and valued equality for all—principles that would clearly influence Susan’s future.

Her parents were also quite entrepreneurial. Lucy wove cotton-blend linen fabric to make bed sheets and pillowcases for their home. At the time, cotton wasn’t widely used, which inspired Daniel to build a factory on the property to produce cotton fabric. In line with his beliefs, he refused to buy cotton from slave-holding farms and hired women to work in the factory. Even as a young girl, Susan questioned why women weren’t in leadership roles.

The Anthony’s lived in that home until 1826, when the family moved to Battenville, New York, to expand their mill operation.

It’s easy to imagine how this mix of progressive values and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape Susan into the trailblazer she became.

Her birthplace home still reflects the style of a typical 1800s farmhouse, with wooden floors, paneled walls, and simple moldings. You can tour the first floor, visiting the parlor, a bedroom, and even the store that her parents once ran out of their home. There’s also a dedicated exhibit room filled with information about Susan’s life, including copies of the newsletter she published and a detailed timeline of her life.

Visiting Susan B. Anthony’s birthplace was moving—standing in the same parlor where she was born made her story feel even more real. It’s amazing how the values we’re raised with can ripple out into something much bigger.

I truly appreciate you following along on these little adventures with me. Next up, I’m heading north for a summer escape to Montréal! I can't wait to explore the culture, cobblestone streets, and, of course, the food scene—so stay tuned.

‘til next week, au revoir and happy exploring!
Kathleen

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