The M'Clintock House:
A Home to the Women's Rights Movement

(Women's Rights National Historical Park) It was not its appearance that made the house at 14 East Williams Street in Waterloo, New York exceptional. In mid-19th century America, after all, there were thousands of two-story brick homes with a white front door and chimneys at either end. Instead, the M'Clintock House came to occupy a prominent place in American history because of the people who lived inside its walls and in the surrounding community. On July 16, 1848, five women, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, met here to draft what they called the "Declaration of Sentiments." This document outlined their views on and complaints about the role of women in society. Two days later, in nearby Seneca Falls, it served as the centerpiece of discussion when these women carried out their ambitious plan to convene America's First Women's Rights Convention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS About This Lesson Getting Started: Inquiry Question Setting the Stage: Historical Context Locating the Site: Maps 1. Western New York state and surrounding region 2. Waterloo and Senaca Falls Determining the Facts: Readings 1. The M'Clintock Family 2. American Women in the Mid-19th Century 3. Declaration of Sentiments 4. The Life of Elizabeth M'Clintock Visual Evidence: Images 1. Bird's-Eye view of Waterloo 2. M'Clintock House and household 3. The M'Clintock House today 4. Cartoons depicting views of women's roles Putting It All Together: Activities 1. Social Reform 2. Women's Rights in Your Area Supplementary Resources

RELATED INFORMATION How to Use a TwHP Lesson Lessons on Related Topics TwHP Home National Register Home About the National Register How the National Register Helps Teachers Contact TwHP Women's Rights National Historical Park This lesson is based on the M'Clintock House which is part of the Women's Rights National Historical Park, one of the thousands of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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