The National Women’s Hall of Fame is looking to rehabilitate the 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill into its new home - and it is looking for the public's help in winning a grant to help with the costs.
The Hall of Fame is one of 20 finalists - and the only one in Upstate New York - in the Partners in Preservation grant program, a collaboration among the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America and American Express. The program will grant a total of $2 million according to the results of a public vote that is taking place at www.voteyourmainstreet.org.
According to Andy Grabel, associate director of public affairs for the National Trust, the Women’s Hall of Fame submitted a grant request for up to $150,000 and needs to finish in the top 10 in voting to receive the full amount.
Grabel says that the top 10 vote-getters will have their projects fully funded, and the 11th place finisher will receive the rest of the funds. Each of the 20 participants, including the Hall of Fame, received a $20,000 grant to support marketing, event planning and participation in the program.
Voting is open until Oct. 26 and the winners will be announced three days later. The Women’s Hall of Fame has been looking to move from the historic Seneca Falls bank building, where it has been located since 1979.
The new Hall of Fame will ultimately include the entire four-story mill building as well as its annexes and exterior grounds. Hall of Fame officials believe the new facility will more than double its yearly attendance, which is currently 8,000-11,000 visitors.
