Rochester officials are anticipating big crowds at Mount Hope Cemetery on Tuesday, with the potential for thousands of people to pay respects to suffragist Susan B. Anthony on Election Day.
In 2016, an estimated 10,000 or so people filed past the grave of Susan B. Anthony, prior to the last presidential election.
And this year, Pat Corcoran, president of the group, Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery said there is the potential for another big turnout.
She said it has already been busy during the past week of early elections, and while there are certainly parents bringing their young daughters or son to the gravesite to give to talk to them about the significance of voting rights for women, Corocoran saw an older gentleman one day who gave a little impromptu talk to people who had gathered at the grave.
“He spontaneously turned around and gave a speech to all the young people that were in line and it was so sincere, it was from his heart, saying, you all have to remember this place and this date and these people that made this so possible for all of you to vote.” Corcoran said there is additional interest in Susan B. Anthony this year in general, since it is the 200th anniversary of the year of her birth and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment which helped women secure the right to vote.
In anticipation of many people wanting to place their ‘I voted’ stickers at the gravesite, the city has put clear plastic sleeves over the headstones of Susan B. Anthony and her sister Mary.
City of Rochester officials, who are helping organize the situation at Mt. Hope Cemetery on Tuesday said that people interested in paying respects at the Anthony gravesite should be aware of the following:
• Visitors may access the gravesite between the hours of 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• All cemetery gates will be closed at 9 p.m. All those who are still inside the cemetery at that time will be allowed to stay in line, but no new visitors may enter.
• After 4 p.m., visitors should park on Robinson Drive and walk across Mt. Hope Avenue to the cemetery entrance. This will be the entrance closest to the gravesite.
• All visitors will be required to wear masks and hand sanitizer stations will be in place. City staff will be on hand to facilitate lines, answer questions and provide assistance. Social distancing will be enforced.
