Save America's Treasures

May 8, 2002

History Making Women Saving Women's History

Senators Hutchison and Clinton featured at
Sewall-Belmont House event

WASHINGTON D.C. -- - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD) and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton join in a bipartisan effort along with event co-hosts, Save America's Treasures and Bell South, to save one of the premier women's history sites in the nation. They will host a reception to benefit the Sewall- Belmont House Restoration Project.

When: Tuesday May 14th, 2002
6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
5:30 - 6:30 P.M., VIP Reception

Where: Sewall-Belmont House
144 Constitution Avenue, NE

At the center of American politics for 200 years, Sewall-Belmont House was one of only four nationally significant projects named in legislation that created Save America's Treasures - the other three were the Star Spangled Banner, Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. In the shadow of the nation's capital, it is the only major suffrage site that remains architecturally and historically intact with an unparalleled collection of original furnishings, documents, photographs, art, and artifacts.

"Sewall-Belmont House is a landmark of American freedom," Sen. Hutchison said. "Recognition of the house as a nationally significant heritage site has dramatically increased as a result of this preservation effort."

"I am pleased to join in this effort to preserve Sewall-Belmont House and to share with the contributions of women throughout our history," Sen. Clinton said. "We must ensure that we pass on to future generations both the symbols and the gifts of liberty and creativity that make us who we are."

In 1999, Congress awarded a $500,000 Save America's Treasures challenge grant to restore the Sewall-Belmont House and its collection. It is hoped that this event will help raise the substantial private funds still needed to meet the grant's required match and continue the ongoing structural restoration and preservation efforts.

The Sewall-Belmont House has played a role in American political life for 200 years specifically as the center for the women's campaign for equal rights and full citizenship as the headquarters of the National Woman's Party. A National Historic Landmark and Save America's Treasures Official Project, the distinguished brick mansion is located across from the Supreme Court and steps from the Hart Senate Office Building. The Sewall-Belmont House is the only major suffrage site that remains architecturally and historically intact with an unparalleled collection of archives and artifacts of the suffrage movement including over 300 banners, 5,000 photographs, original furnishings and artwork. For more information, please visit www.sewallbelmont.org.

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