Mechanics Hall is the premier event venue and concert hall in Central Massachusetts.
175th Anniversary of the First National Women’s Rights Convention
October 23 @ 8:00 am - October 24 @ 4:00 pm
Worcester Women’s History Project at the Museum of Worcester
Celebrating 175 Years Since the First National Women’s Rights Convention
On October 23-24,1850, over 1,000 people—including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Lucy Stone—gathered in Brinley Hall in Worcester for the first National Women’s Rights Convention. It was a groundbreaking moment that sparked a global movement.
Exactly 175 years later, the Worcester Women’s History Project (WWHP) at the Museum of Worcester (MOW) is bringing that history to life with a modern two-day convention exploring women’s rights then and now—reproductive freedom, pay equity, inclusion, constitutional protections, and more. Featuring national speakers, exhibits, performances, and a youth delegation.
Day One: Setting the Stage
Re-Creation of the 1850 Convention – Mechanics Hall | October 22, 6:00-8:30PM
- Angels and Infidels– A powerful play by Louisa Burns-Bisogno with period music Experience this dramatization of the 1850 Convention which captures the excitement of the convention, highlighting the famous players in the abolition and women’s rights movements.
- The Providence Brigade Band provides authentic music of the era before and during the show.
Day Two: 1850 to Beyond Suffrage
Today’s National Women’s Rights Convention – Mechanics Hall | October 23, 8:00AM-4:00PM
- 8:30AM | Welcome by Reverend Irene Monroe & Opening Remarks –Massachusetts Attorney General, Andrea Campbell
- 9:00AM | Women and Politics, Past and Present – 175 Years of Activism
- 10:30AM | The Current State of Inclusion – Dr. Lauran Star
- 12:00PM | Lunch with music from Betty Machete and the Dancing Fleas
- 12:30PM | Dessert With the Dead Ladies – Q&A with historical icons like Abby Kelley Foster and Frances Perkins
- 1:30PM | Women’s Reproductive Health through the ages – Deja Foxx, Keynote
- 2:30PM | From Petticoats to Power Suits – an overview of Victorian Dress Reform with an Historical Fashion Show – Kristina Haugland, Philadelphia Museum of Art costume curator; Karon Shea Model Management moderates
- 3:45PM | Final Call to Action
6:00PM – 9:00PM
- The Harvey Ball– Join us as we honor retired Senator Harriette L. Chandler, the first woman President of the Massachusetts Senate, who tirelessly advocated for women’s rights over her storied career. Separate admission fee.
Tickets
$135.55
including fees
Ticket Includes:
- Admission to the Re-Creation of the 1850 Convention at Mechanics Hall on Thursday, October 23
*Fees apply to all ticket sales – phone, online, and in person. Ticketing fees not only cover processing costs but also help support the maintenance and preservation of Mechanics Hall as a community treasure.*
Unable to attend Thursday’s Convention? Purchase tickets for Angels & Infidels ONLY here!
Purchase tickets for The Harvey Ball here
This event is eligible for discounted tickets under the Card to Culture Program
Mechanics Hall is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Limited number of tickets available, limit of 2 per order. Select Card to Culture Admission when selecting your ticket. For eligibility requirements, please see Mechanicshall.org/cardtoculture
Free tickets also available through Vettix.org, an organization that provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life.
Accessible Entrance
The barrier-free entrance to the Hall is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. There is no elevator access to the Great Hall balcony.
Accessible Halls
All of our halls are wheelchair-accessible, where patrons can remain in their wheelchairs or transfer to theater seats. Patrons who cannot or do not wish to transfer from their wheelchairs to a theater seat should request wheelchair-seat locations when ordering tickets. The Great Hall balcony is not wheel-chair accessible.
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