Story and photos by Theresa St John
Follow along with Travel Writer Theresa St. John as she takes a Road Trip to the Finger Lakes
Leaving Their Mark
Women have left a powerful legacy to generations after them (and will continue to after us!) – especially in the Finger Lakes Region. Since 1848, when the first Women’s Rights Movement took place in Seneca Falls, this part of New York State has offered visitors many ways to learn about remarkable women such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Sojourner Truth, among numerous others.
First Convention Sign
And it is also an area of New York State that was very active in the Underground Railroad. Freedom seekers often began their journey alone or in small groups and were aided by people who risked everything to help them along their way. Men and women from all walks of life stepped up, emboldened by their belief in equality for everyone. Even the first women’s antislavery fair held in Seneca Falls during October 1843 helped draw attention to the cause.
Harriet Tubman spoke at the Women’s Suffrage Convention in 1896. “I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say – I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger.” I had no idea that she also aided the Union Army during the Civil War. She served as a nurse, scout, cook, and spy – it was incredible to find out those things about her!
Roadtrip Time!
These are some of the stories I’ve always been interested in, and last March I decided to jump in my car and take the ride to check out area museums, parks, restaurants, women-owned shops, and more. Brave Women FLX has a fantastic one-of-a-kind journey mapped out through the area: I wanted to learn more about these fascinating people myself. And I wanted to visit some women-owned businesses as well.
XIX Restaurant
I stopped in Seneca Falls for lunch. The restaurant XIX is a charming place that honors women in the region who took a stand on many causes during their lifetime. I wandered around the space and smiled at the artwork depicting prominent women I’d first learned about in school rooms. I loved the chalkboard listing smoothies named after some of them and the movements they supported.
Artwork displayed of prominent women inside of XIX restaurant
The menu listed salads, all sorts of sandwiches, and yummy desserts. They sounded wonderful. I went with the Roast Beef and Horseradish, which the cashier suggested, saying it was her favorite go-to. The sandwich was super fresh, with meat piled high, and came on toasted ciabatta bread. The Berry Boycott smoothie had all my favorites – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, milk, and Greek yogurt. Can you say ‘Yummm?’
Smoothie Namesakes
Over lunch, I learned about ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ and the story of its origin, believed to be in Seneca Falls - if you missed my article in Simply Saratoga HOLIDAY, you can check it out here!
An Iconic Hotel
Walking back to my car, I spotted a few gorgeous sculptures along the roadside, and I stopped to study them. The workmanship was meticulous, and they were of historic importance. I hadn’t seen any of these metal beauties before, so I was glad to take a few photos I could show family and friends later.
Important women in the Finger Lakes Region
My overnight stay was at the Gould Hotel, right in the center of town. Built in February 1920, I had heard rumors that it might be haunted, and I love a good ghost story, so the choice was perfect. It was an impressive brick building on the corner, and my room was a welcome sight after checking in. I eyed the bed, dreaming of a nap, but there were too many things on my list of ‘must-sees,’ so I locked up and promised to be back for a good night’s sleep after a visit to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, Wesleyan Chapel, and dinner.
Side view of the Gould Hotel
Comfy Hotel Room
Sitting Area at the Gould
So Many ‘Ripples of Change’….
I was excited to see that the Wesleyan Chapel had been restored to look as it did around 1848. Original brickwork was visible again, and several pews built for the First Congregational Church of Seneca Falls—which split from the Wesleyan Methodists in 1869—now welcomed new visitors like me to sit and imagine what those days must have been like.
The Chapel where proclamation was presented to descendants
When I asked what the attendees' seats would have looked like way back when, I was told they weren't sure what had happened to them, so they couldn’t say, I can only imagine. Above, hanging from the ceiling, were scrims painted with images of both everyday people and prominent figures who would have been in the chapel gallery during those critical meetings.
I wasn’t the only one there that day in March, listening to the park guides share what it must have been like here in the Finger Lakes and how the convention had drawn folks far and wide. We had many questions, and both park rangers answered them all.
Inside The National Park Site
Differences
Educational Placards
Historical Timeline
Inside the second building, we were able to explore and read about the movement, things that have happened over the years, and how life has changed since then. The sculptures on both floors were meticulously detailed, and the figures looked as if they could easily start speaking to us. Visiting these places certainly gave me a lot to think about. As I walked back to my car, I felt such gratitude for the brave, strong women who paved the way before us.
Visiting the Woman's Rights National Historical Park
Quilts at the Park
And now, time for a good meal and a strong drink
The name, Flint & Stave, honors what the owner feels are ‘essentials’ in the restaurant business. Flint, for the fire that drives their culinary creations, and Stave, for the barrels that hold their beer, wine, and spirits.
Exterior of Flint & Stave
The restaurant is right next to the Gould, which made it my choice for dinner. I loved the interior – all old brick, a nice long bar, and plenty of seating throughout. And the staff was super friendly, which is always a plus.
Inside Flint & Stave
The menu offered up appetizers like Crab Rangoon, Mozzarella Sticks, and Maple Chili Brussles. They also had soups and salads. And there were plenty of entrees to choose from. I had been looking forward to a nice steak for a while now, so I went with the Butcher Block. It was a Bostrom Farms Strip Steak. When I say it was tender, I mean I really didn’t need the steak knife at the side of my dinner plate to cut it. Talk about melt-in-your-mouth! It was served with whiskey compound butter, caramelized onion mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. I savored every bite, taking my time over a delightful drink the bartender made me. I’d told her I wanted something fruity, and she brought over a refreshing’ reminds-me-of-summer’ drink, even though we were still in winter.
Dinner at Flint & Stave
What a great cocktail, summer in the middle of winter
Drink and Food Menu
After a good night’s ghost-less sleep
I took my time packing up in the morning. Before heading home, I was going to attend a moving ceremony honoring Harriet Tubman, proclaiming March 10th, 2025, Harriet Tubman Day in the city of Auburn. Members of her family were present, and a classroom of attentive students sat right in front of me. The proclamation took place in the newly restored Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, where Harriet had often worshipped during her years in the city. In an endeavor that took over two years, project managers reviewed photographs and analyzed paint and wood samples to select historically accurate materials that were in place in 1913, when her funeral was held in the hallowed space. It was pretty emotional to be in the space where so much history had occurred.
People giving speaches honoring Harriet Tubman
Some people in attendance