Women’s History Month is more than halfway through. But that shouldn’t stop you from seeing spots dedicated to women before the month is over. Not only are COVID-19 restrictions easing all over the country but spring weather is arriving. In the event you can’t make it to one of these sites, you can still learn virtually about its respective importance in American history. Above all, you should recognize the contributions of women, whether it’s in March or any other month.
Note: Some of these featured properties are currently undergoing renovations. However, you can still gather information from the respective websites.
Clara Barton National Historic Park
5801 Oxford Road
Glen Echo, MD 20812
(301) 320-1410
www.nps.gov/clba
The former home of Red Cross founder Clara Barton is currently undergoing construction. That means you won’t be able to visit this National Historic Site during Women’s History Month. Nevertheless, you can take a tour of the home after the construction is completed. That’s expected to be June 1, according to the National Parks Service. Be that as it may, her home in this Washington D.C. suburb is worth a visit. This home is particularly important in that it was the first national historic site dedicated to a woman.
American Red Cross
In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, whose national headquarters is in Washington D.C. Not far from Logan Circle, the American Red Cross headquarters also serves as a memorial to women who served during the Civil War.
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Harriet Tubman Museum
424 Race St.
Cambridge, MD 21613
(410) 228-0401
www.visitdorchester.org/harriettubmanmuseum
The State of Maryland is leading the way in celebrating women’s history well past March. That’s because it was announced that 2022 is proclaimed the “Year of Harriet Tubman”. Yet, you might also want to visit the Harriet Tubman Museum in Dorchester County. After all, this legendary abolitionist was born just a few miles from the museum. If you go, make sure to see the mural of Harriet Tubman, on the museum’s exterior. Additionally, guided tours by appointment are available to sites associated with this leader of the Underground Railroad. Not far away is the must-see Underground Railroad Visitor Center
Military Women’s Memorial
Memorial Ave. and Schley Drive
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 892-2606
www.womensmemorial.org
At some point in your lifetime, you may wish to visit Arlington Cemetery. Considered America’s most hallowed ground, it’s the final resting place for military members and public figures. Yet in March, there is a particularly important memorial to visit. That’s the Military Women’s Memorial, honoring American women who served in the armed forces. Encompassing 4.2 acres and anchored by a neoclassical semicircular structure, it’s at the western end of Memorial Avenue. Inscribed on a section of the structure are quotes from women who served in the American military.
Vietnam Women’s Memorial
5 Henry Bacon Drive
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 426-6841
www.nps.gov/vive
In addition to the Military Women’s Memorial, visit this memorial dedicated to veterans of the Vietnam War. Established in 1993, the memorial is just a short walk from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the National Mall.
Related: Historic Monuments To Visit On Veterans Day
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave. NW
Washington D.C. 20005
(202) 783-5000
www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofwomeninthearts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is another place that’s under construction. In fact, you will have to wait until fall 2023 before it reopens. In spite of this, you can view its many resources online, with a special section devoted to Women’s History Month. Fortunately, there is also a temporary exhibition you can visit at American University Museum through May 22. The exhibit is being held on campus at Katzen Arts Center and features over 100 works from 21 contemporary women artists.
National Women’s History Museum (NWHM)
205 S. Whiting St. Ste. 401
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 461-1920
The National Women’s History Museum in Alexandria isn’t a museum you can physically visit. Instead, this important museum is presented virtually, with multiple online resources, social media and online events. On the other hand, NWHM’s Resource Library is open to visitors via appointment. Currently online is a Women’s History Month Toolkit2022, with a calendar of events happening through March. Among the additional events is the Celebrate Women’s History Month program, a 60-minute virtual presentation.
Rosa Parks Bus
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124
www.thehenryford.org/rosa-parks-bus
Several events are being held at the Henry Ford during Women’s History Month. For instance, there is a guided “Innovative Women” tour and “Quiet & Loud Protest” exhibit. There is also a featured artifact series highlighting Women in Racing. Yet above all, you should see the Montgomery, Alabama public bus that Rosa Parks rode in 1955. What’s more, you can walk into the bus and sit in her seat. You can find the Rosa Parks Bus in the exhibit section “With Liberty and Justice for All”.
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Rosa Parks Museum
Troy University
252 Montgomery St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 241-8615
www.troy.edu/srosa-parks-museum
The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery is the America’s only museum dedicated to the civil rights activist. The museum is on the campus of Troy University, not far from where Ms. Parks was arrested on a public bus. Inside the museum you will find artifacts from that era, along with a replica of the Rosa Parks bus. You’ll also discover important artwork dedicated to Ms. Parks. The museum is a broader part of Montgomery’s Civil Rights Trail. Among the points of interest along the trail are the Civil Rights Memorial Center and Freedom Rides Museum. Lastly, don’t miss the life-size sculpture of Rosa Parks in downtown Montgomery. You can see another replica of the iconic Montgomery bus at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
Rosie the Riveter National WWII Home Front
1414 Harbour Way S No. 3000
Richmond CA 94804
(510) 232-5050
www.nps.gov/rori
If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area this month, then visit this national historical park. If you go, Rosie the Riveter National WWII Home Front is in Richmond, just north of Berkeley. Covering nearly 150 acres, the park was once home to the largest assembly plant on the West Coast. During the war, the Ford Motor Assembly Plant built tanks and other military vehicles. What’s more, many of its workers were women, since American men were fighting overseas. In addition to the massive plant is a great, admission-free visitor center. The center contains artifacts from WWII, along with the history of this important site. Just a short walk away from the center is the Rosie Memorial.
Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
17 Madison St.
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 235-6124
www.susanb.org
The Susan B. Anthony Museum is among the most popular spots to visit this month. That’s because this museum is dedicated Susan B. Anthony, a leader of the American women’s suffrage movement. Equally important is her home, which was the headquarters of the suffrage association she led. The home is further etched in history as the site where she was arrested for voting inn 1872. In order to visit, you must make an online reservation for a guided public tour.
Women’s Rights National Historical Park
136 Fall St.
Seneca Falls, NY 13148
www.nps.gov/wori
What’s more important this month than to visit the birthplace of women’s rights? It was here in the Finger Lakes region of New York that the first women’s rights convention was held. For this reason, the Women’s Rights National Historic Park was established. Within this 6.83-acre park are a number of must-see attractions. This includes the visitor center, the Waterwall and Wesleyan Chapel, the location for that first convention in 1848. Not to be overlooked are the many wineries that help make Finger Lakes a top wine destination.
Related: Five Places To Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com. He earned a media fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.