How Ladies Found Freedom Through the Bicycle – A Celebration of Women’s Suffrage 

Sunday, September 25th 
10am to 3pm

“I think the bicycle has done more to emancipate women than any one thing in the world. I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike.” -Susan B. Anthony, 1896.

Join Ringwood Manor & the Ringwood Manor Association of the Arts for a day celebrating the historic bicycle and voting rights movement. Learn how the availability of the bicycle in the late 19th century and early 20th century helped give women a sense of freedom not previously available to them, and is often seen hand-in-hand with the fight for women’s suffrage. 

Schedule

Throughout the Day: Antique Bicycle display on the front lawn of Ringwood Manor; Antique Suffrage Stamp & Postcard Display; cast your vote in our mock election. 

10am- 1pm: Bring your own bicycle to Ringwood Manor & decorate it with supplied materials for our bicycle parade! (see below)

11am-12pm: Lecture by author Sue Macy entitled, “Freedom on Two Wheels: Why Woman’s Suffragists Were Crazy About the Bicycle.” Q & A afterwards, books available to be signed and purchased. 

12pm-3pm: Guided interior tours of Ringwood Manor offered in the afternoon (additional fee). Learn about the Cooper & Hewitt families and find out why the Hewitt sisters were active in the Anti-Suffrage Movement!

1:00pm- 1:30pm: Bike Parade: Join our staff and other visitors for a bicycle parade through the Ringwood Manor section of Ringwood State Park! (note: helmets required)

1:30pm-3:00pm: Root Beer Float party by the Coffee Shop

2:30pm: Winner of our mock vote announced. 

Visit the Events page at Ringwood Manor for details on all of the park events.



*This program is made possible with funds from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.