Suffrage Rally Huntington
Here’s a detailed account of the 1913 Suffrage Rally in Huntington:
📅 When and Where
Held in July 1913, the rally took place in downtown Huntington Village, centered at the corner of Main & Wall Streets
The exact site is now marked by a historical plaque installed in 2017 by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation
🚛 The “Spirit of 1776” Wagon
The centerpiece was an antique “Spirit of 1776” wagon, originally from the American Revolution, donated by the I.S. Remson Wagon Company
Built by Revolutionary War patriot Ebenezer Conklin of Huntington, it was a one-horse hickory “shay.”
Suffragists, led by Miss Davidson and Mrs. Edna Buckman Kearns, paraded the wagon through Main Street, preceded by the Huntington Fire Department’s fife, drum, and bugle corps
🧑🤝🧑 Attendance and Clashes
The event drew more than 1,000 spectators, including both suffragists and anti-suffragists
At one point, anti-suffragists, notably including a local mother, heckled the procession—famously protesting the use of the wagon, which belonged to her family—resulting in a vocal clash between opposing factions
🎙️ Speakers and Themes
Miss Davidson recounted suffrage history.
Mrs. Kearns emphasized the importance of mothers’ voices in lawmaking for family welfare.
Frank C. Schaeffler, representing male perspectives, spoke in favor of women’s eventual enfranchisement and its benefits for government
The event included public speaking, petitions supporting suffrage, and musical accompaniment from the band
📣 Impact and Legacy
The rally highlighted community engagement, gathering local support and signatures for women’s voting rights
New York state granted women the right to vote in 1917, four years later, affirming these grassroots efforts
🕰️ Later Recognition
In April 2018, town officials recognized the 1913 rally by unveiling a formal marker at Wall & Main Streets, celebrating Huntington’s progressive role in civil rights
This rally stands out for its symbolic use of revolutionary imagery, the spirited confrontation between opposing viewpoints, active civic participation, and lasting recognition more than a century later.
