Susan B. Anthony

The Madison Square/West Main Street Historic District is historically and architecturally significant as a neighborhood that reflects, on a small scale, the growth and development of Rochester over a one hundred year period from the the Erie Canal "boom town" era of the 1830's to the Depression of the 1930's.

It is the only surviving example in the city of an early-nineteenth century tract development that retains its original public square and alley configuration, commercial strip and industrial area, as well as the majority of its residential buildings. These residences were built primarily by middle- and working-class residents and include representive examples of the historical architectural styles from Greek Revival to American Four Square.

One of the major anchors of the Susan B. Anthony neighborhood is the Susan B. Anthony House. The Susan B. Anthony House was the home of the legendary American civil rights leader during the most politically active period of her life, and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872. Susan B. Anthony's story of courage and determination has been told and re-told to visitors to her Rochester, New York home on Madison Street for than fifty years. The Susan B. Anthony House, a National Historic Landmark Musuem, is supported primarily through the contributions of its members. The Susan B. Anthony House is not affiliated with other organizations bearing her name.

Recently, the Susan B. Anthony Education and Visitor Center opened. The center features state-of-the art interpretive exhibits; a new carriage house with lecture facilities; and fully accessible visitor services.

The district is also significant for its association with the history and development of Rochester's carriage and shoe manufacturing industry of the nineteenth century. The district is also significant for its association with the internationally noted suffrage leader, Susan B. Anthony, who resided there from 1866 until her death in 1906. It was during these years that she performed her most important work for women's suffrage. Her residence at 17 Madison street, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966, served as her home, office and headquarters for suffrage activities for forty years.