Ride the Rails With 19th Century Women's Rights Enactors

GAGE EXCURSION 2008The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, in conjunction with Finger Lakes Railway, is offering a unique summer experience. Ride the rails to Seneca Falls, N.Y., this Aug. 22 with the 19th-century women's rights activist Matilda Joslyn Gage and her friends.

Enjoy an onboard program with costumed historical characters. In addition to Gage, these characters will include "Bloomers" advocate Elizabeth Smith Miller, an anti-suffrage leader; typical 19th-century woman Mrs. Justus Wells, and Sarah Loguen, daughter of Syracuse African-American abolitionist; and the Rev. Jermain Loguen.

Passengers can order boxed lunches to eat on the train, bring their own, or eat in Seneca Falls. They will have many chances to win scavenger hunt prizes while on board. The Finger Lakes Railway train departs from the Home Depot/Staples parking lot in Camillus on Milton Ave. at 11 a.m., has a three-hour layover in Seneca Falls and returns to Camillus at 6 p.m.

While in Seneca Falls, participants can attend a special free program with historical characters at the Women's Rights National Historical Park at 2 p.m. Afterward they can tour the museum and gift shop.

To order tickets and boxed lunches, go to http://www.fingerlakesscenicrailway.com/node/354. Or call Finger Lakes Railway at (315) 209-1029 or (315) 374-1570. Walk-ups are OK as long as tickets are available. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $18 for kids ages 3-14. Children 2 and under ride free if they sit on a lap. Boxed lunches cost $10.

For further information contact the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation at (315) 637-9511 or foundation@MatildaJoslynGage.org.

PRE-EVENT INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR PRESS: Historical enactors Renee-Noelle Felice (Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage) and Denise Butler (typical 19th-century woman Mrs. Justus Wells) are available for interviews in costume at the Gage Home or another location by request before the event.

The Gage Home is located at 210 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE.

EXAMPLE ABOVE: A historical enactor chats with passengers during last year's Gage Railway Excursion.

 ###END###