upton association | What it’s all about

The Upton Association involves men and women interested in preserving the legacy of Harriet Taylor Upton, who was involved in the women’s suffrage movement with Susan B. Anthony. A board of directors oversees the Upton House and sponsors fundraisers for the upkeep of: the Upton House, where Upton lived for some 60 years; its garden, where she is buried; and the Women’s Park, located across the street from the Upton House, 380 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren.

House history: Upton House is the third-oldest surviving house on “Millionaires’ Row” along Mahoning Avenue Northwest in Warren and was built by Gen. Simon Perkins. Construction was completed in 1840. The house was sold to Judge Ezra B. Taylor, father of Harriet Taylor, in 1873. The house was the temporary center of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1903. In 1989, the Upton Association formed to save the house from demolition. After a restoration, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1993. It includes a women’s suffrage museum.

Harriet Taylor Upton: Born Dec. 17, 1854, in Ravenna, she moved with her family to Warren in 1862 and graduated from Warren High School in 1873. She married attorney George Upton in 1884. In 1890, she became involved in the suffrage movement. Upton was known as a needleworker, gardener, author, orator, humorist, politician and journalist. She lost the Upton House in 1931 in a sheriff’s sale and moved to Pasadena, Calif., to live with a cousin. She died in 1945 at age 90.

Harriet’s accomplishments: Treasurer of the National Women’s Suffrage Association for 15 years, first female vice chairwoman of the National Republican Executive Committee, founding member of National League of Women Voters, president of Ohio Women’s Suffrage Association for 18 years, founder and first president of Warren’s American Red Cross chapter, first woman elected to Warren board of education, first women elected to vestry at Christ Episcopal Church and founder of local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter.

Women’s Equality Day: The event will take place at noon Tuesday in the Women’s Park. Sponsors are League of Women Voters, Upton Association, Federation of Women’s Clubs, Warren Civic League and Salvation Army. Speakers will be Sally Thomas, curator of Sutliff Museum in Warren, and Carole Babyak, member of Civil War 150 committee, who will talk about roles of women during the Civil War, and Monique Franklin, who will present “Ain’t I A Woman,” written by Sojourner Truth. Chord of Appeals will provide music.

Tours: Tours are available for student and adult groups. The Upton Association also has speakers available.

Rental: The house is available for special events such as baby and bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and family reunions.

Women’s Park: The association sponsors the site between the Kinsman House and city hall. A statue honors “every woman.”

Information: Call the Upton House at 330-395-1840, or visit www.uptonhouse.org.

Source: Upton Association