There are several options of how to go from our Airbnb in Geneva to the hamlet of Seneca Falls. We could bike on nice backroads, pedaling through rolling farmland and vineyards. It would be a fairly long ride and we would get sweaty. We could paddle there with the kayaks on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. We would have to go through the canal lock in Waterloo and figure out what to do with the kayaks while we explored the small, interesting downtown. Or we could take the easy way and drive in the Bullet the short fifteen minutes. Any guesses on which one we chose?
Seneca Falls may be small in size, but it has a huge place in our nation's history. In 1848 a small group of brave women led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the Seneca Falls Convention on Women's Rights. This convention was the first of its kind in the United States. The first day of the convention was "women only" and led to the drafting of the Declaration of Sentiments. This declaration, which was modeled after the Declaration of Independence, proclaimed that women had the same inalienable rights as men. On the second day of the convention, which was open to men as well, the declaration was signed by 68 women and 32 men (including Fredrick Douglas). This marked the start of the Women's Suffrage movement that eventually led to giving women the right to vote.
Women's Rights National Historic Park
The convention was held in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The church has been nicely renovated and there is an interesting museum next door. They are both operated by the National Park Service. We enjoyed listening to a park ranger give a short (20 minute) presentation on the events leading up to, during and after the historical convention. There's no admission fee and it's well worth visiting.
There's a mystery about Seneca Falls that will probably never be fully resolved. Was Bedford Falls from the classic Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" modeled after Seneca Falls? The Seneca Falls Chamber of Commerce certainly thinks so, however only Frank Capra, the movies director knows for sure. Since he passed away in 1991, I guess we'll never know for sure. The movie was filmed in California, but there are a few compelling reasons to believe Seneca Falls is the real-life Bedford Falls. First, Fank Capra had family in Seneca Falls and visited the area while the movie script was being developed. Second, there is a bridge over the canal that looks very similar to the bridge in the movie. There is a small "It's a Wonderful Life" museum in town. There are a few items in the museum that were props in the movie, but the majority of items are replicas.
There is a celebration held annually at Christmas honoring the movie. You can even buy small bells from local organizations that can be attached to the bridge. The bells honor the famous movie line uttered by George Bailey's daughter ZuZu that "every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings". So is Seneca Falls the real-life Bedford Falls............you gotta believe!
