Saratoga Automobile Museum honors heritage of women and the automobile in new exhibition

Wheels: Women and Independence, 1900 to 1920 showcases the pioneering spirit of important women in American automotive history

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (July 11, 2019) – A groundbreaking new exhibit in the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Orientation Theater showcases the experiences of seven pioneer female automobile enthusiasts, with New York State as the starting point for their adventures.

At times, each of the featured women played a pivotal role in societal change, with their paths sometimes crossing along the way. Each woman has her own unique story to tell with a passion for motoring at the center.

Coinciding with the national centennial celebrations for Women’s Suffrage, The Wheels: Women and Independence Exhibit explores the role of the automobile in the suffrage movement. August 18, 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of the official certification of the ratification of the 19th Amendment by the United States Secretary of State,

“The Museum’s look at how automobiles changed society continues with our new exhibit dedicated to strong, independent women that used the automobile as a means of protest and progress,” said Carly Connors, executive director. “We’re proud to showcase how important the automobile was to cultural change and this new exhibit does just that.”

The exhibit features:

Wheels: The Jewel Sisters – Acting, Activism, and Automobiles
Izetta Jewel Kenney Brown Miller
Hazel May Jewel Kenney Godwin Horne

Wheels: House Calls - Medicine and Politics
Dr. Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Gillette

Wheels: Banned! Women and Racing
Joan Newton Cuneo

Wheels: Westward - From Hell Gate to the Golden Gate
Alice Taylor Huyler Ramsey

Wheels: “The Car, The Girl, and The Wide, Wide World”
Blanche Stuart Scott Tuttle Hennings

Wheels: Driving for Freedom
Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Davis Walker, better known as Madam C. J. Walker

A grand-opening for this new exhibit will be held on Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Orientation Theater. The opening will feature insight and background on the exhibit by Anne Rockwood, guest curator for the exhibit, Chris Leonard, the Schenectady City Historian, and by Museum officials. This event is open to the public, with regular Museum admission.

The exhibit grand-opening coincides with the Museum’s second Hoods-Up evening; select cars will have their hoods opened up to give visitors a different perspective on automotive design and a rare glimpse into the priceless cars in the Museum.