Visitors to Waterloo can learn about the history of Memorial Day, the founding of the village and the birth of the women’s rights movement at the village’s museums and historical sites.

Library & Historical Society

The Terwilliger Museum, open during the celebration weekend, illustrates the history of Waterloo from its earliest Native American residents at Skoi Yase.

National Memorial Day Museum

The Memorial Day History Room features extensive exhibits on the major players of the Memorial Day concept, these being Henry C. Welles, Gen. John B. Murray and, of course, the venerable Gen. John A. Logan. The exhibit also highlights the 1966 Centennial in Waterloo that led to the recognition of Waterloo as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Also on display, an exhibit of historic images, poetry and prose that were generated throughout the 19th century to commemorate Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day.

In July of 1848, the M’Clintock House was the sight of the planning session for the First Women’s Rights Convention kicking off the largest social movement in American history. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and several others drafted a document they called the Declaration of Sentiments, ratified on the second day of the convention, which proclaimed that “all men and women are created equal” and women must have the right to vote. Located at 14 East Williams Street, this National Park Service site will be offering interpretive programs and costumed interpretation throughout the day.

The M’Clintock House will be open
Saturday May 25th 10:30am – 4pm
and
Sunday May 26th, from 11am – 4 p.m.
Admission is free.