MARKER DEDICATION FOR SUFFRAGE WORK IN 1896
SEBASTOPOL, CA – AUGUST 19, 2022

SEE OUR SUFFRAGE MARKER DEDICATION VIDEO

National Collaboration of Women’s History Sites who created the National Votes for Women Trail, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation has awarded an historical marker for two suffragists and meeting hall in Sebastopol.

1896 in California was an election year.  Susan B. Anthony called in all of her expert speakers to canvass 57 counties in California with the mission of getting the vote for women in California that year.

The marker recognizes Janssen’s Hall as the site where suffrage activity took place.  Janssen’s Hall was owned by Adelaide Janssen, purchased in 1885 for $500 from W.S. Sanborn.  The hall was used for town social events, Odd Fellow meetings, political meetings, temperance gatherings, and suffrage events, etc.

One of Anthony’s expert speakers was Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine.  She spoke to a receptive crowd at Janssen’s Hall in the spring of that year.  Yates is one of the suffragists recognized on the William G. Pomeroy marker.

Helen Hurlbut from Sebastopol, also spoke at Janssen’s Hall In July 1895 during the Sonoma County Republican Convention.  At the podium, Hurlbut asked delegates to put suffrage on the ballot.  

The Marker is located at the rear of the former Janssen’s Hall, 195 No Main Street, Sebastopol.  The Odd Fellows meeting hall is on the second floor.  The first floor is rented to the Silk Moon. Dedication took place August 19, 2022.

Articles can be found at Sebastopol Times, the The Press Democrat with more details.

QR marker was donated by local engravers, HapaDesigns, Sebastopol, CA