Day (And Night) at Paulsdale
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Burlington County, New Jersey Pauldale circa 1900. Day (and Night) at Paulsdale: Honoring Her Legacy, Preserving Her Home, Developing Future Leaders by Kristina Myers Director of Heritage & Outreach Alice Paul Institute Day (and Night) at Paulsdale O Kristina Myers O GardenStateLegacy.com Issue 2 O December 2008 n Mount Laurel, New Jersey, movie portrays the efforts women center dedicated to women’s a 200-year old Quaker went through for the right to history and girls leadership. Ifarmhouse, tucked among vote, including a year long White API’s motto, “To develop new trees on a 6.5 acre lot, conveys House picketing campaign in Alice Pauls,” takes place through a the feeling of solitude. But inside, 1917, numerous prison sentences unique combination of programs twenty-five pre-teen girls let out and forced feedings, all in the that use women from history like squeals of excitement as they name of women’s suffrage. The Paul, to demonstrate leadership compete in teams to untangle a star studded cast also includes skills with the overall message yarn maze around the house. This Anjelica Huston, Julia Ormond, that one person can make a is just a typical day—rather Francis O’Connor and Patrick difference. Here are just a few of night—at Paulsdale. the programs that occur during a Donning PJs, with sleeping typical week at Paulsdale. bags and yoga mats in hand, these girls join over 500 other girls Meeting Alice Paul who have taken part in GOLD Ask any Mount Laurel fourth- (Girls Overnight Leadership grader and they should be able to Development), a program which tell you a thing or two about takes place inside this historic Alice Paul. On a typical weekday home. GOLD is one of twelve at Paulsdale, fourth-graders flock programs offered by the Alice to Alice Paul’s house to take part Paul Institute, whose offices in Meeting Alice, a two-hour, occupy the second floor history program. Fourth-grade bedrooms of the home. classes from Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill and Cinnaminson An Iron-JJawed Angel Alice Paul toasts (with grape schools visit Paulsdale in fall and The Alice Paul Institute (API) juice) the passage of the 19th spring. Amendment granting women the is a non-profit organization, right to vote, August 26, 1920. At Meeting Alice, students founded in 1985, dedicated to become history detectives the educating the public about the Dempsey. second they enter the large life and work of New Jersey’s Paulsdale, Alice Paul’s double doors of the home. They most famous suffragist, Alice birthplace and family home, is look for clues in old kitchen Stokes Paul (1885-1977). Paul one of less than 4% of National where they see photographs from was the author of the Equal Historic Landmarks dedicated to Alice Paul’s life during a Rights Amendment, founder of the work of a woman. In 2004, presentation, “Children in 1900.” the National Woman’s Party (this API completed a 1.2 million In the double parlor, they work in is the party that picketed the dollar restoration and teams, again looking for clues to White House in 1917), and a rehabilitation of Paulsdale. help them organize a photograph lifelong activist for women’s However, API’s mission goes far timeline. Students have a chance equality. beyond the preservation of Paul’s to let their voices be heard With a modern twist, HBO historic home. A humble Quaker, through a voting activity recently depicted Paul’s pivotal Alice Paul would likely be upset (chocolate or vanilla ice cream?) role in the American women’s to learn her home was a museum and proudly wear their, “I suffrage movement. Starring in her honor. Instead API Voted!” stickers that they earn Hillary Swank, as Alice Paul, the decided to make Paulsdale a afterwards. Day (and Night) at Paulsdale O Kristina Myers O GardenStateLegacy.com Issue 2 O December 2008 Outside, students embark on a Misek (a retired teacher and program at Paulsdale you might tour of the farmyard, with eyes school counselor) concluded see teams of girls on the porch or and ears still perked for clues, students leave thinking that Alice lawn, scurrying to different followed by a team scavenger Paul’s childhood was ordinary activity stations that have them hunt where those clues really and we think that's great! We doing everything from the come in handy. Eighteen kids want students to identify with Women’s History Hustle (no, not scrambling outdoors looking for her, to believe that like her, they a dance, but a musical chairs type clues at the well, ice house and can go on to make a difference in game), the Follow Her Footsteps Copper Beech Tree is certainly a the world. We want them to obstacle-course and a sight to behold in this otherwise remember that one person, no Homegrown Heroines bingo calm landscape. And you might matter how ordinary, can become game. They become suffragist be surprised by how much they extraordinary if they believe in (donning a long skirt, suffrage love the fall leaves! something strong enough. sash and hat) and picket with After her program, one Alice Paul, become registered appreciative Mount Laurel forth- Jersey Girls “Cookie Vote” voters and get grader excitedly wrote, “Alice Would you like to vote for their passport stamped along the Paul is very interesting!!! I learned your favorite Girl Scout cookie in way. By the end of the day, the a lot about Alice Paul and had “Cookie Vote 2008”? Or perhaps girls have also enjoyed an art fun at the same time!” Her dress as a suffragist and picket activity, won prizes, eaten cookies teacher agreed, “Thank you- I with Alice Paul? Girl Scouts who and even had a chance to talk felt this was a great learning take part in the Celebrate New with Alice Paul. experience and a fun way to learn Jersey Women program do just One enthusiastic participant about an amazing woman!” that and more. declared, “I had a lot of fun! We Program facilitator, Lorraine On a Saturday or Sunday learned about lots of New Jersey Friends enjoy a game of Homegrown Heroines Bingo at a Celebrate New Jersey Women program. Day (and Night) at Paulsdale O Kristina Myers O GardenStateLegacy.com Issue 2 O December 2008 women. My favorite activity is probably hearing the commotion when I dressed up!” Her leader that twenty-five 8 to 12 year-old added, “wonderful program!— girls make during a sleepover. perfect for Girl Scouts. Thank At API’s G.O.L.D. (Girls you for your time devoted to our Overnight Leadership girls and their education.” Development) sleepover, you do get popcorn, but you do much more than sit around gossiping and watching movies. Until midnight, girls are doing everything from a snowball fight, human knot, yarn maze, art expressionism, journaling, yoga and more. In addition they see a presentation on Alice Paul, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the house and enjoy snacks, discussion and true bonding time. A team conquers the human knot at GOLD. Leadership Program Director, Dana Dabek-Milstein explains the overall goal of this program, “we hope when they leave our Girl Scouts go home with a program, they realize that they new patch and maybe some are leaders in every sense of the Students participating in Meeting Alice prizes they won along the way, word and go to school on gather at the 200-year old Copper Beech but more importantly, they now Monday with a little more tree looking for their next scavenger know about over twenty New confidence than they left with on hunt clue. Jersey women they learned about Friday.” throughout the day. The ultimate So day and night, there is next generation of leaders. goal of the program, beyond always a history and/or girls Children are not the only ones making history fun, is that leadership program at Paulsdale. who have fun at Paulsdale. participants find new role-models It is said that when Alice Paul Throughout the year adults enjoy they can be inspired by. was working at her headquarters group tours, presentations, events in DC, her office light stayed on and programs too! Check out the The Nighttime G.O.L.D. Rush as she worked through the night. Alice Paul Institute’s website at If you are in the neighborhood I think that Alice Paul would find www.alicepaul.org to learn more on a Friday evening, you might solace in knowing that at her about us and find out about think there’s a party going on at home, the lights also stay on as upcoming events. Paulsdale. In fact, you are the house busily churns out the Paulsdale is located at 128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 856-231-1885 (phone), 856-231-4223 (fax) [email protected] www.alicepaul.org Day (and Night) at Paulsdale O Kristina Myers O GardenStateLegacy.com Issue 2 O December 2008.