National Women’s Hall of Fame Awarded $93,000 NYSCA Grant to Support Next Phase of Historic Museum Space Renovation
State funding supports planning for expanded museum, educational, and public programming space at the Hall’s historic Seneca Knitting Mill home
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — [6/18/26] — The National Women’s Hall of Fame today announced it has been awarded a $93,000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support architectural and engineering design at the Hall’s historic home, the Seneca Knitting Mill. The award marks the latest investment by New York State in the Hall’s ongoing growth as a national cultural institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of women who shaped American history.
The grant will support planning and design work for the activation of the building’s upper floors, advancing the Hall’s vision for the next phase of the historic site’s restoration and public use.
The award is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA totaling more than $82 million for 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State. The grants are designed to help nonprofit arts and cultural organizations undertake critical building renovations, improve accessibility, and create new spaces for creative and cultural work.
“This investment represents another important step in the continued evolution of the National Women’s Hall of Fame and our historic home,” said Dr. Kristen Oehlrich, CEO and Executive Director of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. “New York State has been an invaluable partner in helping us transform the Seneca Knitting Mill into a nationally significant home for women’s history and storytelling. This grant allows us to plan thoughtfully for the next phase of that work and continue building a space that inspires visitors from across the country.”
Located in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, the National Women’s Hall of Fame has invested years in restoring and activating the historic Seneca Knitting Mill as a museum and cultural destination. The upper-floor activation project represents the next phase of that effort, creating additional opportunities to engage visitors while preserving an important piece of New York history.
The grant builds on a series of state, federal, and philanthropic investments that have supported the Hall’s restoration and growth. In 2025, the rehabilitation of the Seneca Knitting Mill received the Joan K. Davidson Award as part of the New York State Historic Preservation Awards, as well as the Barber Conable award from the Landmark Society of Western New York – both awards recognizing the collaborative effort to transform the historic structure into a vibrant public space.
“New York’s powerful arts and culture sector is a formidable asset,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Our continued investments in museums, theaters and art centers generate incredible returns—sparking innovation, boosting local economies, driving visitors and making us the global epicenter of arts and culture.”
New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “We know that when the arts flourish, communities follow—bringing energy, creating jobs, expanding accessibility, and increasing tourism. This grant program is a critical investment in our creative sector, empowering our creative community and inspiring innovation. Congratulations to all the grantees, we look forward to seeing these diverse projects develop all throughout the state.”
The Hall’s continued growth comes as it prepares for its 2026 Induction Ceremony on September 24 at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York. The event will honor the Hall’s newest class of inductees and further elevate its mission of recognizing women whose achievements have shaped American history and global progress. For more information on the 2026 Class of Inductees, visit https://www.womenofthehall.org/induction-2026.
About the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Founded in 1969 and located in Seneca Falls, New York, the National Women’s Hall of Fame is the nation’s first and oldest nonprofit organization and museum dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of distinguished American women. Through education, exhibits, and national programming, the Hall preserves the stories of women whose leadership and contributions have shaped the world.
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2027, serving hundreds of arts organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch.
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