Women’s HOF receives $750,000 in Seneca Falls

The National Women’s Hall of Fame has officially been awarded $750,000 by the state of New York to continue developing the former Seneca Knitting Mill. The development with the former Seneca Knitting Mill location is to create the Center for Great Women, which will serve the rehab of the historic mill, in addition to giving a new home for the Hall of Fame.The funding came from two major sources:The Empire State Development program, or the Market NY program granted $250,000 to the National Women’s Hall of Fame in an effort to strengthen and encourage tourism growth throughout the region. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – or the Heritage Areas System program awarded $500,000 to the project, which would result in 4,200 square feet of usable space when the renovations are complete.Jeanne Giovannini, the Board President of the National Women’s Hall of Fame said of the award that, “We are extremely grateful for this important support and recognition by New York State that the Hall is not only rehabilitating the historic Seneca Knitting Mill, but that the Center for Great Women will have economic impact by creating jobs and attracting tourists on a state, national and international scale.”Giovannini went on to point out that, “These are resources that are not easily obtained. It is truly a commendable achievement on behalf of the Hall, the county and the region.” Currently, the Hall of Fame is in the final stages of obtaining state approval to proceed to the next steps in the capital improvement phase of renovations. Some of these renovations include winterization and window replacement. The goal will be for the Center for Great Women into the first floor of the Seneca Knitting Mill by the end of this calendar year.In other National Women’s Hall of Fame news, the board expressed their sadness with the resignation of CEO Jill Tietjen. The press release indicated that Tietjen was returning to her business career in Colorado. No other details were offered regarding her departure, but the National Women’s Hall of Fame continues to move in a positive direction, with this major funding announcement.