Mary Louise Booth Home May Join Historic Site Lists

boothThe office of New York State Parks recently announced the nomination of the home of noted suffragist and abolitionist Mary Louse Booth for placement on the federal and state registers of historic places, one of twenty-two sites so designated. The house is located Main Street in Yaphank. The announcement read:

Mary Louise Booth Girlhood House, Yaphank – Built ca. 1829, the house is nationally significant for its association with esteemed author, translator, abolitionist and suffragist Mary Louise Booth (1831-1889). The founding editor of Harper’s Bazar was born in the house and lived there until 1845; it is the only remaining property associated with her life. 

Mary Louise Booth was indeed born in 1831 in Yaphank, Long Island, and had the good fortune to have a father who believed in education for both boys and girls. Through diligent study she became fluent in seven languages, and later became a noted journalist. Booth’s translations of French anti-slavery texts aided the Union cause during the Civil War, and when the War was over she became the editor of the fledgling magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, a position she held until her death in 1889.

Mary Louise Booth became interested in the woman suffrage movement after a chance meeting with Susan B. Anthony, and remained a staunch advocate for her lifetime. Placement of her home on the registers of federal and state historic places will offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce the public to this accomplished, gifted woman, as well as further education on the history of the woman suffrage movement on Long Island.

The Booth home will be part of the Yaphank Historical Society’s tour of historic buildings from 2 to 5 PM on Saturday, December 20. For further information, please call  631-924-4803.

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