… And Women, Too
Special exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution includes an item related to women’s suffrage—on loan from the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society.
From left: Valerie Neuber, VHAS Board of Trustees president; Laura Walsh, MOAR exhibit’s project manager, and Naomi Ingraldi, VHAS trustee.
In late summer, Valerie Neuber, president of the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society (VHAS)Board of Trustees, received an invitation from the Museum of the American Revolution (MOAR) to attend a reception previewing the special exhibition titled “The Declaration’s Journey.”
To mark the 250th anniversary next year of our nation’s founding, the MOAR is presenting the exhibition, which explores the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today and highlights how it has become one of the most influential political documents in modern history.
Neuber received the invitation because the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society has loaned one of the 120 rare objects on display. The journey for the VHAS started back in January 2024 with a request from the MOAR to borrow an object from the Society’s collection for the upcoming exhibition. Emails, paperwork, loan agreements, and appraisals ensued before the “object” of their request was hand delivered to the MOAR on April 29, 2025.
The “object” is the blueberry-crate ballot box used in 1868 when Portia Kellogg Gage, a founder of the New Jersey Women’s Suffrage Association and a resident of Vineland, led 172 women to vote in the federal election. When their ballots were refused, they set up their own table and special ballot box and proceeded to cast their votes. At the time, it was the largest suffrage protest ever staged in the United States, and it helped lay the groundwork for future advances in women’s voting rights.
On a recent October evening, President Valerie Nueber and Secretary/Treasurer Naomi Ingraldi were welcomed at the MOAR to preview the exhibit. The evening began with a warm welcome by MOAR President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson. He recounted the question that he and the board of directors had asked, “What will the museum do to mark the 250th anniversary?” They decided to build a special exhibit around the cornerstone of the American Revolution—the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by a reenactor, delivered a monologue from the grand staircase, tracing the journey of this hallowed document of which Jefferson was the primary author.
And then the doors opened to the special exhibit gallery. Inside, irreplaceable national treasures from as far away as Dublin, Ireland, and Santiago, Chile, were displayed.
And there it was, encased in a Plexiglas box, titled “Suffragists Make-Shift Ballot Box”—the prized possession of the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society, for all the world to view.
Laura Walsh, the exhibit’s project manager, discussed the vision for the special exhibit. Coline Jenkins, dressed in white with a “Votes for Women” sash, proudly showed us her contribution to the exhibit—the desk used by suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (her great-great-grandmother) at her home in Tenafly, New Jersey.
Stories flowed. Sentiments were shared. Bonds were formed. All united, under the banner of the Declaration’s Journey.
Learn more about VHAS events, programs, and membership at discovervinelandhistory.org
IF YOU GO:
“The Declaration’s Journey” is on exhibit at the Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, through January 3, 2027. Educational and special offerings at the exhibit include:
—An audio tour, along with transcriptions, is available on hand-held devices.
—American Sign Language video translations, a tactile label about 19th century printing.
—Kids and families may enjoy the printed family guide full of activities. Hands-on activities for visitors to the exhibition include try-on clothing and items for the perfect selfie, pop-up talks, and a discovery cart with replica objects related to the Declaration of Independence.
For more information, museum hours, and ticket prices, visit https://www.amrevmuseum.org/at-the-museum/exhibits
