ADAMS, Mass. — Susan B. Anthony's efforts to secure women the vote will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 26, with a cookout and presentation on the Town Common from 2 to 5. 

 

The Anthony Family Reunion BBQ kicks off celebrations that will lead up to the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment in 2020. The event is free and the Adams Centennial Suffrage Committee will be selling hot dogs and hamburgers. 

 

"We are really excited about this event because not only is it a kick off to tell everyone what we are planning for the 100th anniversary of suffrage but people will get to sit and have hamburgers and hot dogs with Susan B. Anthony," Colleen Janz, executive director of the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, said.    

 

The Adams Centennial Suffrage Committee plans to mark the centennial with a variety of events over the next three years and recognize Anthony, an Adams native. 

 

Janz said abolitionist and suffragist Lucy Stone (portrayed by Judith Black) will be at the cookout with Anthony to meet with residents and members of the Anthony family who will be invited.

 

"Lucy Stone is coming to life to tell about her days as a reformer and Susan B. Anthony will walk around and meet some of her family members and meet with the children of Adams," Janz said. "We want people to realize the importance of Susan B. Anthony and corral some enthusiasm and show the children that someone from Adams can change the world."  

 

Celebration Committee member William Kolis added that the event will also allow the committee to announce some of its plans and a fundraising drive.

 

Kolis said the last Anthony family reunion was held 120 years ago in Adams. Anthony attended at the age of 76.

 

"Her biographers said that her return to this town was one of the happiest moments in her life," Kolis said. "The Plunketts also invited her back to speak at the former pavilion which is an incredible thing because the Plunketts and Susan B. Anthony didn't necessarily see eye to eye."