There’s a new national park in honor of a pioneering figure you might not know
You may not be familiar with Frances Perkins, but her dedication to labor rights and social justice has positively impacted numerous Americans over the years – benefits that continue today.
“Frances Perkins is a true advocate for American workers, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for her commitment to improving the lives of others,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams stated in a press release.
The National Park Service now honors her legacy by establishing Frances Perkins National Monument in Maine, the newest addition to the national park system.
On Monday, President Joe Biden officially recognized her family’s historic homestead as the 433rd site within the national parks.
Here’s what to know about Frances Perkins and the newly designated park.
Who was Frances Perkins and what makes her significant?
Frances Perkins made history as the first female Cabinet member and held the position of Secretary of Labor longer than anyone else before her, and she played a pivotal role in shaping the New Deal, according to a fact sheet from the White House.
“Throughout her 12 years as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perkins was instrumental in establishing Social Security, aided millions of Americans in regaining employment during the Great Depression, advocated for workers’ rights to organize and negotiate collectively, and laid down regulations for minimum wage, overtime pay, prohibitions on child labor, and unemployment insurance,” the White House noted.
Before her national service, Perkins dedicated years to advocating for workers’ rights within the New York state government and beyond.
“Her heart was all about service,” remarked Giovanna Gray Lockhart, executive director of the Frances Perkins Center, which is focused on preserving and promoting Perkins’ legacy. “As a trained social worker, she recognized that effective policy is crucial to helping millions.”
Where did Frances Perkins call home in Maine?
The National Park Service states that while Perkins was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, her summers were spent at her family’s homestead in Newcastle, Maine, a site where her ancestors settled back in the 1750s. As an adult, she frequently returned to this property, considering it her true home despite her extensive public service obligations. Upon her death in 1965, she was laid to rest in a nearby cemetery.
The 57-acre homestead situated along the Damariscotta River was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009 and became a National Historic Landmark in 2014. In 2020, the Frances Perkins Center acquired the property from her family and subsequently joined forces with the National Park Conservation Association to advocate for its national park designation.
Visiting the park
The homestead can be found roughly an hour’s drive from Portland, Maine.
There’s no admission fee to enter.
“Our grounds are accessible year-round, from dawn until dusk, where visitors can walk trails, snowshoe, and enjoy the tranquility of the area,” Gray Lockhart explained. The historic structures are currently closed for the winter season, but come summer, self-guided tours and a full schedule of educational programming about Frances Perkins and her legacy will be available.”
The National Park Service will team up with the center to enhance visitor experiences and services.
A broader perspective
The new designation of the park is part of the Biden administration’s extensive efforts to honor women’s contributions throughout history.
“Women often do not receive the acknowledgment they deserve for their groundbreaking ideas and achievements,” noted Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association. “For many, Frances Perkins’ story was largely forgotten. Today changes that narrative, and it’s incredibly significant.”
This is a significant occasion to pay tribute to her while also reminding ourselves that we ought to dig a bit deeper and ensure that these women receive the acknowledgment they rightly deserve.
On Monday, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland revealed five new National Historic Landmarks associated with women’s history:
- Azurest South in Petersburg, Virginia
- The Charleston Cigar Factory in Charleston, South Carolina
- The Furies Collective House in Washington, D.C.
- The Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Burrill House in Washington, D.C.
- The Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth House and Studios in San Patricio, New Mexico
In addition to these new landmarks, there are existing national park sites that celebrate pioneering women, which include:
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
- Clara Barton National Historic Site
- Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
- Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
- Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
- Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
- Women’s Rights National Historical Park
(This article has been revised to fix a typographical error.)
