The Changing Role of Women

Women’s Clubs and Historic Preservation

King Manor was opened to the public by a group of women one hundred and twenty years ago, who called themselves the King Manor Association of Long Island. These women felt that they were upholders of American tradition, and had their sights set on becoming involved with civic activities while still remaining domestic.

Some of the most famous women's clubs included the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of America.

These clubs took on restoration projects of heritage sites across America, promoting themes of American Patriotism through patriotic celebrations, like parades and reenactments, both of battles and of domestic scenes like hearth cooking and spinning wool. By the 1890’s, these events reached their peak popularity, right around the time Cornelia King, Rufus’s granddaughter, and the last King family member to live here, passed away.