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Standing in the shadow of the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-N.C., is clearly moved by the history within its brick walls.
“This monument tells a story; it tells the story of women who fought for equality and the right to vote,” said Foushee.
Named after suffragists Alice Paul and Alva Belmont, the brick home was the long-time headquarters of the National Woman’s Party. It was dedicated as a national monument a decade ago by then-President Barack Obama. It underwent a renovation throughout 2022 and reopened to the public in August 2023.
But the monument, according to Foushee, has failed to get the attention other monuments and museums have gotten. A constituent who visited the monument brought to her attention that there were paper signs over exhibits, which led to Foushee penning a letter to the National Park Service to ask for an audit of the site to assess current conditions and identify areas for repair.
One instance in particular drew criticism: a note acting as a plaque over Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s desk.
“I find this presentation inconsistent with the significance of the site and the standards visitors expect at a national monument,” wrote Foushee to the National Park Service.
“It just seems that it’s neglect; that there is not the same type of respect or importance given to this monument as has been given to other national monuments,” Foushee told Spectrum News.
“All I’m asking is for the same kind of consideration of any other monument that there is an audit done to determine the conditions of some of the exhibits, to determine whether or what the plan should be to make those repairs or to modernize, and then let Congress be responsible for making sure that it happens.”
A visit to the monument from Spectrum News showed a small framed sign on the desk that directs visitors not to touch, along with a photo of the desk printed on computer paper. Broken shutters were also spotted on the outside of the property.
A National Park Service spokesperson, who did not identify themselves, said via email that it could not confirm receipt of the letter, adding that “While we do not comment on congressional correspondence through the media, the Department of the Interior takes all correspondence from Congress seriously and carefully reviews each matter.”
An email between Foushee’s office and the NPS that was viewed by Spectrum News confirmed the receipt.
When asked why the Belmont-Paul monument is only open to the public Friday through Sunday with limited hours while other monuments in Washington, D.C. are open seven days a week, the same National Park Service spokesperson said it is to “align with visitor demand while ensuring the responsible stewardship of this historic site. Concentrating public access during the days of highest visitation allows the National Park Service to provide a high-quality visitor experience while protecting the building and its nationally significant resources.”
President Donald Trump and his administration have shown renewed interest in the care and displays at monuments and museums across Washington.
When pressed why she thinks the monument has failed to get the attention of this administration, Foushee sidestepped the question, putting the onus on Congress to bring this to the forefront.
“What I will say is that it is our responsibility to make sure that the administration is giving the proper attention, the proper respect to this monument as it would to any other,” said Foushee. “Our responsibility is to continue to bring attention to the issue and to make sure that the public understands the importance of preserving and protecting our history — the history of women in this country, the history of any other minority group in this country.”
“We’re not going to rest because we haven’t gotten a response,” she promised.
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