The Lucy Burns Museum located in one of the galleries in the Workhouse Arts Center, which was once was the historic Lorton Workhouse prison. The prison was active between 1910-2001, holding different types of prisoners. During 1917 the suffragists who were picketing in front of the White House were held there.
Inside the museum, there are several exhibits about the prison history, the prisoners’ daily routine, and even the actual cells. The second half of the museum is dedicated to the US women’s suffrage journey to get the vote. Exhibitions review the history of the struggle from its early days with the first Seneca Falls convention in 1848, the famous march in DC in 1913, the night of terror in 1917, and more. Also, on display are the statues of three of the suffrage leaders: Lucy Burns, Alice Paul, and Dora Lewis.
The museum is named after the suffragist Lucy Burns, who dedicated her life fighting for the right of the American women to vote. Burns was the co-founder of the National Woman’s Party (NWP), she spent the longest time in Occoquan jail, and was forced fed several times.
Restoring Lorton Workhouse prison and converting it to a vibrant art center was the initiative of several community activists led by Irma Clifton, who fought to preserve and transform it into a cultural center.
After visiting the Lucy Burns Museum and the galleries at the Workhouse Arts Center, pay a visit to the nearby Historic Occoquan offering antique stores, dining options, and a viewpoint of the Occoquan River.
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