Dear TIGS Member, In her speech <http://www.katemullanynhs.org/nhldedication> dedicating the Kate Mullany House in Troy as a National Historic Landmark on July 15, 1998, then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "I would argue that the real difference between the United States of America and every nation that has ever existed, is not that we had great Generals because others have as well; not that we had great political leaders, because others have as well; not even that we had great business leaders or great creative geniuses, because you can find those in any society, in any country throughout time. It is because more than any other effort in the entire history of human civilization, we have empowered average men and women -- working men and women -- we've given them the reason to believe that they too can make something out of their lives; that they can walk and live and work with dignity and confidence. That is what has made America different; that is what has made America great." The Mullany House is unique in that it celebrates the contributions of everyday Americans, including Irish immigrants, who had an impact on improving the lives of our nation's working families. As a U.S. senator from New York, Clinton worked closely with Congressman Michael McNulty to move a bill through Congress in 2004 to designate the Mullany House a National Historic Site making it an Affiliated Unit within the National Park System. It is listed on New York State's Women's Heritage Trail <http://www.katemullanynhs.org/node/8>. It is owned and being restored by the American Labor Studies Center (ALSC). This historic house was the home of Kate Mullany who gained national prominence as the founder and leader of the nation's first bona fide all women's union - the Troy Collar Laundry Union - in 1864. She also was the first woman to serve as an officer of a national union. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame <http://www.greatwomen.org/women-of-the-hall/search-the-hall/details/2/112-Mullany>in Seneca Falls in 2000. The ALSC is in the process of restoring the home to its original 1869 configuration. Working with a Historic Structure Report and Historic Furnishings Plan <http://katemullanynhs.org/node/23> prepared by renowned historic architect John G. Waite, work has been completed on the repair and restoration of the external wrap of the building including the installation of period windows. The building was repainted to a National Park Service recommended color by Painters Union District Council 9 in 2011. Period landscaping has been installed by Habitat Garden Design of Troy. The adjacent property that housed a boarded up Jiffy Lube was purchased by the ALSC. The building was demolished and plans are underway to create Kate Mullany Park. The story of Kate Mullany, "Kate Mullany: A Trade Union Pioneer<http://katemullanynhs.org/node/15> " and her colleagues can be found on the Mullany House web site. Additional information on Mullany and her colleagues, as well as the restoration progress, is available in a PowerPoint <http://katemullanynhs.org/node/24> format. The ALSC is an all-volunteer, non profit organization. It has been successful in obtaining state grants to complete much of the restoration to date including exterior work and restoration of the first and second floors. Work remaining to be completed so the house can be opened to visitors includes restoration of the back porches, historic stairwell and the third-floor Mullany apartment. Grants have been applied for to complete the work but will fall short of what is required. Currently, the ALSC is developing an exhibit on the life and times of Kate Mullany on the first floor. We are seeking additional information on genealogical information on Mullany and any descendants of her siblings. TIGS assistance would be appreciated. Funds to subsidize the restoration and to operate and maintain the property are raised through contributions and donations, especially through the ALSC's Annual Recognition Reception. This year's event will be held at the New York State United Teachers headquarters in Latham, New York on December 11. An order form <http://www.katemullanynhs.org/node/26> for tickets and/or sponsorship of an ad in the commemorative journal are available on the Mullany web site. Troy is known as ''The Collar City" because of the significance of the industry in the city's rich history. The restoration and opening of the Mullany National Historic Landmark and Site will help celebrate the contributions of its Irish immigrants but also promote the revitalization of Troy's North Central neighborhood and the area's economic development. Paul Cole Paul F. Cole Executive Director Kate Mullany National Historic Site 16 Birchwood Ct. Loudonville, NY 12211-2057 (518) 331-4474 www.katemullanynhs.org