Establishment

The Congress finds that— It is the purpose of this section to preserve and interpret for the education, inspiration, and benefit of present and future generations the nationally significant historical and cultural sites and structures associated with the struggle for equal rights for women and to cooperate with State and local entities to preserve the character and historic setting of such sites and structures. To carry out the purposes of this section there is hereby established the Women’s Rights National Historical Park (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “park”). The park shall consist of the following designated sites in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York: The Secretary is authorized to acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, transfer from any other Federal agency, or exchange lands and interests therein within sites designated as part of the park. Lands and interests therein owned by a State or political subdivision thereof may be acquired only by donation. The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of properties designated as part of the park, pursuant to which the Secretary may mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions that the Secretary shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public portions of the property for interpretative and other purposes, and that no changes or alterations shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement. The Secretary shall encourage State and local governmental agencies to develop and implement plans for the preservation and rehabilitation of sites designated as part of the park and their immediate environs, in order to preserve the historic character of the setting in which such sites are located. The Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to such agencies in the development and implementation of such plans, but financial assistance may not exceed 50 per centum of the cost thereof. The Secretary shall administer the park in accordance with the provisions of this section and the provisions of law generally applicable to the administration of units of the National Park System, including the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4) 11 See References in Text note below. and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461–7).1 There is hereby established the Women’s Rights National Historical Park Advisory Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”). The Commission shall consist of eleven members, each appointed by the Secretary for a term of five years as follows: