Osborne Homestead Museum exhibit in Derby to honor female inventors

Frances Osborne Kellogg

DERBY - In honor of Frances Osborne Kellogg’s 143rd birthday, the Osborne Homestead Museum will have a photo exhibition in May celebrating the achievements of female inventors and innovators.

Born May 11, 1876 during the Victorian Era, Frances was a Renaissance woman who was involved in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields—managing her factories, breeding prized Holstein-Friesian cattle, and playing and teaching the violin.  

Additionally, her family had several patents in garment accessories and building design. In the 1890s, when Frances was a young woman on the verge of taking over her family’s businesses, 58 percent of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students were girls.  

By 1955, a year before Frances’ death, girls represented less than half of all STEM students. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 2016 report, women worldwide represent 35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study. 

Frances was an advocate of higher education for girls and women, and this special exhibition is meant to inspire and bring attention to the incredible women leaders in STEAM from Frances’ time to today.
Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum throughout the month of May and learn about the women who changed the world!  

The Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave., is a facility of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. 

It is open for free guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.  

For information call 203-734-2513.  

This is a press release from the Osborne Homestead Museum.