Frances Perkins National Monument

Frances Perkins National Monument is a 57-acre rural homestead along the Damariscotta River in Newcastle, Maine. The Perkins Homestead was continuously owned by the Perkins family for over 270 years and was a place Frances Perkins visited throughout her life, often providing her a respite and inspiration.

The historic homestead remains much as it looked during her lifetime with the family’s historic home built in 1837, barn, gardens, and paths through the Maine countryside. The homestead is the location of the Frances Perkins Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving her legacy.

Renowned as the first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position and the “Woman behind the New Deal,” Frances Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including safety standards, Social Security, and shorter workweeks. Her impressive career and accomplishments, including as Secretary of Labor, opened the door for other women to hold high government positions.