In 1867, Vineland was the site of the first New Jersey state convention for universal suffrage at Plum Street Hall, a popular local venue often used for the presentation of "uncomfortable truths." Local women and men were so inspired by Lucy Stone, who spoke at the convention, they formed an Equal Rights Association immediately afterward. Other nationally-known suffrage speakers who later appeared at the Hall included Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. In 1868, after attempting to vote in a local election, Vineland resident Portia Gage gathered 172 local women to symbolically vote in the first presidential election after the Civil War. At that time, it was the largest suffrage demonstration ever staged in America. When they arrived at the Union Hall, where all voting took place, they set up their own table and a box made from balsa wood and proceeded to cast their unofficial ballots. The demonstration helped raise awareness for all women that there was strength in numbers.