Renovation Project at the Geneva History Museum
May 17, 2024
This week the installation of the heat pump system continued. Currently the museum’s heating system is a combination of steam heat and hot water baseboards. On the first and second floors a modified early 20th century steam heat system provides heat through cast iron radiators. For the Hucker Gallery and the lower level, the heating system is a hot baseboard system initially installed in the 1960s. With poor air circulation and almost no exchange between indoor and outdoor air we resort to leaving windows open, especially in the summer and during the pandemic.
Installation of a heat pump system will have several benefits. First, it will improve the health and safety of our staff, visitors, and volunteers. Second, heat pumps and new windows will improve the building’s energy efficiency. Finally, the system will help mitigate the effects of global warming. Without an HVAC or heat pump system there is not consistent environmental monitoring for our collection storage areas. The heat pump system will help ensure the long-term stability of our collections which have been suffering from mold outbreaks due to increased summer humidity.
May 10, 2024
The demolition of the bathrooms and galleries on the lower level took place this week. Is it too late to change our minds?
Hucker Gallery during demolition.
Another view of the Hucker Gallery during demolition.
Ladies Bathroom during demolition.
Exhibit area outside the Research Room after demolition.
Hucker Gallery after demolition.
May, 3, 2024
As part of the project an elevator is being installed. It will go from what was the former business manager’s office on the first floor to the former men’s bathroom in the basement. This week contractors pulled up the office’s floor boards to see what’s beneath. Part of the 1870 addition, the space was originally the visitors’ waiting room. The floor joists date to the 1870 addition and measure 10 inches by 2.5 inches. We will save a piece of joist as part of the building’s history.
April 26, 2024
The museum’s galleries are cleared out (and it’s a little eerie without the exhibits and visitors in the building). Exhibit cases, artifacts, and other items have either been relocated within the museum or moved to off-site storage. We also took this opportunity to clean out the attic.
Gift Shop, April 2024
Back Office Gallery, April 2024
Exhibit Space Outside the Research Room, April 2024
Hucker Gallery, April 2024
Attic Steps at the Geneva History Museum
How items were moved from the Attic to the dumpster outside. Thank goodness for Rubbermaid tubs!
Preparing to close the museum was a major undertaking. Thank you to the staff and volunteers, especially our Archivist Becky Chapin and Curator John Marks, who helped with this project.
April 15, 2024
Beginning on April 16, the Geneva History Museum will be closed to the public for a renovation project. Chrisanntha Construction will oversee the project that will include-
- Creating a new, accessible front entrance.
- Installing an elevator, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and ADA compliant bathrooms.
- Improvements to the primary exhibit spaces.
The museum will reopen in the fall of 2024.
While museum staff will still be working in the building, during the closure the best way to contact staff is via email at info@historicgeneva.org or call 315-789-5151 Monday – Friday. Though the Research Room will be closed, research requests can be made over the phone, through social media, or via email at archivist@historicgeneva.org. For donations to Historic Geneva’s three dimensional collection email curator@historicgeneva.org or archivist@historicgeneva.org for donations to the archival collection.
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