1876 Centennial Celebration

By Heather Green, Visitor Services and Programs Manager at Rose Hill Mansion & Johnston House 

On June 28, Rose Hill is hosting an afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches, and – of course -a variety of teas. In part, the event is a way to enjoy a traditional ritual with homemade goodies and sipping tea from delicate cups. However, the afternoon is much more than that. The setting and food provide an immersive experience in which to learn about the 19^th century

Each month will feature a different theme. In June, the theme is the 1876 centennial celebration. Amid the 250^th anniversary of the United States, I thought it a good time to look at another anniversary of the country. Geneva, as well as the surrounding communities, went all out for the 100^th birthday of the United States.

One reporter from the Geneva Gazette wrote on June 14, 1876, “Such an occasion occurs but once in a century. Let every American citizen make it his business to keep the first centennial of the Fourth of July.”

In Geneva the centennial celebrations began on the evening of July 3^rd with the “Grand Illumination.” Residents were invited to light their houses in a show of civic pride. It seems many residents did so, with particularly interesting ones singled out in the newspaper. For example, both the Prouty and the Chew houses were called “very fine,” though they seem to have been overshadowed by a giant eagle on the home of A. Buttles Smith, which the Geneva Gazette called “conspicuous.”

Rose Hill was not excluded from the centennial celebration, as the newspaper reports on July 7, 1876 that “R.J. Swan’s stately residence across the lake could be distinctly seen glaring with light.”

Independence Day started with a bang – literally! At daybreak, a single cannon was fired to announce the day. A procession began the activities, with a gathering of speeches and music after that. The afternoon was full of race activities for the public, such as a boat race, a foot race, and an attempt to catch a greased pig. A second procession took place with people dressed in costumes, including animal costumes. The “elephant” seemd particularly noteworthy, as it was lively and entertaining. As was tradition then, and still is today, the celebration ended with fireworks.

Outside of New York, Philadelphia hosted the 1876 World’s Fair, officially named the Centennial Exposition. The Geneva Gazette reported that Robert Swan visited the Centennial Exposition in September for the great cattle show.

Aside from the cattle show, another reason for Robert Swan to visit the expo is that somewhere in either the Agricultural Building or the New York Building is a display from Seneca County: a collection of the “finest grains and seeds in the county.” According to its description, Robert Swan contributed wheat to the display.

The 1876 centennial celebrations were not relegated to one day, and going through newspaper accounts, one can read about many schools, churches, and community groups hosting programs, dinners, and concerts throughout the anniversary year.

Please join us for Afternoon Tea at Rose Hill.

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