2018 Year in Review
With burst pipes and falling plaster among other things, the year started off with a bang at Rose Hill.
Two educational programs for homeschooling families were held at the Geneva History Museum. During the programs families visited stations throughout the museum that featured hands-on activities about life in the 1800s.
Teresa Lehr’s lecture on the Spanish Influenza in the Finger Lakes.
Our spring and fall lecture series continued with programs about medicine and World War I.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I, we collected two carloads of personal care items and clothing for active members of the military and veterans. Items were donated to Canandaigua’s Blue Star Mothers.
2018 Geneva City School District Art Show
From art to World War I, we hosted a variety of exhibits this year. Our exhibits were Medicine and Illness: Health Care in Geneva, 2018 Geneva City School District Art Show, A Changing World: Geneva and World War I, Dove’s Geneva, and Growing up in Geneva.
Stenciling in the south parlor of Johnston House.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of Rose Hill becoming a historic house museum. Along with the publication of Rose Hill Mansion: From Progressive Farm to Historic House museum, we commemorated the anniversary with the creation of Rose Hill post-it notes and coloring book, Rose Hill After Hours program series, buy-one-get-one free admission days and the special event Rose Hill Through the Ages.
Exchange Street II, Alexandre Gallery
For three days in June, we celebrated the importance of Dove and his work to Geneva (Dove’ video) with the Dove Tribute Group. Activities included the exhibit opening of Dove’s Geneva, a presentation by Hobart and William Smith Colleges Professor of Sociology Emeritus Jim Spates, a panel discussion with Dove scholars, art historian Alan Pensler and Princeton Professor of Art History Rachael DeLue, and a tour of the Dove Block. A self-guided tour of sites around Geneva connected to Dove and his family, sponsored by the City of Geneva, was also created
In June we celebrated the Finger Lakes region’s breweries with Blues, Brews, and Barbecue.
June concert at Rose Hill
Agonal Rhythm, Miller’s Wheel, and The Three of Us were part of the Rose Hill Concert Series.
Volunteer of the year Dick Buck.
From special events to data entry we could not accomplish all that we do without the support of our volunteers
Enjoying the view of Seneca Lake from Rose Hill.
As part of the cultural landscape report for Rose Hill, Jenny Lauer contacted Ithaca College physics professor Michael “Bodhi” Rogers to help perform a geophysical survey of the property. Over three weeks this summer Jenny and Bodhi, along with two Ithaca College students, used ground-penetrating radar to gather underground data and a 3D laser scanner to record the location of standing architecture features. The data uncovered will be matched against historical photos and other documents to help determine the property’s original landscape design.
Farm Heritage Day at Johnston House
Among the groups to visit RH this summer were members of a brass car club.
Another satisfied customer from the Carriage House Gift Shop.
Over a long weekend, a group did a whirlwind tour of Gettysburg and Washington DC. As part of our trip, we raised the American flag over George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Tour of Glenwood Cemetery
Reynold’s Battery held a Civil War Encampment on the grounds of Rose Hill for Seneca County middle school students.
Whether inside or outside the classroom over 2,300 students was provided a variety of opportunities to explore Geneva’s stories.
Italian themed raffle basket for Geneva BID’s Light Up Geneva Auction
Partnering with community organizations and taking part in community events allows us to reach a broad audience. Along with participating in Festival of Nations, Seneca7 and Bookfest, we donated raffle items to several organizations including baskets to the Geneva Public Library, Lochland, and Boys and Girls
The Adopt an Artifact program was created to help us care for our 1,300 cubic feet of archival materials,50,000 photographs and 7,000 objects.
What is sure to become a must-have in every household – the Geneva Memory Game.
The Women’s Council of the Geneva Historical Society was established in 1969 to further the work of the Historical Society by providing volunteers and financial support. Though the Women’s Council was disbanded in 2012, its primary fundraiser, the Wassail
Bowl and Sale, has continued. 2018 marked the 50th Wassail Bowl and Sale. To date the Council and Wassail Bowl committee has raised $281,544.21 for the Historical Society.
With Breadcrumbs Productions, we hosted a retelling of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.”
Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Our tradition of participating in Wreaths Across America continued in December when a group laid wreaths at Sampson.
Excellent summary. Thanks!