Historic Geneva shares and preserves Geneva’s stories through crafted educational experiences that engage the community and visitors with its diverse history.
Bringing Geneva together through shared stories.
Today’s Historic Geneva was founded in 1883 as the Geneva Historical Society. It received a provisional charter in 1905 and a permanent charter from the New York State Department of Education fifty-two years later. A museum was operated in several locations from 1942 to 1960. In 1960, Beverly and Edith Chew deeded their home at 543 South Main Street to the organization. Named the Prouty-Chew House, it has since been home to our offices, archives and the Geneva History Museum. The growing collection and interest in more exhibits and public programs led to the addition of a wing to the rear of the house in 1965. This addition, known as the Hucker Gallery, holds exhibit and program space, collections storage, and an archival vault.
Considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States, Rose Hill Mansion was once the center of a working farm. In 1965, Rose Hill was purchased for the organization by Waldo Hutchins, Jr. in honor of his mother, Agnes Swan Hutchins who was born and raised at Rose Hill. Through the generosity of Mr. Hutchins, the Mansion was restored and opened to the public in 1968. In 1987, Rose Hill Mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The John Johnston House (c. 1820s) was purchased in 1990 as part of the Rose Hill complex. Johnston was a Scottish immigrant who revolutionized American agriculture. He was the first farmer in the United States to use drain tiles and was a vocal advocate for improved farming methods. In 1993, the restored farmhouse opened as a historic house museum. The property also includes the Mike Weaver Drain Tile Museum, which opened in 1999. The Drain Tile Museum displays a collection of drain tiles donated to Historic Geneva by Mike Weaver, a civil engineer who researched and wrote about the history of tile drainage and Johnston’s connection to it. The collection represents 2,000 years of drainage history.
In 2021, we created a new public identity for itself as Historic Geneva, which operates as the institutional public presence under the auspices and legal oversight of the Historical Society.
Historic Geneva is committed to following best practices for museums and nonprofit organizations. We are pleased to share the following policies –