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Form Follows Function: The Octagon House
A short history of the octagon house at 760 Castle Street. -
Geneva’s First Burying Ground
Brief history of Geneva’s first burial ground -
Cornell Agritech
A brief history of the site Cornell Agritech (formerly the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station) now stands on. -
Geneva’s Lakefront: 1904 and Today
A 1904 map of Geneva's lakefront reveals the extent of change that has occurred in the built environment and residents' attitudes about it in 120 years. -
1873 Geneva Bird’s-Eye View
An 1873 Geneva bird's-eye view represents a popular art form in 19th-century America and details the city's built environment. -
Jean MacKay Henrich and Pulteney Park
The story behind the statue “Peace“ in Pulteney Park. -
1925 Solar Eclipse
Newspaper accounts about the 1925 solar eclipse and the unsuccessful balloon ascension. -
From Pre-Emption Park to Courtyard Apartments
A reflection on our November 2023 Community Conversation and housing in Geneva -
People from the St. Patrick’s Cemetery 2023 Tour
Overview of the residents featured in the 2023 tour of t Patrick's Cemetery -
Irving Hall
A brief history of Irving Hall located on Seneca Street. -
Houghton House
A brief history of Houghton House on the campus of Hobart and William Smith College. -
Animals at Rose Hill
Brief overview of the animals (past and present) at Rose Hill. -
The Interesting Life of Smith’s Park
Overview of Smith’s Park, developed by nurseryman and philanthropist William Smith. -
We Were Here In 1898: Buildings and Places
Overview of buildings and places around Geneva that existed in 1898 and are still here today -
Hearing From You: The Breuer Hotel
Brief history of the Breuer Hotel. -
Cracker Factory
The third and final post about 35 Lehigh Street in Geneva, New York. -
Geneva Cutlery Company
The second in a series of posts about 35 Lehigh Street in Geneva, New York. Includes a brief history of the Geneva Cutlery Company -
The Geneva Shears Company
The first in a series of posts about 35 Lehigh Street in Geneva, New York. Includes a brief history of the Geneva Shears Company. -
Grace Willowdale Episcopal Church
A brief history of Grace Willowdale Episcopal Church., -
The Prouty-Chew House: From Family Home to Museum and Work Space
There were many changes involved in transforming the Prouty-Chew house from a house to a museum. -
The Willows Along Seneca Lake
A brief history of the Willows along Seneca Lake in Geneva. -
Food and Drinks Businesses in Downtown Geneva
Brief histories of downtown buildings in Geneva, that are currently bars and restaurants -
Over the River and Through the Woods: Loomis Wood
A history of the Loomis Woods. -
The Pre-Emption Line, Part 4
The fourth and final article in a series about the Pre-Emption Line. -
Fossenvue
A brief history of the summer camp Fossenvue on Seneca Lake. -
The Pre-Emption Line, Part 3
The third article in a series about the Pre-Emption Line. -
My Geneva Is … Then and Now
Photographs are important to documenting Geneva's stories. One example is the photographs for a lot on Lake Street. -
The Prouty Family Home
Discover how the Prouty-Chew House changed over the Prouty family's forty-year residence. -
Summer At Rose Hill
Summer at Rose Hill with the Swan family in the mid-1800s. -
Seneca Lake Park: From City Park to State Park
A brief history of Seneca Lake State Park -
More Stories from St. Patrick’s Cemetery
Overview of some of the residents of St Patrick's Cemetery -
Changing Seasons at Rose Hill Mansion
Fall at Rose Hill with the Swan. -
Temple Theatre and Regent Theater
Brief histories of the Temple Theatre and Regent Theater -
From Home to Museum: A Brief History of Johnston House
How the Johnston House evolved from a home into a museum. -
Rose Hill Mansion’s Landscape: Aesthetic & Utilitarian
How Rose Hill Mansion's landscape was used during the Swan period (1850-1890). -
The Missing House on Park Place
The story of the missing house - 12 Park Place -
Lakeside Park
A brief history of Lakeside Park in Geneva. -
DeSales High School: The Early Years
A look at the early history of DeSales High School -
Mystery of the Mill
A brief history of the flour and grist mill on Castle Street -
St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Part 2
A selection of veterans buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery -
St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Part 1
Overview the history of St. Patrick's Cemetery and some of its residents -
What’s In A Name? Geneva’s Street Names
The stories behind some of Geneva’s street names -
Memories of Geneva Rollerdrome
A brief history and memories of the Geneva Rollerdrome. -
What’s Next? Future Historic Preservation in Geneva
Discussion of future historic preservation in Geneva. -
Historic Preservation Month
Review of recent historic preservation projects in Geneva. -
Meet Gerald and Viacita Fowler, Part 1
Gerald Folwer and his work at the Schine theatres in Geneva. -
Brookside Cemetery
Brief history of Brookside Cemetery. -
St. Patrick’s Cemetery: A Story of Immigration in Geneva
Brief history of Irish and Italian immigration to Geneva. -
Greek Revival Architecture: The Basics
An introduction to Greek Revival Architecture. -
An Original, Almost – George Washington’s Portrait at Rose Hill Mansion
The story of Jane Stuart and her portrait of George Washington at Rose Hill. -
What’s a Belvedere?
Answers to commonly asked questions at Rose Hill Mansion - what is a belvedere and why is it called that? -
Christmas in Geneva 50 Years Ago
Christmas shopping based on ads from the November 27, 1968 edition of the Geneva Times. -
And, what do we have here
Is Geneva undergoing gentrification? -
Nehemiah Denton
The story of Nehemiah Denton. -
The Finger Lakes: Descriptions for People Who Don’t Know, Aren’t Certain or Have Never Been
Finger Lakes 101 -
Modern Living with 16th Century Charm: Geneva’s Row Houses
Brief history of Geneva's row houses -
Every Building Tells a Story: Retail Architecture, Part II
Second in a series about retail architecture in Geneva. -
Every Building Tells A Story: Retail Architecture, Part I
First in a series about retail architecture in downtown Geneva. -
Howard & Union Streets
A brief history of Howard and Union Streets -
Glenwood Cemetery
Brief history of Glenwood Cemetery -
Every Building Tells a Story: Brook and North Brook Streets
A brief history of Brook and North Brook Streets. -
Celebrating the Washington Street Cemetery Arch
A brief history of the recently reinstalled Washington Street Cemetery Arch. -
Adobe Houses in Geneva
Overview of adobe houses in Geneva, New York. -
Sherrill Street
A brief history of Sherrill Street. -
Surviving Houses on Hamilton Street
Hamilton Street has undergone the most change of any existing street in Geneva. -
Geneva’s Stories: Urban Renewal in Geneva Part Two
Second part of a two-part series on the impact of 1960s Urban Renewal on Geneva, NY. -
Geneva’s Stories: Urban Renewal in Geneva
The first video in a monthly series of short Geneva history stories, beginning with Urban Renewal. -
Building A Better Geneva: Urban Renewal, Part II
After seven years of applying for Urban Renewal money, evaluating property conditions and values, and organizing the work, demolition began in March 1966. -
Building A Better Geneva: Urban Renewal, Part I
For those of us of a certain age, urban renewal is the scapegoat for unpleasant change in our communities. “Why did they [always an unnamed “they”] tear down X, Y, and Z?” “Urban renewal.” While I sympathize with mourning the loss of what used to be, I wanted to find out what urban renewal really was, why communities embraced it, and who “they” were. -
Geneva’s Oldest Burial Grounds
One of the oldest burial grounds in Geneva was the Pulteney Street Burial Ground. I say one of the oldest because the first burials appear to have taken place where Trinity Episcopal Church stands today. -
March!
The month of March is upon us with wildly unpredictable weather. March is the month of wind, sun, snow, rain, sleet, and it usually has a complete temperature rollercoaster. I have a real love/hate affair with March. The days get longer; the sun comes out more and then just as I begin looking for crocuses, daffodils, primroses and violets in the garden we get socked More » -
Geneva Downtown Commercial Historic District
By John Marks, Curator of Collections and Exhibits About 18 months ago I wrote about the details of national, state, and local historic preservation programs. They bear revisiting in the wake of the National Register of Historic Places approving the Geneva Downtown Commercial Historic District. The district includes most of traditional downtown, the rectangle formed by Seneca, Exchange, Castle, and Main Streets. Linden Street More » -
Lift Up Thine Eyes: The Upper Floors of Downtown Geneva
Overview of downtown Architecture -
Looking Back on Chocolate Almond Coffee Cake and Department Stores
Brief history of J. W. Smith Dry Goods Co. -
Geneva House Architecture
Overview of Geneva's residential architecture. -
Geneva’s Armory: Form and Function
Overview of the history of Geneva's Armory building. -
Linden Street
Geographically, Linden Street is the heart of downtown. -
Pierce and Bickford
Brief biography of architects Joseph Pierce and Hiriam Bickford. -
Geneva’s Changing Waterfront
Seneca Lake and its shore have always been valuable commodities to Geneva, but the nature of that value is always changing. -
From Lake to Table (Fish Dinner from Catch to Table)
The Swan family's experience with muskellunge -
No Free Money: Historic Preservation 101
Historic Preservation 101
Historic Geneva is a history museum in the Finger Lakes region of New York State which focuses on the history of Geneva, NY, historic architecture, genealogy, and the area's industry and agriculture. The Society maintains four historic 19th century properties, an archive and library, a museum and runs programs and events related to the history of Geneva and the Finger Lakes area.