Current Exhibits

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  • Temporary Exhibits

  • Comet Finder: Dr. William R. Brooks

    Astronomer and comet finder William Brooks lived and worked in Geneva from 1887 until his death in 1921. He was the second most prolific visual finder of comets in the history of astronomy, having documented 27 over the course of his life. Sixteen of these he found from his observatory in Geneva. Learn more about his life in the town and see several artifacts associated More »
  • Lift Every Voice: Geneva’s Black Community Since 1966

    This exhibit explores the history of Geneva’s Black community since the period of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It continues the story started in the 1991 exhibit and 1993 book Make A Way Somehow: African American Life in a Northern Community 1790-1965. On the 30th anniversary of the book’s publication, Historic Geneva revisits the story of Geneva’s Black community and examines the changes More »
  • Long Term Exhibits

  • Furnished Period Rooms

    The Geneva History Museum features two rooms with furniture and decorative arts ranging from early American to the Colonial Revival style of the late 19th century.
  • The Charles Bauder Children’s Discovery Room

    Designed for children aged six to ten years old, the colorful 240-square-foot space contains hands-on activities and books that allow children to explore aspects of local history and culture. Activities focus on Seneca basket making and beadwork, historic clothing, transportation, and “re-building” downtown Geneva. Two of the walls sport a mural designed by Trumansburg artist Daniel Burgevin, which contains a colorful and lively visual history More »
  • Geneva’s Changing Landscapes

    Much of Geneva’s history is related to its surroundings. For centuries, people have been drawn to Geneva for the land and water: abundant wildlife, fertile soil, and east-west transportation routes. Today, we often lose sight of how the land continues to shape Geneva’s identity. Geneva’s Changing Landscapes examines Geneva through environmental history, which is the study of how humans relate to, use, and affect (or More »