Donate
Blog
Shop
Facebook-square Instagram Youtube Search

Tag: Rose Hill

A group of children watch two women in old-fashioned clothes help a girl use a butter churn in an old-fashioned kitchen.

At Home with the Swans: The Kitchen

Overview of the kitchen at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
View of a Greek Revival mansion with 6 2-story pillars across a lawn and through trees.

At Home with the Swans: The Necessary Room

Overview of the purpose of the Necessary Room in Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Agnes Swan sitting in front of the fireplace in the North Parlor of Rose Hill.

At Home with the Swans: The Parlors

Overview of how the parlors were used at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Historic Geneva and other organizers for the 200th Anniversary Celebration of Lafayette’s Visit to Geneva that was held in Pulteney Park, June 2025

2025 By Number

Overview of Historic Geneva’s activities in 2025.
Read More
View of the breakfast table and chairs in the Breakfast Room in Rose Hill Mansion

At Home with the Swans: Breakfast Room

Closer look at the use and purpose of the Breakfast Room in Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Photo of a of young Robert Swan.

Doing History: Lessons from Robert Swan’s Journals and Social Media

Whether its Robert Swans’ 19th century journals or contemporary social media posts, doing history is recording everyday life.
Read More
Bertha (an inflatable cow) in front of Rose Hill for 2025 Family Day

2025 Year in Review

Overview of Historic Geneva’s activities in 2025 through photos.
Read More
A painting by Margaret Hutchins of a view across a field between two willow trees and shrubs.

Margaret Hutchins: Enterprising and Fearless

Brief biography of Margaret Hutchins.
Read More
Artifact 2 is a glass fire extinguisher bottle that can be found in the kitchen at Rose Hill Mansion

Guess The Artifact

Can you guess these artifacts from Rose Hill Mansion?
Read More
headshot of Heather Green

New Staff Member Joins Historic Geneva

Introduction of new staff member - Heather Green.
Read More
Painting by Margaret Chrystie of an elderly woman sitting in a red chair reading a magazine.

Margaret Chrystie

Learn the story of a Prouty descendent who worked as an artist, painted in Geneva with Margaret Hutchins, and painted a portrait of Agnes Hutchins that hangs at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Oil painting of the front of Rose Hill Mansion

Rose Hill Mansion 2025 Season Opening

Overview of events, programs, and exhibits at Rose Hill in 2025.
Read More
People on tour in Rose Hill Manison

Volunteers Needed at Rose Hill Mansion

Overview of volunteer opportunities at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Two images of the East Tenant Cottage before and after renovations.

History In Progress: Rehabilitating Rose Hill’s Landscape

Like the buildings, the landscape of Rose Hill have gone through many transformations over the years. 
Read More
The floor and furniture covered in the Breakfast Room at Rose Hill.

Preserving History Amidst the Winter’s Chill

Overview of winter maintenance projects at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Engraving-of-Rose-Hill-Mansion

Enhancing Aesthetics & Accessibility: Parking Lot and Driveway Project

Overview of the Rose Hill parking lot and driveway project.
Read More
Looking at an elegant 6-columned Greek revival house across an expanse of lawn from just outside a low white gate.

Wonderful Season at Rose Hill Mansion

Reflections on the 2024 season at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More

A Heartfelt Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to our partners for Family Day.
Read More
Looking at an elegant 6-columned Greek revival house across an expanse of lawn from just outside a low white gate.

2024 Rose Hill Intern

Our summer intern provides an overview of her experience at Rose Hill.
Read More
Two of Swan boys. One is dressed in a suit and the other in a dress.

Exploring Death and Mourning at Rose Hill

Through an exhibit and tours at Rose Hill Mansion visitors will explore 19th century ideas about illness, death, and common practices people used to cope with them.  
Read More
Several barns and other outbuildings at Rose Hill

Bringing the Inside Outside: Rose Hill Landscape Plan

Overview of Historic Geneva’s plan to interpret and rehabilitate the grounds at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
past and current photos of the well house at Rose Hill.

Well House and Garden Shed Roof Project

Brief overview of the well house and garden shed roof project at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
Woman with a dog in her arms standing at the front door of Rose Hill Mansion

Four Years Working and Living at Rose Hill

Reflections on working and living at Rose Hill.
Read More
View between gate posts and across a lawn to a 6-columned Greek style house.

New Season at Rose Hill

Overview of events, programs, and exhibits at Rose Hill in 2024.
Read More
Young woman standing on the front porch of Rose Hill Mansion

Unforgettable Memories and Valuable Opportunities: Interning at Rose Hill

Reasons why students should do an internship at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More
Rose Hill Ornament

Embrace the Hustle: Winter Projects at Rose Hill

Overview of various winter projects at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
People in a classroom

2023 Year In Review

Overview of 2023 in photos.
Read More
students on the front porch of Rose Hill Mansion

Rose Hill 2023 Season Highlights

Overview of the 2023 season at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More
Two women in the garden at Rose HIll

Kitchen Gardens

Information about kitchen gardens and food in the 19th century.
Read More
little boy feeding an ox at Family Day

Reflecting On Family Day

Overview of Family Day at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More
a dog in a kiddie pool and a kitten in a file organizer

Animals at Rose Hill

Brief overview of the animals (past and present) at Rose Hill.
Read More
Young woman standing on the front porch of Rose Hill Mansion

2023 Rose Hill Intern

Our summer intern provides an overview of her experience at Rose Hill.
Read More

2023 Geneva Storytellers’ Awards

Honorees of the 2023 Geneva Storytellers' Awards.
Read More
woman and dog sitting on the front porch of Rose HIll.

  Another Year Living at Rose Hill

Reflections on the benefits and challenges of living at a historic site
Read More

Rose Hill Opening Soon

Overview of events, programs, and exhibits at Rose Hill Mansion in 2023.
Read More
Historic Geneva - Our Past Can Change Your Future

Reflections on the 2022 Community Survey

As part of the strategic planning process, Historic Geneva rewrote it mission statement and conducted a community-wide survey.  The article explores how the survey results are being addressed.    
Read More
View between gate posts and across a lawn to a 6-columned Greek style house.

Call For Interns

Information about internship opportunities available at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More
four people gathering around a table posing with a completed jigsaw puzzle

2022 Year in Review

Overview of 2022 in photographs.
Read More
multi story house surrounded by a fence

Where Would You Live During The Apocalypse?

Depiction of a historic house museum in the TV show, The Walking Dead.
Read More
View between gate posts and across a lawn to a 6-columned Greek style house.

The 2022 Season At Rose Hill

Reflections on the 2022 season at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
A group of people standing in a large hallway listening to a tour guide.

Did You Know…

Brief overview of Historic Geneva and its various activities
Read More
Young man with cow in front of Rose HIll Mansion

Successful Community Day at Rose Hill

Overview of the activities for Community Day at Rose Hill Mansion.
Read More
a man and three women along side water

How Did The Victorians Keep Cool During The Summer?

Overview of how the Swan family and Rose Hill workers dealt with the summer heat during the mid-1800s.
Read More
Outside Rose Hill: An Exploration Of Landscape And Architecture

Summer At Rose Hill

Summer at Rose Hill with the Swan family in the mid-1800s.
Read More
View between gate posts and across a lawn to a 6-columned Greek style house.

Looking Back At My First Year At Rose Hill

The Visitor Services and Program Manager reflects on her first year at Rose Hill.
Read More
Group of people standing in a cemetery near a flagpole.

2021 By Number

Overview of Historic Geneva's activities in 2021.
Read More
View between gate posts and across a lawn to a 6-columned Greek style house.

Spring at Rose Hill

Preparing Rose Hill for the 2022 season.
Read More
Henry Douglas with a pair of oxen

Slavery at Rose Hill

Overview of slavery at Rose Hill
Read More
A man and woman standing next to high snowbanks in a street with commercial buildings on both sides and a church at the end.

Cold, Chilly Victorian Winter

Brief overview of winter activities in the Victorian Era.
Read More
Rose Hill Ornament

New Year, New Season at Rose Hill

New Year activities for the Swan family and Historic Geneva
Read More
Handwritten 1804 Affadavit 002

Slavery in New York State

A brief history of slavery in New York State
Read More
Historic Geneva - Our Past Can Change Your Future

2021 Year in Review

Overview of 2021 in photos.
Read More
Rose Hill Ornament

How Does Our Holiday Celebration Compare to the Victorians?

How Victorian families, like the Swans at Rose Hill, celebrated Christmas
Read More
flowers in a holder outside the building

End of a Great Season

Brief overview of the 2021 season at Rose Hill
Read More
Several barns and other outbuildings at Rose Hill

Changing Seasons at Rose Hill Mansion

Fall at Rose Hill with the Swan.
Read More
ChildTwo children sitting around a counter in a kitchen two parents standing behind it.

What Does Your Kitchen Say About You And How You Live?

A comparison of Rose Hill Mansion's kitchen and modern today kitchens.
Read More
Several barns and other outbuildings at Rose Hill

Rose Hill Mansion’s Landscape: Aesthetic & Utilitarian

How Rose Hill Mansion's landscape was used during the Swan period (1850-1890).
Read More
furniture in the Back Parlor of Rose Hill Mansion covered with sheets

Opening Rose Hill Mansion For The Season

A comparison between Historic Geneva staff preparing Rose Hill Mansion for the season and domestic servants preparing the house for the day during the mid-19th century.
Read More
Looking at an elegant 6-columned Greek revival house across an expanse of lawn from just outside a low white gate.

New Staff Member Joins Historical Society

Introduction of a new staff member - Mel Oles.
Read More

Looks Like We Made It

Reflections on how the Historical Society has been able to remain open virtually and physically.
Read More
Margaret And Kids Masked

We Are Ready, Are You?

Re-opening plans for the Historical Society properties.
Read More
Vacation Inyour Own Backyard Tip•

Vacation In Your Own Backyard

Activities that can be done Geneva throughout the summer
Read More
Table with wine glasses, matted prints, magnets, wine stoppers and other wine-related items for sale.

“Waiting Time”

"View waiting time as a gift of time."
Read More
people sitting in a room

Things I Miss

Musings on things missed during the pandemic.
Read More
blooming purple flowers

At the Intersection of Public History and Public Health: My Pandemic Experience

When public history meets public health.
Read More
students standing outside

2019 By Number

Overview of the Historical Society's 2019 activities
Read More
three people acting out a scene in a semi-dark room

2019 Year in Review

Overview of 2019 in photos.
Read More
square shaped radiator on a stand with rows of circles

“Modern” Heating: The Mattress Steam Radiator at Rose Hill Mansion

A chronicle of the mattress steam radiator at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More

Greek Revival Architecture: The Basics

An introduction to Greek Revival Architecture.
Read More
man in colonial dress

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.
Read More
View on the Behind-the-Scenes tour through a 6-over-pane window across a pitched roof and field to a lake.

What’s a Belvedere?

Answers to commonly asked questions at Rose Hill Mansion - what is a belvedere and why is it called that?
Read More
Looking at an elegant 6-columned Greek revival house across an expanse of lawn from just outside a low white gate.

New staffer at Rose Hill and Johnston House

Introduction of a new staff member
Read More
A man wearing bowler hat and holding a dog stands with two women in high-necked dresses in fornt of a mansion.

After the Swans: The Smiths, 1896-1912

The Smith family lived at Rose Hill from 1896 to 1912.
Read More

After the Swans: The Plummers, 1890 – 1893

The Plummers lived at Rose Hill from 1890 to 1893
Read More
1967-students-protest-with-signs

1968: A Year of Change

1968, the year the Geneva Historical Society opened Rose Hill Mansion as a museum, was a year of momentous change.
Read More

There’s Nothing Like A Model T

A visit to Rose Hill by the Model T Ford Club International provides insights into the Model T.
Read More

Without Asking Permission: The Life of Agnes Swan Hutchins

From 1850 to 1889 Robert and Margaret Johnston Swan lived at Rose Hill on Seneca Lake. The couple had three girls and three boys. Unfortunately, five of their children died young – the boys in childhood, the eldest girl, Mary, in childbirth at 33, and the middle daughter, Maggie, of heart trouble at 44. Only the youngest daughter, Agnes, lived what we would today consider a normal lifespan.
Read More

Night Life Victorian Style

Before electricity, what did Victorian families do in the evenings? For some the answer was simple – they went to sleep. Others did a variety of activities by candlelight, oil lamp or gas light
Read More

Uncle Doctor

Robert Swan’s youngest brother Frederick wrote a history of the Swan family in the 1890s. In it, he talks about their Uncle Daniel, or, as they called him, “Uncle Doctor:” [H]e made choice of the profession of medicine, and studied with Dr. John Brooks, then the resident physician of Medford. . . . Early in his practice, his attention was directed to the system of medical practice known as homeopathy and it won his approval.
Read More
Looking at an elegant 6-columned Greek revival house across an expanse of lawn from just outside a low white gate.

Rose Hill Turns 175!

When newly built, President Martin Van Buren visited Rose Hill Mansion 175 years ago.
Read More

Meet the Neighbors: John Delafield

Biography of John Delafield who was a neighbor to Robert Swan.
Read More

Workers at Rose Hill Farm

As we saw last month, the Swans at Rose Hill relied on female workers to do much of the housework and childcare. Running the farm operations required male workers.
Read More
Print of a woman at an antique washing machine with the words: All Come Out Clean!

Herman Ten Eyck Foster, Part 3

The final part in a series about Herman Ten Eyck Foster, who was a neighbor to Robert Swan.
Read More

Herman Ten Eyck Foster Part 2

Part two in a series about Herman Ten Eyck Foster, who was a neighbor to Robert Swan.
Read More

Meet the Neighbors: Herman Ten Eyck Foster, Part 1

Part one in a series about Herman Ten Eyck Foster, who was a neighbor to Robert Swan.
Read More
An advertisement for Union Carbide gas urging people to install it before winter.

Lighting at Rose Hill

Discussion of the early the electrical system at Rose Hill.
Read More
A honey bee hovers on a thistle flower.

Honeybees: A Brief Overview and the Bees at Rose Hill

Brief history of honeybees and how a colony was removed at Rose Hill Mansion
Read More
Engraving-of-Rose-Hill-Mansion

Sustainable Agriculture, c. 1860

Robert Swan's farming practice was what the modern observer could call sustainable.
Read More
An engraving showing men firing down a city street at soldiers with cannons. Several dead and wounded are on the ground and a woman rushes toward one of them.

New York City Draft Riots

Robert Swan's reaction to the draft during the Civil War
Read More
two views of Seneca Lake

From Lake to Table (Fish Dinner from Catch to Table)

The Swan family's experience with muskellunge
Read More

A Site Manager’s Day

Typical day of the site manager of Rose Hill and Johnston House
Read More

Freezing Fingers, Toasted Toes: Heating in America

A comfortable house in winter was a rare thing in much of the United States prior to the late 19th century. According to one English visitor to Cayuga, NY in 1827, American houses were built “expressly for summer, without the slightest reference to the six months’ winter that they suffer.”
Read More