Geneva Historical Society

Karen Osburn's collection of horses and bears is on display in the Geneva History Museum now through January.

Although the Archives are not open to the public, research requests can be made over the phone, via e-mail or through social media. Along with genealogy questions, topics have included Genesee Park, the City Charter, Sampson, the local response to the 1918 flu epidemic, and Scott LaFaro To continue sharing and preserving Geneva’s stories we need you help and we ask you to contribute to our Annual Support Campaign by going to https://bit.ly/2JLSwBc. Every contribution, no matter the size is greatly appreciated. Each gift ensures that Geneva’s stories are part of our present and future.

Our weekly blog articles examine various aspects of Geneva’s stories. Everyone has their own Geneva. If you could capture your Geneva in just one photo, what would it be? In this week's article our Director of Education and Public Information Anne Dealy shares her Geneva - https://genevahistoricalsociety.com/mus/my-geneva-is-dealy/

After temporarily closing its doors on March 17, the Geneva Historical Society will reopen the Geneva History Museum to the public on Monday, July 13. The Museum will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. While guided tours of the Rose Hill Mansion are currently not being offered, tours of the architecture and grounds will be held on Thursdays at 11 am beginning on July 23. The Carriage House Gift Shop at Rose Hill will also be open on weekends starting o...n July 18 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Both the Geneva History Museum and Rose Hill will operate at a reduced capacity while enacting new safety measures, including social distancing and enhanced sanitizing and cleaning protocols. As a result the Archives will not open at this time and the Historical Society will not be accepting donations to the collection. While we are grateful to return, our priority is the health and safety of our visitors, local community and staff. Over the past weeks, we’ve carefully developed reopening guidelines in accordance with state guidelines, directives from the CDC, and museum best practices. Our staff has also worked hard to gather necessary supplies, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and cleaning products. These new procedures will ensure we’re meeting the highest level public health standards while maintaining the excellence of the visitor experience. Cleaning will be enhanced throughout the Geneva History Museum and the Carriage House Gift Shop at Rose Hill, including increased frequency of disinfecting high touch areas. Hand sanitizer will also be readily available. In accordance with New York State guidelines, Historical Society staff and volunteers, as well as all visitors will be required to wear facing coverings; complimentary masks will be provided for visitors who need one. To review the Historical Society’s complete re-opening statement and plan, go to https://genevahistoricalsociety.com/re-opening-statement/. Continue to check our website and social media channels for up-to-date information on the re-opening of the Historical Societies properties.

Parishioners at St. Francis DeSales Church on Exchange Street celebrating the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to a farmer outside Mexico City and gave proof of her visitation with roses in December and her image on the farmer's cloak. Mexican Catholics, and those in other Hispanic countries, celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Photo by Spencer Tulis, Finger Lakes Times. Do you have photos you'd like to share? Let us know!

Our weekly blog articles examine various aspects of Geneva’s stories. This week's article chronicles St. Patrick's Cemetery -https://genevahistoricalsociety.com//st-patricks-cemetery/

The origins of The Nutcracker ballet is based in literature. In 1816 German writer E.T.A. Hoffman published the novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Twenty- eight years later Alexandre Dumas (author of The Count of Monte Crisco and The Three Musketeers) translated and readapted Hoffman’s novella. The Story of the Nutcracker is sweeter and tamer than the original story. Dumas also changed the name of the main character from Marie to Clara. The Nutcracker ...ballet, which debuted in 1892 is based on the Dumas version. Enjoy a holiday tradition with a new twist. Like the Wassail Bowl and Sale, the Holiday Market features items donated and handcrafted by community members. The Holiday Market is being held in the Hucker Gallery at the Geneva History Museum. Get into the holiday spirit and shop for gifts or decorations while supporting the Geneva Historical Society. With new items added regularly you may want to stop by more than once. The booths are handcrafted gifts; pickles and preserves; local books, ornaments and memorabilia; antiques and collectibles; and gently used Christmas decorations. A selection of wreaths is still available. Admission to the Holiday Market is free of charge. All proceeds benefit the Geneva Historical Society. For the protection of our community, safety measures, including face coverings, social distancing and capacity restrictions, will be in place during the Holiday Market. For those more comfortable with a private shopping experience, 30 minute and 60 minute blocks of time to browse and shop are available on December 14, 15 or 16 from 10 am to 3 pm. A shopper can come alone or bring up to two additional people. To schedule a private shopping time, call the Historical Society office at 315-789-5151. The Geneva History Museum is located at 543 South Main Street, Geneva. Parking is on the street or in the Trinity Episcopal Church lot across the street.

Cabbage is more appropriate at this time of year but this is green beans at Seneca Foods in 1996.

You just inherited, found, or were entrusted with an important historical artifact. The item may be related to your family, a business, or an event. It may have any number of other criteria that make it worth saving. How do you preserve it for future generations? Join City Historian Karen Osburn on November 4 during lunch for a virtual discussion on what to do to make that artifact last longer. A device, internet connection, and email address are necessary to participate. To register go to https://bit.ly/3ee1YZz. The necessary login information will be sent to you via email 24 hours prior to the program. For any problems with registration or to register by phone, call the Historical Society office at 315-789-5151.

To look up your polling location for Election Day, go to https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/.

This Oakley photo was labeled Mrs. Dox, Pine Street, Halloween party. I'm guessing late 1940s or early 1950s, does anyone have more information?

Enjoy a holiday tradition with a new twist. Like the Wassail Bowl and Sale, the Holiday Market will feature items donated and handcrafted by community members. The Holiday Market will be held in the Hucker Gallery at the Geneva History Museum on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from December 3 to 19. There are a few ways to support the Holiday Market and the Historical Society. Donations are need for Handcrafted Gifts. This booth is for one-of-a-kind handmade items (crocheted, knitted, embroidered, and quilted). Donations to the Holiday Market can be dropped off at the Geneva History Museum Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm through November 25. Questions or for more information, call the Historical Society office at 315-789-5151.

Geneva Women's Club Halloween party, 1948.

What's your favorite school Halloween memory? Did you march in the downtown Spookeree parade? This is a PB Oakley photo from West Street School, 1957.

Cadet Nurses as the Seven Dwarves in 1947.

Time for some Halloween photos! In 1944, this was, left to right, Frances Arofino, Connie Palace, Addie Cecere, Dorothy Ross, and I think Joseph Leonard holding the apple.

In 1996 the Seneca Whale Watch tried to break a record for the most people playing harmonica at the same time - these are a few of Jan Regan's photos.