Geneva City School District Art Show

Come enjoy the work of Geneva's youngest artists! The show includes works by students at West and North Street Elementary Schools, Geneva Middle School and Geneva High School.

The show will be up through May 18, 2013.

Brotherhood: A History of Masons in Geneva

This exhibit focuses on the history of the Society of Freemasons in Geneva and features photos and objects from the Society’s collection and items loaned by Geneva’s two lodges. The exhibit will be open until June 30, 2013.

Freemasons are a fraternal order founded in Great Britain at least as far back as the 18th century. Like many other British institutions, Freemasonry was brought to the United States during the colonial period and traveled west with the population. Masonry’s reputation for rituals and secrecy has sometimes made it a target of conspiracy theorists and, more recently, the fodder for fantastic stories in popular culture. The group’s main purpose, however, is fraternal, focusing on self-improvement and charitable works. Geneva’s Ark Lodge No. 33 was chartered in 1807 and is one of the area's oldest active masonic lodges. A second lodge, Geneva Lodge No. 965, has been active since 1919.

Geneva’s Changing Landscapes

Geneva’s Changing Landscapes is designed as an introduction to the city’s history that will both inspire visitors to learn more about Geneva and provide local residents with a deeper understanding of how their community came to be. The content is drawn from the questions people commonly ask the museum staff: How were the Finger Lakes formed? Why is the city in this spot? What attracted people here in the first place? What is the history of the wineries? Where do people work?

An overview of 300 years of local history, Geneva’s Changing Landscapes tells the story of how that history has been influenced by Geneva’s natural surroundings. Glacial activity created lakes, valleys, and fertile soil. Beginning with early Native Americans, people have come to this area for the natural resources in and around Seneca Lake. Geography continued to influence decisions such as railroad routes in the 19th century and the location of Sampson Naval Training Station near Geneva in the 1940s.

The exhibit was made possible by the New York Council for the Humanities and many generous sponsors: the Wyckoff Family Foundation, Wegmans of Geneva, Red Jacket Orchards, Phelps Sungas, Inc., the Women’s Council of the Geneva Historical Society, Ellen and Kevin Mitchell, Dr. Olaf and Mrs. Elaine Lieberg, Mr. and Mrs. John Shanahan, Ford and Harriot Weiskittel, Charles and Joanne Wisor, and an anonymous donor in the memory of Warren Hunting Smith.

The Charles Bauder Children's Discovery Room.

This exhibit space is designed for children aged six to ten years old. Walled off from the main exhibit gallery, 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, and “re-building” downtown Geneva. There is an interactive model of a roadway through time, featuring toy cars and animals moving along surfaces that simulate a road made of sections of plank, dirt, brick and asphalt.

A mural designed by Trumansburg artist Daniel Burgevin decorates two walls in the Discovery Room. It contains a colorful and lively visual history of Geneva over 300 years. The mural is intended to help children (and adults) place themselves in the history of the community. It depicts events in American and world history on the upper portion and images of landmarks and events in Geneva history on the bottom portion. Families visiting the mural will enjoy sharing memories of the recent events shown on the mural and discussing the significance of events outside of living memory.

The Discovery Room is a long-term exhibit. The exhibit is self-guided and is open during regular museum hours. For more information about the exhibit call the Society at 315-789-5151.

Period Rooms

The Prouty-Chew House features two parlors furnished in the Colonial Revival style of the late 19th century.

E-Mail List

If you would like to be added to our e-mailing list to receive reminders of events and exhibition openings, please send an e-mail to info@genevahistoricalsociety.com with the subject line Mailing List. Our mailing list is used only within the organization and your e-mail address will not be shared or distributed.

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