Geneva, N.Y.: Rose Hill Mansion will open its doors free of charge on Saturday, September 23, 2017, as part of Smithsonian Magazine’s annual Museum Day Live! On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington DC-based facilities, which offer free admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket.
Inclusive by design, the event represents Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone. Last year’s event drew over 200,000 participants, and this year’s event is expected to attract more museum-goers than ever before.
Once a working farm, the house and surrounding grounds at Rose Hill are open seasonally for guided tours. Built in 1839, the elegant Greek Revival house was the center of a busy and productive farm at mid-century, occupied by the Swan family from 1850-1890. Twenty rooms of the house are restored and furnished in the Empire style, popular from the 1820s to 1850s. The property also has a magnificent view of Seneca Lake and nearby farmlands.
The Rose Hill Mansion Gift Shop is open whenever the house is open. The shop carries historically-inspired and locally made items, as well as souvenirs, history books, jewelry and home decorative items. A tasting room operated by Billsboro Winery is also located on the grounds at Rose Hill. Open weekends only in September, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rose Hill Mansion is located at 3373 Route 96A, about a mile south of Routes 5&20, near Geneva, New York. The house will be open on Museum Day Live from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last tour will be at 3:30 p.m.
Admission to Rose Hill is by guided tour only. The Museum Day Live! ticket is available for download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two on September 23, 2017. One ticket per household is permitted. Regular admission to Rose Hill is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children 10 to18. Children 9 and under are always free.
For more information about Museum Day Live! 2017 and a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2017/.
Rose Hill Mansion is administered by the Geneva Historical Society at 543 South Main Street, Geneva, New York. For more information about visiting Rose Hill, call the Geneva Historical Society at 315-789-5151 or call Rose Hill at 315-789-3848. Information is also available at www.genevahistoricalsociety.com.
