Geneva, N.Y.: This summer the Geneva Historical Society will introduce a new special tour, A Taste of Rose Hill, focused on the history of food and food production at Rose Hill Mansion between 1850 and 1890. The tour is one hour long and will be offered on four dates: Tuesday, July 12 and August 16 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, July 16 and August 20 at 11 a.m. This special tour is not the same as our regular tour.
On the tour, visitors will learn how the Swan family produced different types of food on their farm and how food was preserved, prepared and presented at their table. We will explore how these processes shifted over the 19th century as elements of food production, preservation, and preparation were mechanized and standards of presentation rose. Part of the tour will also focus on 19th-century beliefs about the connection between food, health and gender roles. The tour will include samples of the scents and tastes of 19th-century-style foods.
Admission for the tour is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children 10-18. Children under 10 and members of the Geneva Historical Society are free. As space is limited, reservations are required for A Taste of Rose Hill. They may be made by calling Rose Hill Mansion at 315-789-3848.
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 site. The tasting room is open weekends in May and daily from late June to September.
Rose Hill Mansion is located at 3373 Route 96A, about a mile south of Routes 5&20, near Geneva, New York.
Rose Hill 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.
