Geneva, N.Y.: In honor of its 50th anniversary as an historic house museum, Rose Hill Mansion will have a number of Buy-One-Get-One Free Admission days this fall, beginning with Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 2. Additional dates mark holidays and important dates in the history of the building:
- September 4, the birthday of Waldo Hutchins, Jr. who paid for the restoration of the house in memory of his mother, Agnes Swan Hutchins.
- September 6, the date in 1839 that President Martin Van Buren dined at Rose Hill.
- September 28, the date in 1968 that Rose Hill opened as an historic house museum.
- October 18, the date in 1802 that the Rose Hill property was purchased by John Nicholas and Robert Rose.
- October 20, the date in 1827 that Margaret Johnston Swan, mistress of Rose Hill from 1850 to 1889, was born.
- October 24, the date in 1864 that Agnes Swan Hutchins, who lived at Rose Hill from 1864 to 1890, was born.
On BOGO days, visitors can get one admission free with the purchase of one adult admission. Note: the house is closed on Labor Day and Columbus Day.
Once a working farm, Rose Hill and the surrounding grounds are now 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. Much of the guided tour focuses on the Swan family who lived there from 1850 to 1890. Through family letters, photographs, and diaries, visitors explore their joys and sorrows, and their interactions with neighbors and the many workers required to keep the large house and farm in working order. Twenty rooms of the house are restored and furnished in the Empire style, popular from the 1820s to 1850s. The property also has a terrific 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.
Rose Hill Mansion is located at 3373 Route 96A, about a mile south of Routes 5&20, near Geneva, New York. The house is open May 1 to October 31, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays. The last daily tour is at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. The grounds are open year round, free of charge.
Admission is by guided tour only and is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children 10 to 18. Children 9 and under are free. A family rate of $25 is available for two adults and one or more children aged 10 to 18 in the same household. Discounts offered for group tours. Reservations required for groups.
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 after May 1. Information is also available at www.genevahistoricalsociety.com.
