On Tuesday, August 7, visitors to Rose Hill Mansion can get one admission free with the purchase of one adult admission. This date marks the day in 1837 that William Kirby Strong bought 1200 acres on Seneca Lake and built a grand Greek Revival Mansion overlooking the lake. Rose Hill and the surrounding grounds are now open seasonally for guided tours. Tours of the house run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Admission is $10 for adults.
Following the Strong's occupation, the Swan family purchased the house and 350 acres of farm land in 1850. The house was the center of a busy and productive farm during the Swans' residence. Much of the guided tour focuses on the Swan family. 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 at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. 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.
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 Rose Hill at 315-789-3848. Information is also available at www.genevahistoricalsociety.com.
