This fall the Geneva Historical Society will offer special Behind-the-Scenes Tours of Rose Hill Mansion on the first Saturdays of September and October. These tours are not the same as our regular tours and are an opportunity for visitors to see and learn about areas of the house not usually accessible to visitors, including the basement and cupola. The tours will be held at 11am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm and 3:30pm on September 5 and October 3.
The Behind-the-Scenes Tour is appropriate for adults and children 15 years and older. Please be advised that there are many stairs to climb and some confined spaces included in the tour. Because of these limitations, space on the tour is limited, and reservations are required. Reservations may be made by calling Rose Hill at 315-789-3848.
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 site. The tasting room is open daily from June to October.
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 grounds are open year round, free of charge.
Admission for the Behind the Scenes Tour is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for teens.
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 315-789-3848. Information is also available at www.genevahistoricalsociety.com.
