New Tour Explores Little-Known History of the Antisuffrage Movement

Geneva, N.Y.: This summer the Geneva Historical Society will introduce  a new special tour, Agnes and the Antis. This year marks the centennial of women achieving the right to vote in New York State. However, a century ago not all women wanted the vote, and many opposed the passage of the suffrage amendment to the New York State Constitution. Among them was Agnes Swan Hutchins (1864-1951) who served as the President of the Geneva Auxiliary of the New York Association Opposed to Suffrage.
 
Born and raised at Rose Hill, how did Agnes become an anti-suffragist? During the tour visitors will explore the life and times of Agnes and come to understand why she (and other women) became antisuffragists.
 
The tour is one hour long and will be offered twice a month June through August: Tuesday, June 13, July 11 and August 8 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, June 17, July 15 and August 12 at 11 a.m. This special tour is not the same as our regular tour.
 
Admission for the tour is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children 10 to 18. Free for members of the Geneva Historical Society. As space is limited, reservations are required for Agnes and the Antis. 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 June and daily from July 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.