Genesee Country Museum

THE GENESEE COUNTRY MUSEUM WAS CHARTERED IN 1966 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING THE CULTURAL, SOCIAL, ARCHITECTURAL, HORTICULTURAL AND NATURAL HISTORY OF WESTERN NEW YORK AND THE GENESEE VALLEY REGION FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC. THE MUSEUM OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC IN MAY 1976. THE MUSEUM INCLUDES A COLLECTION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, A NATURE CENTER AND AN ART GALLERY.

THE GENESEE COUNTRY VILLAGE & MUSEUM (THE MUSEUM), CHARTERED BY THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, WAS FOUNDED WITH THE GOAL OF PRESERVING PRIME EXAMPLES OF ARCHITECTURE FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK TO PROVIDE HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR THE TELLING OF THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK STATE AND AMERICA IN THE 19TH CENTURY.THROUGH INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND EXHIBITS, THE MUSEUM HELPED APPROXIMATELY 88,055 VISITORS UNDERSTAND THE LIVES AND TIMES OF 19TH-CENTURY AMERICA. THIS UNIQUE LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE PROVIDES MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS INTO THE ORIGINS OF CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, SOCIAL VALUES, AND THE EVOLUTION OF OUR CONTEMPORARY LIFESTYLES.THE MUSEUM IS THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM IN NEW YORK STATE AND MAINTAINS THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN AMERICA. THE 500-ACRE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF 68 HISTORIC STRUCTURES FURNISHED WITH 15,000 ARTIFACTS TO PROVIDE AN AUTHENTIC 19TH-CENTURY ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH VISITORS CAN INTERACT WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE, THIRD-PERSON HISTORIC INTERPRETERS IN PERIOD-APPROPRIATE DRESS. AMONG THE BUILDINGS PRESERVED IN THE HISTORIC VILLAGE ARE COLONEL NATHANIAL ROCHESTER'S HOUSE AND GEORGE EASTMAN'S CHILDHOOD HOME. WE CONSIDER EACH OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS, HISTORIC GARDENS, AND FARM LANDSCAPES (INCLUDING DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENCLOSURES) AN EXHIBIT IN AND OF ITSELF. TRADE, CRAFT, COOKING, AND AGRICULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS OCCUR EVERY DAY. WHEREVER POSSIBLE, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SOME OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO TOUCH, USE, SMELL OR OTHERWISE SHARE THE EXPERIENCE.THE MUSEUM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 17,600 STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES DURING 2023 AND INCLUDED HISTORIC AND NATURE-THEMED TOURS, CLASSES, AND DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AGES 4-16; ADULT CLASSES; AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS, FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND OTHER GROUPS, OUR MOVEABLE MUSEUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFER EDUCATION OFF-SITE AND SERVED APPROXIMATELY 2,020 INDIVIDUALS DURING 2023. THE JOHN L. WEHLE GALLERY WAS COMPLETELY RENOVATED IN 2012 TO INCLUDE STATE OF THE ART STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND A GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM. THE GALLERY NOW SHOWCASES SOME 3,300 RARE 19TH-CENTURY GARMENTS FROM THE SUSAN GREENE COSTUME COLLECTION AS WELL AS A WORLD-CLASS COLLECTION OF WILDLIFE AND SPORTING ART. THE MUSEUM IS ALSO HOME TO THE GENESEE COUNTRY NATURE CENTER, PROVIDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND THE ECOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK STATE AND THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION. THE CENTER FEATURES OVER FIVE MILES OF HIKING TRAILS AND 175 ACRES OF WILDLIFE HABITAT INTERPRETED THROUGH SIGNAGE.