Exhibitions
Located in the heart of downtown on Third Street, the Geneva History Museum offers a 3,000 square-foot Main Gallery, Geneva’s Story, a 950 square-foot feature gallery that changes each year. Children's Gallery Exhibitions offered each summer.
Come see all of the updates and additions to the Main Gallery. Behind-the-scenes tours of the new Archives and Collections storage shelving may be available upon request.
Admission includes two museum galleries - $5/adult; $2/ages 3-10; FREE Tuesdays
FREE for Museum Members
Hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesdays thru Saturdays
Main Gallery
Geneva's Story
COME SEE THE ADDITIONS TO THE MAIN GALLERY!
Geneva’s story is all around us. It is shaped by the river, connected by the railroad, advanced by development, and enhanced by people who visit or call it home. Chapter by chapter, discover our evolving community. We invite you to hear stories, explore objects, and share memories. Explore oral histories, videos and more images on five iPad stations or sit and relax in the Fargo Theater to discover more of Geneva’s rich history. NEW Story Booth where you can listen to or record your Geneva stories, and two new chapters have been added.
Feature Gallery
100 Years of The Little Traveler
Kate Howard grew up with a love of travel and adventure through her experience with her father’s Howard Shipyards. Kate and Edmond Raftery came to Geneva in 1915 and later purchased 404 South Third Street. Kate had several connections with counts and ambassadors who brought her rare and unique items from all over the world. She displayed these items on her grand piano and invited friends over to purchase them. On September 29, 1922, it was announced in The Geneva Republican newspaper that “The Raftery cottage will hereafter be the home of the Geneva Gift Shop, under the supervision of Mrs. Edmond Raftery.”
At the age of 52 and with no previous business experience, Kate Howard Raftery started Geneva’s Little Traveler. The Little Traveler was the first residence turned business on South Third Street and Kate encouraged others to start their own businesses, including the famous Mill Race Inn, Robin’s Book Shop and Marian Michael’s Children’s Clothing Shop.
Come explore the story of this 100-year-old business that put Geneva on the map as a high fashion, antique mecca and artsy town. View Kate’s going-away wedding coat, puppets used to entertain children, and hand-painted dressing room doors by world-renown artist, William Moulis.
Admission includes a coupon to shop at The Little Traveler.
Summer Children's Gallery
June 18 - August 20
Building Geneva
A hands-on children's architecture exhibition featuring planning, designing and building activities with references to Geneva buildings and homes. Children can become architects by designing their own room; learn how to build brick patterns; construct a life-size log cabin; explore alphabet shapes found in architecture. This exhibition is sponsored by the Friends of Fabyan Foundation. Special contributions by Tom Kohorst and Craig Elliott.
Join us for free Story Times at 10 AM, July 12 & August 9. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 with adult supervision. No registration required.
