Group Programs & Tours
BUILD YOUR GENEVA EXPERIENCE
Choose a Group Program and/or Tour and add an Experience to create a special day in Geneva, Illinois. Group Programs and Tours can also be given on their own at the museum or they can come to you.* All programs include a swag bag of offers from Geneva shops and restaurants and admission to the museum. Minimum 10 people. For more information or to make a reservation call 630-232-4951 or email info@GenevaHistoryMuseum.org
GROUP PROGRAMS
The following 45-minute programs are presented by museum staff with images and Geneva stories. $20/person
Catalog Homes: Ordered by mail and shipped by rail. Explore some of the 40+ catalog homes in Geneva.
Crimes & Criminals: The darker side of Geneva's history from the 1800s to the present.
Disasters & Destruction: From tornadoes to fires, hear about disasters that have rocked this city.
Famous Geneva: Stories of when Geneva was the backdrop for a few Hollywood movie sets, the famous people who have visited Geneva, and some of our residents who became famous.
Hats Off to Geneva!: The history of hats and Geneva's millinery greats
HerStory: Learn about some of Geneva's amazing women and their impact.
History of The Little Traveler: Celebrate one of Geneva's most iconic businesses with a pictorial presentation including interviews of former employees.
History of South Third Street: How Geneva's iconic shopping district transformed from residential to commercial.
John F. Kennedy's Geneva Visit: J.F.K.'s itinerary on October 25, 1960, including his stop in Geneva.
Moved Houses: Learn about the many homes in Geneva that have traveled through town and why.
Story of our 18th century Crèche: Hear unique stories behind this rare Neapolitan masterpiece, purchased in 1930 by the founder of The Little Traveler.
Swedish Immigration: At one time Geneva was more than half Swedish, from Swedish Days and dala horses, explore Geneva's early heritage.
Who Was Nelle Fabyan? Learn about the woman behind Geneva's famous Colonel George Fabyan and the legacy she left behind.
*additional charge for travel may apply
TOURS
A museum guide can Hop-On your van, get on bikes, or take a walk through town to share interesting stories of houses, buildings and people. Each tour is approximately 45-minutes. $20/person
HOP-ON TOURS
Architecture: Highlighting some of Geneva's beautiful homes and buildings.
Historic District: Tour Geneva's charming downtown and learn what makes Geneva so special.
East Side: Explore Geneva's east side with stories of catalog homes and the Fox River.
Pub Crawl: Hear stories of Geneva's pubs and taverns. Choose a pub for your drop off location.
South Side: A scenic drive that includes Route 31 and Colonel Fabyan's estate.
South West Side: Learn bout Geneva Golf Club, Western Avenue School, Eaglebrook and Henry Fargo's mansion.
North West Side Tour: Hear stories of industry, an early Swedish area, and two of Geneva's schools.
BIKE TOUR
Enjoy a seven-mile guided bike tour of Geneva including trails along the scenic Fox River, Fabyan Forest Preserve, and historic downtown.
Start and end at Mill Race Cyclery with several stops throughout including a visit to the Geneva History Museum. Limited to 12 participants. Tour lasts 2 hours. Additional fee for bike rentals through Mill Race Cyclery.
WALKING TOURS
Explore historic Geneva on foot and up close with a museum guide. Tours are 45-minutes.
Historic Walking Tour: Walk on the streets of downtown Geneva and hear the stories of then and now.
Westside Cemetery Tour: Visit Geneva's oldest cemetery and learn the stories of the people who are buried there and the meanings of the markings on tombstones.
Ghost Walk: Downtown Geneva has many spirits that have unfinished business. Walk and hear stories of paranormal activity and of the people who continue to experience it.
EXPERIENCES
The museum can arrange the following experiences for your group to follow a program or tour.
Lunch at The Little Traveler: Enjoy lunch at Geneva’s iconic The Little Traveler and shop in this former home that now includes 36 rooms of merchandise. Menu includes four options, beverage, dessert, a shopping coupon and three chocolate samplings. Guests must pre-order menu when they register. $20/person
Lunch Choices:
- Petite Luncheon (mini sandwich plate and a cup of vegetable soup)
- Spinach Cheddar Quiche with seasonal fresh fruit and a freshly baked muffin
- Cranberry Chicken Salad (roasted chicken, dried cranberries, diced pears, walnuts and choice of blue cheese or cheddar on bed of greens with raspberry vinaigrette dressing) and freshly baked muffin (all gluten free)
- Chicken Salad Croissant with side of the day
Tea at The Little Traveler: Info to come soon
Beer Pairing at Stockholm's Brew Pub: Sample four beers (4 oz. Each) paired with three small food portions at Stockholm’s Brew Pub on State Street in Geneva. $20/person
Charcuterie 101 Workshop: Savor a wine and cheese experience at Chi-Cuterie on Franklin Street in Geneva. You will be welcomed with a glass of wine al fresco on their garden patio nestled between two beautiful historic homes (weather permitting). Experience organic Italian wines paired perfectly with cheese and all the accoutrements during this culinary journey! $50/person
Tour of the Fabyan Villa: Explore the 1907 Frank Lloyd Wright redesigned home of Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan who created an epic garden of Eden along the Fox River and a laboratory that broke codes for WWI. View their collection including a mummy, Japanese artifacts, and Nelle’s newly restored ball gown. $10/person (seasonal)
