Back to NY - Rochester and Genesee Country Village and Museum

August 14-18, 2018

Next Stop Rochester, NY

We pull into our home away from home spot at my friend Laura's

 

Can't complain about the view or the neighbors

Another trip to the farm to drop off some garbage and visit with the gang

Laura's daughter Elizabeth loves the goats.  She is an animal Ambassador at Stoke Farms introducing the animals to the public,

While here we go and visit Genesee Country Village Museum.

It is the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State – and the third-largest in the United States.  There are 68 historic buildings  and a couple of museums. 

It was developed by John Wehle in 1966.  The museum was to be a village of selected examples of 19th-century Genesee Country architecture.  During the 1st ten years some 3 dozen bldgs in the style and type found in rural communities in Western NY were acquired and placed in the layout of an early Genesee Country hamlet.

There are costumed interpreters throughout the buildings depicting life back then.

There is a Pioneer Settlement - 1790-1820

The Center Village 1830 - 1860

George Eastman's boyhood home

 

 

and a Gas Light District - 1860 - 1900

 

The Hyde House circa 1870

The Hamilton House - 1870

The alcove with statue at the turn of the stairs was for making room to bring furniture upstairs around the turn.

The John L. Wehle Gallery had a dog exhibit - working like a dog.  His Brother Robert has a State Park named after him and bred and raised champion pointers known as Elhew Pointers (Wehle backwards)

There was also an exhibit on fashions of the 1840's made popular by Queen Victoria

This Park Drag from James Cunningham and Sons in Rochester, NY was  a luxurious vehicle recalling the design of old stagecoaches.  They were popular among wealthy Sportsmen in the 1870s pulled by a team of 4 horses.  The were popular in parks like Central Park in NYC and Highland Park in Rochester, NY.  They started at around $2,500.  The average skilled craftsman earned around $450 a year.   Experienced draftsmen at the James Cunningham Company made $1,200 a year.

A very interesting place to see if you are in the area - plan for most of the day.  We were cut short by rain.  They also have turn of the century baseball games during the Summer.