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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingVisit the largest living history museum in New York — 19th-century village with costumed interpreters, daily demonstrations, and beautiful gardens.
Explore the Genesee Country Village and Museum, located in Mumford, near Rochester, NY. This living history museum showcases an authentic 19th-century country village with restored historic buildings and costumed interpreters. Throughout the day, visitors can watch trade, craft, cooking, and agricultural demonstrations, making the era come to life.
The museum also features the John L. Wehle Gallery and a nature center, enhancing your visit with art and environmental engagement. Take your time to stroll through the charming gardens and enjoy the aromas of freshly baked 19th-century foods throughout your stay.
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Having visited at least 25 times since it opened in the 1970s, I find it continually improving, especially with Becky Wehle at the helm, who upholds her grandfather Jack Wehle’s vision. On this trip, we listened to Becky share future plans, encouraging feedback from members. We explored the Jack Wehle gallery, which featured 19th-century fashion exhibits. The staff member there was quite helpful in pointing us to highlights, including a stagecoach from Rochester. We also took an outer loop past the Shaker house and gardens before checking out the Village houses. A special thanks to Terry in the Hosmer Tavern for the delightful chocolate puffs and warm welcome. I noted that they are installing ramps for easier access to the 19th-century homes. Lastly, having attended various antique preview galas, I must mention that the catering has significantly improved under Becky’s leadership. It’s truly a privilege to visit this amazing place and escape the challenges of modern life for a while.
This was an excellent day out. The site is thoughtfully arranged with a diverse array of buildings from the 1800s and later. The guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, expertly answering all our questions despite the heat. As a British family, it was particularly meaningful for us to discover how recently Europeans settled the area and to appreciate their resilience. I was truly inspired by the experience and would return if I could. We’ve also been to Heritage Park in Calgary, which we enjoyed, but Genessee had an advantage with its lack of crowds during our visit. My favorite was the General Store, where a lovely lady enthusiastically shared its history. We really felt we had a genuine encounter with American history, and it was the highlight of the trip for my 16-year-old.
Having visited the Genesee Country Village and Museum several times before, we were eager to return after about twelve years. However, our experience was disappointing. Many shops, including the beloved General Store, were closed, and the staff in those open seemed disinterested. The Blacksmith Shop, usually a highlight, had turned into a $3.00 charge for making a cheap tin ornament. We did get to see the Octagon House, which we love, but after a forty-minute journey, we spent less than 75 minutes there. We arrived with high hopes but left feeling it was a letdown.
The cooper I met was fascinating, taking the time to explain how he crafted the butter churn and buckets. We loved watching the oxen come up to plow the field. Overall, it was a highly educational experience.
The parade and the ceremony for new American citizens from 28 countries were standout moments of an authentic 4th of July celebration, which included a picnic.
My visit to Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY was fantastic. Despite the rainy start at 10am, the low crowd allowed us to explore the village with curiosity on a self-guided tour. The staff, dressed in historical attire, offered insightful information about the homes and the people from that era. By lunchtime, the sun came out, and we enjoyed a meal of hot dogs and hamburgers with iced tea at the Depot Restaurant. We spent about three hours walking the grounds, watching a sheep shearing, touring various houses, and even indulging in a rosewater cookie. I would definitely return and recommend it to friends and family as a must-see spot off Interstate 90. Just a heads up: the paths are gravel, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and be ready for about three miles of walking at your own pace, as there aren't many benches to rest on. There are plenty of bathrooms and an air-conditioned gift shop available. Don’t forget to bring a hat for sunny days, bug spray for comfort, and an umbrella for overcast weather.
I brought three kids aged 11 and 13, and at 61 years old, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the children enjoyed the experience. The costumed villagers provided a wealth of information and were ready to answer any questions. The kids eagerly darted from one house to another, excited to discover what each location offered. It was a fantastic day and certainly justified the 2-hour travel time. We spent four hours there, but there was enough to see that we could have easily returned for another day to soak up more information we missed.
This place is a real gem, conveniently located not far from Buffalo and even closer to Rochester. I had no idea how large the "village" was, and I only managed to see half of it. I'll definitely return! If you're a history enthusiast, you can't miss this site. For instance, one of the homes belonged to George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak, during his childhood. The staff are friendly and provide fascinating insights. At just $18 per person ($16 for AAA members!), the admission grants access to an impressive array of buildings that are all native to New York. This location is vast! I had such a fantastic time and only regret not arriving earlier to fully explore the entire "village." I highly recommend it!
My wife and I dedicated the majority of our Sunday to exploring this location and had a wonderful time. We were there from around 10:30 am until it closed at 4 pm. Out of the 49 restored or relocated structures, we saw almost all, except for about 6-7 that were closed. Several buildings had guides dressed in period costume who shared fascinating insights about the property or activities related to it. Everyone we encountered was friendly and offered engaging information or demonstrations, including blacksmithing, tinsmithing, weaving, farm animals, and apple cider production. We also attended a detailed presentation on the Genesee Valley canal, which is now a greenway, presented by Janice-Mary, who also served as the docent in the Hamilton house (#47). She did an excellent job in both roles.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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