I am a self-described history nerd and LOVE to visit places with historical value (or even just a good backstory).
I don’t know if it is due to growing up and living near Philadelphia, or all the trips to Colonial Williamsburg as a child, but show me a place where I can venture back in time, and I am there.
The best part about visiting these historic sites is that the kids REALLY enjoy them as well. On our trip to Rochester, NY, we stopped at the Genesee Country Village & Museum and had an enjoyable experience.
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Genesee Country Village & Museum Location and Admission
Located at 1410 Flint Hill Road in Mumford, New York, Genesee Country Village is approximately 30 minutes from Rochester and about an hour from Buffalo. There is plenty of free parking located next to the entrance of the property. The museum’s hours vary depending on the season. Admission ranges from $10-$18 per person, with children under 3 FREE.
What to Expect at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Genesee Country Village & Museum is New York’s largest living museum. A living museum is a museum that recreates historical settings to replicate past time periods. They bring history to life by imitating the conditions of a historical period. This particular museum acquired numerous homes from throughout New York state to educate visitors about life in the Empire State.
GCV&M is HUGE and you will be doing a lot of walking. Some of the paths are unpaved to emulate the conditions of the time period they represent. Many of the houses are two or more levels, requiring visitors to walk up and down stairs. We spent over 4 hours on the property, and we still didn’t enter all of the buildings. Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes!
The Historic Village Neighborhoods of Genesee Country Village
The historic village is separated into three neighborhoods: The Pioneer Settlement (1780s-1830s), The Antebellum Village (1830s-1860s), and the Turn of the Century (1870s-1920s). Each area is designed to look and feel as it would during those time periods. Click here for a digital map of the museum.
Pioneer Settlement
When you enter the village, head left to being in The Pioneer Settlement. The settlement has buildings built from the 1780s to the 1830s. In this area, kids can go to school in a one-room schoolhouse. They can experience what it was like to do schoolwork using a slate and chalk.
From there, visitors can learn what it was like to live on a farm. Take a turn at grinding corn and then sift the cornmeal to ready it for making bread. After that, head over to the barn to help feed the cows
Other experiences in the settlement include learning how to make beer and watching a live blacksmith work in his shop.
Center Village
As visitors travel through time, they enter the Center Village. This section features homes built from 1830-1870. It feels like a real town due to the inn, general store, and church. Take notice of the sidewalks, something not seen in the Pioneer Settlement.
In addition to exploring the buildings, the kids can pump water for the travelers’ horses in front of the inn. They also can assist the general store clerk in using a scale to determine how much a bag of flour weighs. There are so many interactive things at the museum that keep kids involved and interested.
Gas Light District
The last section is the Gas Light District. This area contains three houses that were built between 1870s-1920s. In this section, the kids can wander through the landscaped gardens.
Climbing to the very top of the Hyde House, a unique octagon-shaped house, was a special surprise. The ornate mirrors and moldings, as well as the decor, will grab your attention. And don’t forget to stop by the outhouse to get a feel of life at the turn of the century.
Food Options at Genesee Country Village
Depending on the day or time of year, there are four places where you can purchase food.
Inside the historic village is the Pavilion Garden Restaurant, located within the Turn of the Century neighborhood. The menu changes depending on the day of the week. Also within the village is the D.B. Munger & Co. Confectionery. Weekend visitors can purchase freshly baked goods at the historic building, including sugar tea cakes and maple cakes.
Outside of the historic village, there are two food options. The Depot Restaurant is the main eatery. It has a limited but varied menu that both children and adults will find appealing. The Freight House Pub is located right next door to The Depot Restaurant. It opened during special events with no set menu.
Our Thoughts on the Genesee Country Village & Museum
Overall, Genesee Country Village & Museum is an excellent place to take kids. The interpreters take their time to engage with children and keep them interested in various activities. We would recommend the museum to anyone, especially if you are vacationing near the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, or Rochester. There is a lot of value for the price of admission. We would visit again!
A Quick Video…
Below is a short video we made about our trip to the museum. The song was written by Mary Van Etten Avery who was a native of Rochester, NY.
Read It Now, Pin It For Later!
