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Rose  Hill Mansion – An Architectural Gem

Rose Hill Mansion in Geneva has 26 rooms and 11,634 square feet of living space. Our guide Bob Saunderson told us this fact as he led us through the 21 rooms open to the public. You could see by the look on his face and the twinkle in his eye that he truly enjoyed sharing this Finger Lake attraction with visitors.

This architectural gem has an excellent view of Seneca Lake and is considered a fine example of Greek revival architecture.

The Rooms

One of my favorite rooms is the Music Room. This lovely room features one of first Grand Pianos made in the US. Built of solid mahogany, it is covered with crotch grain veneer. There’s also an American Empire harp, made by Brown and Buckwell of New York City, and a black marble fireplace mantel. An 18th Century solid bronze chandelier hangs in the center of the room.

The beautiful Music Room at Rose Hill Mansion. Photo: @Brenda Potter Reynolds.

There’s a Formal Parlor that was used for entertaining visitors like President Martin Van Buren. In this room, hand-carved pieces of rosewood furniture by Alexander Roux of New York City are featured, circa 1845. This fireplace mantel is of white marble, and over it hangs a signed painting by 17th century artist Gillis Neyts, dated 1653.

Next we visited the Family Parlor, which is separated from the Formal Parlor with packet doors. A tall clock dating from 1819 stands in the corner, still ticking. It keeps good time, Bob said, and is wound every five days.

The guest room, known as the Parlor Bedroom, displays an Oriental Sewing Box from 1840. On the walls, a wide French border gives the illusion of lower ceilings. A canopy bed shares space with a Chippendale side chair and a tilt-top table that once belonged to the Swan family.

In the Office, painted shades caught my eye. These were typical of the 1800′s, Bob explained. There’s Robert Swan’s desk, a mahogany front-fall design. A portrait of former owner William Kerley Strong hangs over the black fireplace mantel.

The Banquet Room has been called the most impressive room in the house, and I certainly agree. With dimensions of 29 feet, eight inches by 21 feet, four inches, it is also the largest.

An American Sheraton table of mahogany, set for dessert, dominates the room. The wallpaper is of French influence, resembling draped fabric – and it’s beautiful. An impressive mahogany Montgomery sideboard – also beautiful – boasts hidden drawers, intricate carvings, and claw feet. This 1830 piece draws many people from other museums, Bob said.

Our delightful Rose Hill Mansion guide, Bob Saunderson. Photo: ©Brenda Potter Reynolds.

As the tour ended, we lingered outside, enjoying the view. People come from all over the world to see this Finger Lake attraction, Bob told us, from as far away as France, Belgium and Israel. It’s easy to see why the mansion draws so many visitors, and why Bob, who has worked here for eight years, holds Rose Hill in such high esteem.

For more information on Rose Hill Mansion, call the Geneva Historical Society at 315.789.5151 or visit the website.

Note: I am sorry to report that Bob has retired from working at Rose Hill Mansion, but all the guides are friendly and knowledgeable.