Geneva to Waterloo New York Driving Tour

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Belhurst Castle is a historic residence in Geneva, New York that has been operating as a hotel for several decades. The modern addition features a winery, restaurant (there is another restaurant in the house itself), a spa-salon, event space for weddings and other gatherings, and the Vinifera Inn. Belhurst Castle also operates another hotel called White Spings Manor, which is located two miles to the west. The house was built in 1889 by Carrie Young Harron and her husband Louis Dell Collins and is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house also features a solarium, projecting porches, and towers with conical roofs.

2. Nester House (Geneva On the Lake)

Designed by architects Harrie T. Lindeberg and Lewis C. Albro in the Italian Renaissance style, the Nester House is a large mansion situated on the western bank of Seneca Lake. Built in 1911, it is believed that the Villa Lancelloti, which is located in Italy, was the inspiration for Nester House. As information about the house is limited, it is not clear who owned it. Today, the old mansion is now the Geneva On the Lake resort, which opened in 1981. The Nester House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

3. Geneva History Museum

Located inside the c.1829 historic Prouty-Chew House, the Geneva History Museum preserves and promotes the history of Geneva. Operated by the Geneva Historical Society, it features permanent and changing exhibits that explore the city's growth and development from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum also offers a number of educational programs for people of all ages. It also maintains a collection of historical objects including clothing, letters, photos, and paintings. The oldest items date to the 1700s. There is also an archive, which contains books, diaries, letters, and other two-dimensional paper materials. The Society acquired the house in 1960.

4. Geneva Armory

The Geneva Armory is home to A Troop 2 Squadron of the 101st Cavalry of the Army National Guard. The historic building was first built in 1892 and expanded in size in 1906, giving it its current castle-like appearance with two towers, the taller one of which is 4.5 stories high. The armory is significant for its Late Victorian and castle architecture and for the military presence it provided to the city and region. For these reasons, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

5. Smith Opera House

Declared an "architectural gem" by the New York Times and the Smithsonian Institution, the Smith Opera House is one of the country's oldest operating performing arts centers. Designed in the Romanesque style, it was built in 1894 by businessman and philanthropist William Smith, who wanted to provide a place where residents of Geneva could enjoy entertainment and culture. During its early years, vaudeville acts performed here. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Opera House remains an integral part of the community.

6. Rose Hill Mansion

A National Historic Landmark, Rose Hill Mansion is a large residence situated on the eastern side of Seneca Lake. Constructed by wealthy New Yor City businessman William K. Strong in 1839, it is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country. Along with the other large mansions in Geneva, Rose Hill Mansion reflects the wealth of the area generated as a result of the Erie Canal (built between 1821-1825), which stretched east to west from the Hudson River just north of Albany to Buffalo. Three main branches extended from the canal, including one (the Cayuga and Seneca Canal), that reached Seneca Lake. Today, Rose Hill Mansion is operated as a museum by the Geneva Historical Society. The home features period furniture, household items, and numerous paintings on display. Visitors will also learn about how owner Robert Swan pioneered farming techniques to increase agricultural output. Rose Hill is also notable for its large number of slaves, who comprised one of the largest concentrations of slaves in the state.

7. Johnston House and Drain Tile Museum

This historic home was built in 1822 by Scottish-native John Johnston, who operated a farm here. The farm became famous in the 1800s for being very productive thanks to Johnston's use of drain tiles. The first American to use them, his success earned him the nickname the "Father of Tile Drainage in America." The house features six rooms, three of which contain period furniture and other items on display (some of these belonged to the Johnstons). The other three rooms feature exhibits on agriculture, technology and innovation, and immigration—all of which relate to the Johnston family. Also in the house is the Mike Weaver Drain Tile Museum, which features a collection of drain tiles on display. Mike Weaver grew up in Hammondsport, which is located at the south end of Keuka Lake, and worked as a drainage, irrigation, and dam building consultant. He began collecting drain tiles in 1950 and continued for over 40 years. He donated the majority of the collection, along with various documents, to the Geneva Historical Society in 1993.

8. American Civil War Memorial

The American Civil War Memorial in Waterloo honors area residents who served the Union during the war. The monument was designed by Pietro del Fabro from Princeton Junction New Jersey. The monument consists of small memorials to each local soldier who died in the conflict. and can be found along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal.

9. Waterloo Library & Historical Society

The historic Waterloo Library was built in 1883 in the Queen Anne style. Founded in 1875, it is one of the oldest libraries continuously operating in the state. It features a 140-seat venue called Fatzinger Hall that hosts lectures, musical and theatrical performances, readings, and other events. A modern addition, Terwilliger Museum, was built in 1960 and features exhibits about Waterloo's history. Numerous items and artifacts are on display including vehicles, Native American artifacts, maps, photographs, currency, antique guns, and dolls. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.

Geneva to Waterloo New York Driving Tour

Created by Clio Admin on December 27th 2018, 12:47:40 pm.

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This driving tour begins at Belhurst Castle just south of Geneva and includes several landmarks in that community including the Geneva Armory, Smith Opera House, and the Geneva History Museum. The tour curves around Seneca Lake with additional stops at Rose Hill Mansion and the Johnston House which includes exhibits relate to technology and innovation in 19th-century agriculture. The tour continues east with a stop at a farmhouse that was central to the early history of the LDS church before concluding with a Civil War memorial and the historic home of the Waterloo Historical Society. Be sure to continue on to historic Seneca Falls where visitors can tour sites related to the history of women's rights.

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Geneva to Waterloo New York Driving Tour

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