The Music Room, elegantly outfitted with Empire style furnishings, features one of first Grand Pianos made in the US. Built of solid mahogany, it is covered with crotch grain veneer. An American Empire harp, made by Brown and Buckwell of New York City, fronts a black marble fireplace mantel. An 18th Century solid bronze chandelier hangs in the center of the room.

The Formal Parlor was used for entertaining. One of the visitors entertained there was President Martin Van Buren.

Here, 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 noted, 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 William Kerley Strong hangs over the black fireplace mantel.

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

An American Sheraton table of mahogany dominates the room, set for dessert. The wallpaper is of French influence, resembling draped fabric. An impressive Montgomery sideboard, made of mahogany, boast hidden drawers, intricate carvings, and claw feet. This 1830 piece draws many people from other museums.

As the tour ended, we lingered outside, enjoying the view. People come from all over the world to see the mansion, 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.

"Rose Hill Mansion is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival
Architecture in the country," said Anne Dealy, Director of Education and Public Information for the Geneva Historical Society.

"The house fits its site overlooking Seneca Lake perfectly, sitting atop the hill like a Greek temple. It embodies the power of the banker who built it and the influence of later owner Robert Swan, a scientific farmer and businessman who combined tradition and innovation to create a model farm on the site."
"In many ways, it is emblematic of the combination of tradition and innovation which built this part of the state."

See Part 1.




If You Decide to Visit

Rose Hill Mansion is located on Route 96A in Geneva, NY. For further information, contact the Geneva Historical Society at 315.789.5151 or visit their website at Geneva Historical Society.