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Historic Village
The Largest Living History Museum in New York State

A working 19th-century village

The third largest living history museum in the country!

Explore our 68 historical buildings moved to our grounds from around the Genesee Valley and Greater Rochester area! Each presents a different story pertaining to life in the 19th-century. As you stroll the village, notice that you progress through three time periods… with lifestyles, technology, and architecture growing more changing as time moves forward.

Engage with our costumed historical educators who keep the hearth fires burning, the heirloom gardens flourishing, and the livestock tended. Watch live demonstrations at the pottery, cooper shop, tinsmith, and blacksmith. Smell the aroma of fresh-baked hand pies and bread, step inside a historic tavern, feel the warmth of a hearth fire, and so much more. See, smell, touch, taste, and try as you make your way around our 19th-century village.

1790 - 1820

Early Settlement

From 1790 to 1820, at least 800,000 people moved into or through upstate and Western New York. Many settled in the fertile Genesee Valley.

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1830-1870

Center Village

Rather than the scattered, self-sustaining small farms of the pioneer period, by 1830 the Genesee Valley was comprised of homes that were gathered around a proper town center.

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1860-1900

Gas Light District

The Civil War accelerated change, bringing in more mechanization on the farm and additional industries in the cities and towns.

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Featured Events

Make a gift

As we approach the end of the year, please consider making a gift that supports all we do here at Genesee Country Village & Museum. We couldn’t do it without you – thank you!