Rose Hill Mansion
3373 NY-96A, Geneva, New York
Completed in 1839 for Brigadier-General William Kerley Strong (1805-1867) and his first wife Sarah Ann Eliza Van Gieson (1810-1843). Rose Hill stands on a farm of 344 acres overlooking Lake Seneca. It is named for the original owner of the land, Robert Selden Rose (1774-1835), who purchased 900 acres in 1803 and whose house still stands as the visitor’s center today. Today it is run as a house museum and events venue.
Strong’s 12,000 square foot house with two wings, ionic columns and a cupola is considered to be one of the finest examples of Greek-Revival architecture in the United States.
In 1848, Rose Hill was purchased by Benjamin Swan a wealthy merchant and landowner from New York City. Two years later, he gifted the property (then valued at $40,000) to his son, Robert J. Swan (1826-1890), on the occasion of Robert’s marriage to Margaret A. Johnston (1827-1889).
In 1848, Rose Hill was purchased by Benjamin Swan a wealthy merchant and landowner from New York City. Two years later, he gifted the property (then valued at $40,000) to his son, Robert J. Swan (1826-1890), on the occasion of Robert’s marriage to Margaret A. Johnston (1827-1889).
In 1965, Robert Swan’s grandson, Waldo Hutchins Jr. (1896-1989), purchased Rose Hill and gave it to the Geneva Historical Society. He paid for the reconstruction of the house, donated many of the furnishings seen today and established an endowment fund for it’s future preservation. The house and grounds are open seasonally for guided tours.
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Contributed by Mark Meredith on 26/11/2018 and last updated on 26/11/2018.
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