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Learn about your Community!

"What Was It Like? . . . Swedish Immigration"
Participants will listen to the true story of three children ages 13, 9 and 6 who journey from Sweden to Geneva in 1903 by themselves, and then they will try their hand at work done by a Swedish Immigrant girl who came to Geneva in 1899.

"What Was It Like? . . . Farming in 1900"
One hundred years ago farming was the way of life for many Geneva residents. Students will step back in time and experience life as a farmer by shelling corn, making butter, as well as taking a “virtual tour” of Geneva in 1900.

"What Was It Like? . . . Making Maps"
Over time, changes alter the character of a neighborhood and town, including how they look on a map. Students will explore Geneva’s past by looking at maps and hearing stories about neighborhoods from long time residents. Based on these discussions, students will draw a map of their neighborhood today.

" What Was It Like? . . . Breaking Secret Codes"
During this program, children will explore stories about code breaking connected to Geneva! The program will start by sharing some true accounts of code breaking that took place at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva. Participants will discover why the government sent soldiers to Geneva to learn how to break codes. Then, using a book published by Riverbank for children, everyone will learn how to read secret messages. The program will end by learning how to write a message in code and taking a group photograph in code.

"What Was It Like? . . . Hiking Through Your Hometown"
On this walking tour participants will discover little known information about people and places in Geneva. Highlights include seeing how city hall served as the home to numerous high school plays and graduation, learning about a sheriff who caught horse thieves and counterfeiters, hearing about how things have changed at the Geneva Public Library, and walking by two building that served as Geneva’s hospitals. Participants also will be shown clues to help them learn the stories an old building can tell just by taking a closer look. This program can also be presented as a slide show.

To schedule a program:
General Information:
Time - Programs last 45 minutes to 1 hour, walking tours generally take 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Place - Programs can take place at the GHC or offsite. Walking tours start place will be announced at sign up.

Cost - Geneva schools -
.........................Outreach - $2.00 per participant
.........................Fieldtrips - $3.00 per participant.

............Scouts -
,....................... $3.00 - resident
.........................$4.00 - non-resident

Scheduling - Two weeks notice is recommended
Contact - (630) 232 4951

Requirements - 1. Minimum 10 participants, maximum 25 per group.
>>>>>>>>>> ....2. One adult per 10 children

Boy Scouts

“Hike Through Your Hometown”
Tour Description:
On this walking tour participants will discover little known information about people and places in Geneva. Highlights include seeing how city hall served as the home to numerous high school plays and graduation, learning about a sheriff who caught horse thieves and counterfeiters, hearing about how things have changed at the Geneva Public Library, and walking by two building that served as Geneva’s hospitals. Participants also will be shown clues to help them learn the stories an old building can tell just by taking a closer look. This program can also be presented as a slide show.

“Secret Codes”
Tour Description:
During this program, children will explore stories about code breaking connected to Geneva! The program will start by sharing some true accounts of code breaking that took place at Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva. Participants will discover why the government sent soldiers to Geneva to learn how to break codes. Then, using a book published by Riverbank for children, everyone will learn how to read secret messages. The program will end by learning how to write a message in code and taking a group photograph in code.

Scouting Activities for Girls

“Listening to the Past”
Tour Description:
The group will meet Charity Herrington, the mother of Geneva’s founding family, experience the “close quarters” the eight Herrington children endured in their covered wagon while traveling west, suggest what the Herringtons should bring on their journey, and discover what Geneva looked like when the first settlers arrived.

Families and Children

"Kids' Day Off Series (grades 2 and up)
Scheduled on days that school children have off from school, this popular series offers a variety of local history topics including the "What Was It Like...?" series and others. Click on Calendar of Upcoming Events to see when the next one is scheduled.

Summertime Passport to Adventure
Kids and parents visit local museums, have their "passports" stamped and may qualify for prizes and parties. Contact your local museum or library. (May through August)

Annual Holiday Creche Exhibit
Late in November every year the tradition continues. Kate Raftry's Neapolitan Creche and French Provencial corner bed are exhibited for the holiday season just as they were at the Little Traveler starting in the 1930's.

Guided Tours for Families
Family coming in for a visit? Why not take them to the History Center? Tours for groups of ten or more have special rates and can be guided by experienced, trained docents. Call the History
Center for details.

Adult Programs (click on calendar of upcoming events for dates and times)

Heritage Roundtables
These "roundtable style" discussions of pre-set local history topics, offered periodically throughout the year, have been humorous, sad, poignent but always fascinating

.
Brown Bag Lunches
Bring your lunch and listen to local history. We will supply the drinks and cookies. You may want to get there a little early since these programs are very well attended.

Guided Group Tours
Guided tours by trained experienced docents are offered at reduced rates for groups of ten or more. Call the History Center for details.

Lecture Series
Offered periodically in the spring and fall a wide range of Geneva topics are addressed by staff, volunteer researchers, guests scholars. The lecture series is our most well attended and longest running program.