The Museum of Geneva History
 

   Unfortunately, the AC in the Museum of Geneva History is broken and we are getting a new one. The Museum, therefore will not be open on the 2nd Sunday of August, August 13th. It is 90 degrees in there. Sorry if you had plans to come. It should be fixed by Aug. 27, so plesae come then.                                                                                                                     

                                   

The Museum of Geneva History was dedicated in 1965 by the Geneva Historical Society after receiving land donated by Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Kilbee and taking out a small loan for the construction.  The Society needed a place to house the many  artifacts that they had been collecting from settler families of the Geneva area since the Society was formed in 1952.   The Museum contains two large rooms divided into interest areas.  There is a kitchen, bedroom, mercantile, pioneer crafts area, and hundreds of interesting items from Geneva, ranging from prehistoric mound findings to musical instruments and Geneva citizen's military uniforms.  

Virtually all of the items in the museum were donated or loaned by past residents of the area and demonstrate early life in the Village of Geneva.  There are also turpentine and orange grove tools; a cattle ranching display; a square grand piano; a Magic Lantern (preceded the slide projector); items from the early Russian, French, and English settlers; and prehistoric and Native American artifacts found in Geneva mounds/middens.  Come see a very fun and interesting museum that is "much larger than it looks".  On loan at the present is a beautiful 1910 violano - a player-piano, player-violin.  Admission free, but donations appreciated. 

The newest collection is of the Fort Lane findings to prove that Fort Lane (2nd Seminole War) was where Fort Lane Park is now located.  The Park is owned and operated by the Geneva Historical Society.  See the many buttons from the 1830s, anchor from a Mackinac boat of 1837, and a bayonet with scabbard from the time period.  Also a ring was found but it has yet to be certified.  

The Museum was dedicated in 1966, with Leo Rehbinder, son of an early Russian immigrant family, cutting the ribbon.  Judge Don Cheney of Orlando, a noted historian, preservationist, and head of the Orange County Historical Commission was the speaker.   Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Kilbee, donors of the land, also took part in the ceremony.  In 1977 a second larger room was added, completing the Museum.   Come visit!

The Museum also has the Village Store with Geneva history books, T-shirts, caps, prints, old-fashioned wooden toys, etc.  

 

Photos of 1950s, 60s, 70s Acoustic Style Show from Museum Collection -  2014

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