Open House by Chuck D'imperio

Author:Chuck D'imperio
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780815654872
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 2019-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

The Wadsworth family were the founders of Geneseo, New York. In a downtown park sits this replica of the founders’ original cabin they built in the wilderness.

Author’s Notes

When taking a tour of the Wadsworth Homestead, there is no doubt that you will be thinking, “What a lovely museum.” Except this is not a museum, this is a home, and has been for the same family for over two centuries. The hundreds of items you see as you walk through each room are not items donated by history-minded patrons. These are Wadsworth belongings, seemingly left where they were as one generation slipped on to the next. There are walls lined with family chinaware, children’s toys, military weapons used by the family’s men in war, hundreds of books (the oldest being a 1634 tome titled “How to be a Justice for the King”), silver candlesticks, embroidered pillows, and hundreds of other items.

On a table in a corner is a letter from 1909. The letter is a personal invitation asking Austin Wadsworth to “stay overnight at the White House during his next visit to Washington, DC.” It is signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. On another table is a 200-year-old Seneca war club that played a significant part in the first generation’s safety at the homestead. On a shelf is a brass button from the prestigious Genesee Valley Hunt Club. This club was well known for its elaborate fox hunts, of which several generations of Wadsworths were key participants. A similar button was taken to the moon and back by astronaut Pete Conrad, who belonged to the club. Lining the walls are a dozen dramatic, snarling stuffed fox heads glaring down on visitors as prize reminders from these heralded social hunts.

In the entranceway is an epic hat rack, made from Adirondack elk horns. On each horn hangs a hat from a Wadsworth family member, including stylish fedoras, women’s hats, and even an Army helmet. History lived in this house and history visited this house. In fact, both Roosevelts, Theodore and Franklin, were overnight guests here.

To complete your visit here, a quick side trip to the downtown village park is a must. There you will see a replica of James and William’s first log cabin from 1790.

Visit

Wadsworth Homestead

4 South Street

Geneseo, NY 14454

Landmark: Just outside the walls of the Wadsworth Homestead, two blocks down Main Street, is the village’s beloved mascot, “Emmeline.” Situated on a pole coming up from a round fountain in the middle of the street is a statue of a bear holding on to a lamppost, that has brought smiles to visitors ever since it was erected in 1888. It is named Emmeline to honor its benefactor, Mrs. Emmeline Austin Wadsworth.

585-764-9005

Website: http://www.wadsworthhomestead.com

For Further Reference: Cook, William and Daniel Schultz. Around Geneseo. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2004.

While Here: The National Warplane Museum is located at the Geneseo Airport. Austin Wadsworth was an early organizer and president of the museum.

Tours:

Tuesday: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.

Thursday: 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Call in advance to arrange for other tour times.

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