The summer season is in full swing at Genesee Country Village & Museum, and the month of August offers a full lineup of programs and events, concerts on the Great Meadow, special discounts for families, and more. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and presents daily programming in the Historic Village, opportunities to interact with costumed historic interpreters and see 19th-century trades in action, meet farm animals, enjoy lunch or a craft beer in the Depot Restaurant and Freight House Pub, shop in the Flint Hill Store, and so much more.
Experience the transformation of the Historic Village as GCV&M brings to life three beloved works of fiction during A Novel Weekend on August 7 and 8. Visitors during this literary-themed weekend can participate in dancing lessons, themed crafts, a costume contest, hands-on activities, spelling bee competition, book readings, a book sale, and more. Explore the Pioneer Settlement where Diary of an Early American Boy by Eric Sloane will play out, from nail-making in the Blacksmith’s Shop to creating a tin ornament in the Tin Shop, hands-on building block activities, and more. Peruse the Center Village to experience programming related to Jane Austen’s Emma – regency-style dance lessons, themed garden tours, a live dressing, and special treats in the historic Confectionery. Visit the Gaslight District to experience Larissa Theule’s Born to Ride: A Story about Bicycle Face – complete with programming related to the wearing of bloomers, women’s suffrage, and a cockade craft.
Thursdays in August are Kids Free Days at the museum. On August 5, 12, 19, and 26, all kids 12 and under will receive free general admission. Families will find a wide array of activities in the Historic Village for kids to enjoy, including visits with animals on the farm, demonstrations by costumed interpreters, and historic games on the Village Square. Explore current exhibitions in The John L. Wehle Gallery, wander the Nature Center trails, and enjoy lunch in the Depot Restaurant. On the way out, visit the Flint Hill Store to shop for traditional gifts, historic toys, fudge and goodies, and hand-crafted items made on-site in the Historic Village. Kids Free Days in August are sponsored by ESL Charitable Foundation.
GCV&M’s Summer Sunset Series continues on Friday, August 13, with The GateSwingers, and Friday, August 27, with The Pearlz Band. Visitors will enjoy live music from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This series presents a rare opportunity to enjoy the museum grounds after-hours and watch as the sun sets over Flint Hill. The Freight House Pub and deck will be open for drinks and the Depot Restaurant will be open for dinner, snacks, and ice cream.
Outdoor and deck seating will be available, or bring a chair or blanket and relax on the Great Meadow. The museum closes at 9 p.m. during the Summer Sunset Series, and the Historic Village will be closed to visitors during these events.
The museum will dig into the country’s musical roots during Fiddlers’ Fair & Making Music Weekend on August 21 and 22. Visitors will enjoy an extraordinary musical experience that brings together musicians on multiple stages for a weekend of non-stop entertainment. Settle in to hear the variety of performers, enjoy food and drinks, wander the Historic Village, and spend the day immersed in live musical performances. Fiddlers’ Fair & Making Music Weekend is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
More information about each of these upcoming events and tickets can be found at www.gcv.org/events. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.gcv.org or call 538-6822 for details.
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