Genesee Country Village & Museum, in Mumford, has announced plans for four days of festivities (April 5 through 8) leading up to and including the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, when the living history museum is in the path of totality. The largest museum of its kind in New York State, GCV&M will offer a number of once-in-a-century experiences for the total solar eclipse centered around how Americans historically experienced and interpreted eclipses and astronomical happenings. Explore 19th-century citizen science hands-on, attend a magic lantern show, learn about women in the sciences, pose for a souvenir tin-type photo, taste eclipse-themed historical treats from the Confectionery, interact with costumed historical educators, see how farm animals react to totality, and delve into religious fervor of the 19th century. Plus, enjoy eclipse-themed food and drink, shop one-of-a-kind merchandise in the Flint Hill Store, enjoy live music and entertainment, and so much more. GCV&M encourages everyone to think about where they will experience this solar spectacle and consider the museum as a truly unique venue – the next chance to see a total solar eclipse in Rochester will be in 2144.
Genesee Country Village & Museum will offer a number of unique spaces in which to view the total solar eclipse on April 8 – each with a designated wide-open viewing area for totality. Visitors are invited to step outside of the hustle and bustle of cities like Rochester and Buffalo and enjoy a festival-like atmosphere without the crowds or light pollution big cities will see during this weekend of high-traffic tourism. The event guarantees free, non-competitive parking, designated viewing areas with an un-obstructed sightline to totality, fascinating hands-on historical programming in the 19th-century Village, Gallery, and Nature Center, and more. Less than 2,000 individuals (spread out over hundreds of acres) will have the opportunity to attend the Solar Spectacle. All tickets will also include access to programming in the Historic Village, John L. Wehle Gallery, and Nature Center, as well as safe eclipse viewing glasses.
Book a Historic Village Experience
Guests will have the option to choose from renting a historical building in the Village for the day for an affordable bulk rate. Groups can reserve buildings of their choice and secure a private place to relax and celebrate throughout the day – enjoy included food and drink, and stay warm beside a historic hearth. In addition to food and drink and access to programming, Historic Village packages include an eclipse swag bag, and access to an eclipse after-party. To book a historic building, contact eclipse2024@gcv.org.
Book a Hospitality Experience
Hospitality locations including the museum’s historic Carriage Barn, Exhibition Barn, and Meeting Center Lounge. In addition to food, drink, and historical programming, these experiences provide access to amenities and cozy furnishings in convenient locations. Guests who book the Meeting Center Hospitality Experience will also receive an eclipse swag bag and access to an exclusive Eclipse After Party.
Book a Drive-In/Tailgating Experience
The museum offers its Drive-In/Tailgating option, in which visitors can pay per-car to park in the perfect viewing spot that is the wide-open South Field. Drive-in/Tailgating guests are encouraged to bring as many friends and family as they like per-car for a flat rate, will have access to campus-wide programming and restaurant/bar locations, and will receive eclipse viewing glasses.
Three-Day Festival (April 5 to 7)
Visitors to GCV&M April 5 to 7 will find a full weekend of historical happenings leading up to the main event on Monday, April 8. The museum will be open for explorations in the 19th-century Historic Village, magic lantern shows and celestial programming in the John L. Wehle Gallery, hands-on citizen science activities, costumed historical educators sharing how 19th-century Americans experienced and recorded astronomical happenings, and more. Tickets for the festival will become available in the coming months at https://www.gcv.org/events/.
Support for this event is provided by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/ New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
Learn more about the Solar Spectacle at GCV&M and purchase tickets now at https://www.gcv.org/event/2024-total-eclipse-at-gcvm/.
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