Friday, Jul 4, 2025 at 10:00am
Liberty in Action from Colonists to Citizens
Join Genesee Country Village & Museum’s beloved Independence Day Celebration—where history comes to life and community takes center stage. Enjoy a full day of patriotic fun, immersive experiences, and good old-fashioned revelry. Plus, kids 12 and under get in Free.
Witness a moving Naturalization Ceremony Village Square with ASL interpretation
Help us welcome new American citizens! GCV&M is thrilled to host a naturalization ceremony in conjunction with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services right here on Museum grounds. Individuals from countries all around the world will take their oath and be sworn in as new citizens by United States Judge Honorable Mark W. Pedersen. Join them as they begin their exciting new journey!
Freedom's Foundations
Welcome a slate of powerful, civic-minded partners! Special guest interpreter David Shakes sheds light on unsung Revolutionary Era patriots who inspired later freedom fighters like William Wells Brown and Frederick Douglass. Renowned storyteller and cultural educator Perry Ground explores Haudenosaunee influences on American democracy. Historian Gerry Szymanski offers insight into 19th-century romantic friendship and queerness, revealing often-overlooked dimensions of early American life and identity.
Get ready to vote! The Monroe County Board of Elections demonstrates new voting machines debuting this November. Not registered yet? They can process paperwork for any U.S. citizen on site.
Strike Up the Band!
Enjoy spirited patriotic tunes from Excelsior Bridgade Fife and Drum Corp and the Geneseo Cornet Band, plus a sneak peek of Biscuit Brothers Music’s Erie Canal Bicentennial show premiering this fall at the Rochester Fringe Festival.
Step up to the plate with Sean Piekin, captain of the Victory / Live Oak vintage base ball team, who’ll be on hand to demonstrate historic equipment and invite you to try your hand at this unofficial national pastime.
Top off your Fourth of July with a 19th-century style parade culminating in a stirring reading of the Declaration of Independence by distinguished guest Grant Holcomb. Stick around for the sweet and messy glory of our pie-eating contest!
Rock the Vote #talkback
Community voices shape our story, so tell us what you think! Cast your ballot to name the newest GCV&M turkey, and more. Your participation makes history here!
You can also share your political passion. Join our talkback board near the Tinsmith shop to share which freedom is most important to you – and what other community members think! Every voice counts—whether it’s 1776 or today.
NEW, Limited Time Exhibits
Step into the John L. Wehle Gallery to experience Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a travelling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History highlighting pivotal moments in our nation’s democratic journey.
Then, head to the Nature Center to explore a thought-provoking exhibit developed in partnership with SUNY Geneseo’s Environmental Justice class, examining how land use and development have shaped our region’s legacy of environmental democracy.
Fuel Fun with Flavor
With so much to see and do, you’re bound to work up an appetite. Stop by the Depot Restaurant for grill favorites, easy grab-and-go snacks, and picnic specials. Visit the Freight House Pub for a refreshing selection of local craft beer, hard cider, or wine. Head to Pavilion Garden Restaurant for classic ice cream treats and cool drinks.
At Hosmer’s Inn Tap Room enjoy iced coffee and tea, and hand pies in a historic setting. Don’t miss the D.B. Munger Confectionery, where you’ll find old-fashioned sweets.
Levantine’s Syrian Café & Cuisine will bring their fresh Mediterranean fare. Ragtime Ice Cream Co., operated by two former GCV&M interpreters, brings a nostalgic flair with classically churned vanilla ice cream. 3B’s Beverages will be keeping things cool with their lineup of flavored lemonades and boba teas.
Tickets:
Museum Members: Free
Kids 12 and Under: Free
Adults: $23
Seniors (62+): $20
Students (18): $20
