The history and future of Parrott Hall, one of Geneva’s architectural landmarks, will be the focus of a free public program on January 4, 2025. The event, titled “The History of Parrott Hall,” will be held at 2 p.m. at the Geneva History Museum, located at 543 S. Main Street. The program is sponsored by the Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes and will take place in the museum’s newly renovated Hucker Gallery.
Bruce Reisch, Chair of the Friends of Parrott Hall and a Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, will lead the presentation. Reisch, who specialized in grapevine genetics from 1980 to 2023, has been instrumental in preservation efforts for Parrott Hall. His talk will explore the building’s storied past and the ongoing efforts to restore and re-purpose the historic structure.
Parrott Hall, situated at 645 W. North Street on the campus of Cornell AgriTech, holds the distinction of being Geneva’s first property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Reisch and the Friends of Parrott Hall, formed in 2017, have collaborated with local and state preservation groups to secure over $1.2 million in funding. These funds have supported critical repairs, including roof restoration, structural support replacements, and refurbishment of the building’s ornate veranda.
In addition to highlighting these accomplishments, Reisch will share the vision for Parrott Hall’s future: a proposed restaurant and education center designed to bridge Cornell’s innovations in food and beverage sciences with public engagement.
The preservation of Parrott Hall has been a joint effort involving the City of Geneva, the Landmark Society of Western New York, the Preservation League of New York State, and Historic Geneva. The January 4 program offers the community an opportunity to learn more about these efforts and the potential transformation of this historic site.
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