Chicago Day Trip - Geneva Lake Museum - Best Historical Experience

Not all history museums are equal. The history museum in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is special. It is a recreation of main street from long ago. Complete with a blacksmith shop and anvils, dress shop, physician's carriage, fire station and much more. The floor has been recreated in brick. The building is in the old Gas and Electric Building and has the historic high ceiling and beautiful wooden beams. The museum centers around the lake and the famous sailboats. The indoor stroll is a great treat during the summer and fall too! The museum resides conveniently next to the shopping district in downtown Lake Geneva and walking distrance away from the gorgeous lakefront.

Pictures don't do this museum justice because the museum recreates the feel of the era with its brick streets and many varied shops. Geneva Lake Museum makes a great day trip for those traveling from Chicago, Milwaukee or even Madison. Downtown Lake Geneva has something to offer everyone.

The Ambiance of the Historic Museum

Besides the fact that museum has a great location and fabulous historic building that has been completely rehabilitated, the museum has character. Stay tune for the photos of the posters at the very end where you can really obtain a true feel of the era of the times. These posters give you an accurate insight into the culture at the time. Ladies and gentlemen, it gives you a better feel for the era especially when you visit in your shorts and one of the items is ladies your skirt must not be higher than 2" above your ankles!

Geneva Lake is best known for its beautiful lake and sailboats. Even today, Gage Marine maintains a boats of every possible size for your pleasure. One of the favorite's is the mail boat - a boat that used to deliver mail throughout the shore of the pristine 5,000 acre lake. During the boat trip (or the ice cream social or the special rental boats), the captain will share with you many stories of the lake.

Geneva Lake's Public and Private Boat Charters

For my wedding, we choose to rent the Lorelei, a 41' cabin cruiser available from Gage Marine. We chose this boat because my husband loves vintage and I love the water.

This beautiful boat was crafted in Holland in 1954. Imagine an intimate cruise for two, a special group outing or my favorite - gather with your friends and time the rental for one of the many fireworks shoes. The interior is crafted of exquisite teakwood decks and mahogany trim that exude elegance. This wooden cruiser with her sleek hull gives you and your guests a comfortable ride with a million day view from every side.

I recommend planning your summer months ahead and booking this boat for your next outing as soon as possible. It is a special treat that will last a lifetime of memories.

As for the meaning of the name Lorelei, I would love to hear from its owners what the real story is. Here is some information that I found out on the Internet:

"According to German legend, there was once a beautiful young maiden, named Lorelei, who threw herself headlong into the river in despair over a faithless lover. Upon her death she was transformed into a siren and could from that time on be heard singing on a rock along the Rhine River, near St. Goar. Her hypnotic music lured sailors to their death. The legend is based on an echoing rock with that name near Sankt Goarshausen, Germany." source: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/lorelei.html

At the turn of the century, medical care was much different from today. We must remember the communications methods were much different. Yet, a medical emergency can be a life or death situation. To help with the communication, the physician's carriage was designated much in the same way we still designate taxi cabs to this very day - by color. The color of the carriage signified that the carriage was owned by a medical physician. This helped people know the location of the closest physician. The colors were green and are shown here. Even today we equate green with health. How very appropriate. This particular carriage is owned by my husband's family. The place for the candle has been updated by me with the battery operated flickering candle.

Children and adults alike love this display - oh, can you even imagine! Today with the advent of tiny palm size smart phones, it seems imaginable. Look at how women would add waves to their hair!

The telephone switchboard is complete with a young woman dressed in antique blouse and full skirt of course!

The black smith shop reminds us of the days before automation and how we handcrafted metal.

These items are essential to understanding who we are - if we don't understand history, we cannot fully appreciate the present and prepare for the future.

The Ceylon Court is a building that was exhibited at the world's fair. It was built by the Ceylon Government and was later moved to a pristine piece of property on Geneva Lake. The architecture is Hindu as were the furnishings.

1893 World's Fair Held in Chicago Illinois

The Ceylon Building was erected by the Ceylon Government for the World's Fair that was in Chicago, Illinois. Later the building was moved to Geneva Lake and bequeathed the name "Ceylon Court".

Connection Across Continents - Across Religions

At the 1893 World's Fair, Swami Vivekananda delivered a speech for the Parliament of World Religions. Vivekananda was born in Bengal, India, lived less than 40 years and yet he had a world wide impact even at a time when travel and communication posed many obstacles. A short excerpt of his 1893 speech is provided below:

"Hinduism cannot live without Buddhism, nor Buddhism without Hinduism. Then realize what the separation has shown to us that the Buddhists cannot stand without the brain and philosophy of the Brahmins, nor the Brahmins without the heart of the Buddhist. This separation between the Buddhists and the Brahmins is the cause of the downfall of India."

Ceylon's Connection to Us Today

Ceylon is now called Sri Lanka, Ceylon was the colonial name. You have seen Ceylon sapphires often in the news. They are the best of the best in the world and yes I am biased. These superb sapphires are a vibrant blue not a dark sapphire blue. The blue in the Ceylon sapphire literally dances with joy. The author's weddings rings (both my husband's and mine) contain cushion cut Ceylon sapphires. The blue is a lighter blue than the "standard" sapphire blue. Princess Diana's wedding ring/engagement ring (now Kate Middleton's) has a Ceylon sapphire for its center stone. Jackie Kennedy was given a Ceylon sapphire cross when the Queen declared Runnymede as United States territory.

History is said to be the world's best instructor. No where is this more true than in beautiful Lake Geneva. Once upon a time, on the waterfront sat a stately building designed by a prominent architect to blend with the natural landscape. This architect's name is Frank Lloyd Wright. He is world famous and best known for his invention of the prairie style architecture which celebrates the prairies that dominate Illinois and Wisconsin. At the Geneva Lake Museum there is a photo of the Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel as it once stood. Sadly, today there is a - you guessed it a high rise building. Yes, the building takes advantage of the views of the lake, yes, the building is great use of space, yes, the building is very high quality and well done for modern architecture and yet the fact remains we have lost an important part of history.

Geneva Lake Museum is more than a museum about history, it is an experience in history. Walk through the brick streets and learn why. The beauty of downtown Lake Geneva is known for its destination throughout the Midwestern United States for shopping. The lake is pristine and well known to boaters and sailors like not to mention wedding planners. The walkway along the lake is offers much more than exercise, it is an experience in a land of mega mansions and million dollar views. Yet, this tiny historical museum has captured an experience that is memorable for the entire family. See it first hand the next time you are seeking a day trip with a friend or family member.