The museum is very large. There are 68 restored homes from the 19th century. In more than half of the homes they are being used as if families lived in them today. Fires are burning, cheese is being made, cows fed and butter churned. All the homes allow you to view the first floor, some allow you to go upstairs as well. The historians that greet you are dressed in appropriate attire and can give you a walk through of what life was truly like then. Check out their website through the year for the many many events that they plan. A Civil War reenactment, a 19th-century base ball game, Farmers market, Quilt shows, and tons of other events changing weekly at: http://gcv.org.

If you are in the Rochester area, this really is a unique experience. The grounds are landscaped beautifully. The food vendors are adequate, but not great. I'd suggest packing a picnic, and eating on the green. Kids can run and run and run and play and not get in trouble there. The sporting art museum is really worth the price of admission alone. It is one of the largest collections of sporting art in the country. On Sundays in the center of the village they have 19th century games for kids and kids at heart. The village is open from Mother's Day to a few weeks before Halloween. They have special events all year round at the Art Museum inside the village, and open some houses for Christmas festivities.

Buildings were moved to the village from various towns in the region; some came on flatbed trucks, others in pieces to be reconstructed on the site. Of special note is the Livinston-Backus House, which was taken down in 2,000 pieces from downtown Rochester, placed in storage, and later rebuilt at GVC. All buildings are furnished and decorated according to the era and class of the occupants. Interpreters are in about half the structures to explain life in the 1800s. Learning the history of the region, the significance of the Erie Canal and seeing the various lifestyles of the times was most interesting. In addition to homes, there are churches, shops, schools, farm buildings, and animals. Several gardens beautify the village as well as the gazebo in Great Meadow.

John L. Wehle founded the village, which is supported by private donations and benefactors. An art gallery on site bears his name. When we visited, 19th-century quilts were on display along with sporting and wildlife art.

You can see many craftsmen at work: the potter, tinsmith, blacksmith, and printer, to name a few. The Silver Base Ball Park hosts games on weekends. There is also a nature center with hiking trails. A trolley brings visitors around the village and back to the entrance for those who prefer riding to walking.

There is a snack bar, sit-down restaurant, and picnic areas, plus two gift shops. This gem south of Rochester has something for everyone, and you can easily spend 5 hours there. During May and June, about 1,400 school children visit each day. It's a great place to gain hands-on knowledge of life in the 18th century in upstate New York.