The Geneva Historical Society Tour of Homes

 The William R. Brooks House - House #7
620 Castle Street

William Smith had this large Victorian brick house built for William Brooks, his wife, and his daughter, Anna, in 1888 in order to entice astronomer Brooks to move from Phelps. Brooks used the adjacent observatory also built by Smith to continue his successes as a “a comet finder.”
In 1907, five years before his death in 1912, Smith willed to Hobart College his mansion, the observatory, and this house, with life use to the Brooks. Upon the death of her father in 1921, Anna Brooks purchased the house from the college. She subdivided the house into the four apartments and continued to live there until 1952, a total of 64 years.

The house underwent changes in ownership until 1974, when it was purchased by John (Jack) Mulvey, a local real estate developer long noted for his appreciation and sensitivity for history. Family members and strangers alike applauded his courage as he began major improvements to this historical icon beset by years of negligent hippie parties and tenancy. The house is now listed on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.

The first-floor apartment you are visiting today, the lovely home of Mrs. Sue Dobbin, was originally the home’s front and back parlor, dining room, bath and kitchen. The former dining room is now the bedroom. The fireplace mantel is actually gray slate which was marbleized to look like black marble; this was a common treatment in the 1880’s. Not to be missed: Enjoy the “before” photographs displayed in the kitchen which show the effects of occupancy before Jack began the dramatic restoration.

Dining Room

Living Room