Upcoming Geneva History Museum Exhibit Features Century-Old Shop

GENEVA, IL — A century-old Geneva gift shop will be the focus of an upcoming Geneva History Museum exhibit. Starting Feb. 5, visitors will get to experience the 36-room store's history in person.

Just like the history of The Little Traveler, which has lived at 404 S. Third St. since 1992, the exhibit's run will be a lengthy one. Museum-goers will have until Dec. 23 to view the "100 Years of The Little Traveler" exhibit.

A landmark of Geneva, the shop was started by Kate Howard Raftery, who moved to Geneva in 1915. The shop's home — a white Victorian house — was the first residence-turned-business on Third Street, according to a news release, which also said the business put Geneva "on the map as a high fashion, antique mecca and artsy town."

Raftery started the shop at age 52 with no previous business experience. According to the shop's history, she had connections to counts and ambassadors around the world who would send her rare luxuries and antiques — Imperial Tribute silks, fur robes and jade ornaments, to name a few — that she would display and sell on a grand piano in the living room where afternoon tea was hosted.

As people traveled to Geneva back in the day, Raftery would continue to host her guests, serving them tea and lunch, while drivers got a simpler fare in the courtyard. Now, visitors can experience similar dining at the shop's Atrium Cafe.

At the museum, Raftery and her shop's rich history will be displayed, and visitors will be able to view her going-away wedding coat, hand-painted dressing room doors and puppets used to entertain kids.

Admission at the museum is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Geneva History Museum, at 113 S. Third St., is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The museum is closed in January for exhibit installation.