Rochester Public Library

Rundel Memorial Building

115 South Avenue

Rochester, NY 14604, United States

585-428-8370

lochist@libraryweb.org

The Local History & Genealogy Division of the Rochester Public Library holds more than 500 cubic feet of personal papers, records, and manuscripts related to the history of Rochester, Monroe County, and the Genesee Valley region of New York State. These important primary sources are invaluable to the preservation of the region's collective memory and provide first-hand glimpses into the lives of local luminaries and average citizens alike. Collection areas include the beginning and growth of public-supported educational media in Rochester; social reform in Rochester and Monroe County; and Rochester businesses, clubs, and organizations. Comprised of paper-based documents, glass plate negatives, lantern slides, and original artwork, highlights of these collections include a 1792 deed signed by Ebenezer “Indian” Allen; unpublished histories and biographies; and personal papers of Susan B. Anthony, former Rochester mayor Hiram Edgerton, and Nathaniel Rochester and the Rochester family, among many others.Rundel Memorial Building

Collection Sampling

Dr. Anthony C. Scinta scrapbook collection

Two scrapbooks containing clippings photographs concerning the political career of Dr. Anthony C. Scinta, a member of Rochester City Council starting in 1933. Dr. Scinta, a noted local medical professional, was a reform-oriented Democrat who emphasized the need to reform City government. He was especially interested in the reform of the City's welfare practices.

Collection ID: 2017.005

Pearl Harbor Memories Collection, 1991

Democrat & Chronicle readers' memories of where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Collection ID: 2014.040

Weider and Shone family papers, Inclusive dates 1890-1912

This collection includes a series of papers documenting the average consumer goods that would often be purchased by a middle class family during the early 1900's.

Collection ID: 2018.013

American Association of University Women, Rochester Branch, Publicity Scrapbooks, 1930-1936

Five scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and ephemera related to publicity for the Rochester Branch of the American Association of University Women and its projects. The scrapbooks date between 1930 and 1936,

Collection ID: 2020.027

Kimball Tobacco Company Collection, 1880-1885

This collection consists of ephemera from W. S. Kimball & Company,a major Rochester, New York tobacco products manufacturer. The company is possibly best remembered for its once-landmark factory, the smokestack of which was capped with the statue of Mercury now atop the Aqueduct Building. The items in this collection were recovered from a time capsule in the cornerstone of the building at the time of its demolition in 1951. Materials in the collection include advertising pieces, packaging, box labels, price cards, and newspapers, dating between 1878 and 1885.

Collection ID: 2014.028

Harold S. Hacker Papers, 1929-2004

This collection consists of the papers of Harold S. Hacker, Director of the Rochester Public Library from 1954 to 1978 and the "father of WXXI", the first noncommercial public broadcasting television station in the Rochester area. The materials date between 1929 and 2004. The papers are comprised of Harold Hacker's personal and professional correspondence, speeches, reports, newspaper clippings, publications, and awards.

Collection ID: 2014.011

Collection of Early Photographic Materials, Circa 1850-1910

This is an artificial collection consisting of early (pre-World War I) photographic material from or believed to be from the Rochester, New York area. The collection contains cabinet cards, carte de visit, photographic prints, and negatives dating from 1850 to 1910.

Collection ID: 2023.002

Eli M. Upton Papers, 1886, 1888

Letters, receipts, and personal papers. Most of the material relates to Upton's wholesale business. The material in this collection dates from 1886 and 1888.

Collection ID: 2014.010

Joseph Fellows Papers, 1812-1888

This collection consists of correspondence and legal documents for land agent Joseph Fellows (agent for the Pulteney Land Office). The materials in the collection date from 1812 to 1888.

Collection ID: 2014.030

Levy Bros. & Adler Records, 1884-1950, bulk 1916-1934

This collection consists of the records of Levy Brothers & Adler Rochester Inc., a major manufacturer of ready to wear men's clothing in Rochester, New York. The materials date between 1880 and 1950, with the bulk dating from 1916 to 1934. The materials include correspondence, minute books, stock records and stockholders' meeting records, contracts and other business records.

Collection ID: 1959.001