The Special Collections of the Local History & Genealogy Division hold over 500 cubic feet of personal papers, records, and manuscripts related to the Genesee Valley region. These important primary sources are invaluable to the preservation of our 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slides, and original artwork, highlights of these collections include a 1792 deed signed by Ebenezer “Indian” Allen; unpublished histories and biographies; and personal papers of Susan B. Anthony, former Rochester mayor Hiram Edgerton, and Nathaniel Rochester and the Rochester family,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.
Procedures for Access and Use of Special Collection Materials
Terms of Access to Materials
Only a small number of collections are in the catalog; these are listed below. All collections held and described by the Rochester Public Library are searchable through our page on the Empire Archival Discovery Cooperative at https://www.empireadc.org/search/repositories/nr. Researchers are asked to call ahead or use the appointment request form at https://roccitylibrary.org/local-history-genealogy-resources/research-appointment-request/ to request access to special collections materials. Access to collections cannot be guaranteed without prior contact; please contact us at least 2 days before you plan to come in to use special collections materials. Because of the rare and unique nature of the collections, additional access procedures apply to all special collections. All researchers are subject to the Local History & Genealogy Division Terms of Access.
Finding aids are available for the following collections:
- Health Association of Rochester and Monroe County Records
- Interfaith Action Records
- Irene M. Conole Collection
- Jacob Gitelman Papers
- Jean Vance Clarke Papers
- Monroe County League of Women Voters Records
- Paul H. Neumann Rochester Products Collection
- Photographic Heritage Association/Photo Archives Belong in Rochester (PHA/PABIR) Records
- Raymond L. Rohner Papers
- Robert N. Abbott Collection
- Rochester Area Educational Television Association Records
- Rochester Community Players Records
- Rochester Women’s Educational and Industrial Union Records
- William J. Pearce Papers
- Urbanarium Records
- Joan Giuffre Papers
- David Emert and Jon P. Templin Collection On The Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus And ImageOut Film Festival
- Karen Monast Collection Of 1993 March On Washington And Marriage Equality
- Black Rose Productions Records
- Kathie Reilly Papers
- Anne Tischer And Bess Watts Collection On Marriage Equality
- Pamela Barres Collection
- Gay Alliance Of The Genesee Valley Ephemera Collection
- Hugh Mitchell Environmental Activism Collection Ead
- Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) Of Rochester (N.Y.) Collection Ead
- Gay Alliance Of The Genesee Valley Collection
Donations and Deeds of Gift
The Local History & Genealogy Division accepts donations of materials that are in fair to good condition and free of mold and/or pests. Please call the library at 585-428-8370 for assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not provide appraisals. Due to staff shortages, the Local History Division cannot provide item-level inventories of your donation.
Reproductions and Permissions
Reproduction of materials is at the discretion of the librarian as condition of materials may prohibit reproduction. All photocopying is undertaken by library staff.
Photographic reproduction of any library materials for publication requires library permission. Fees may apply.
Permission to reproduce or photograph material does not imply permission to publish. It is the patron’s obligation to satisfy copyright regulations when copying or using materials found in the collection.
