Pioneer History of Rochester & Erie Canal

The early history of Rochester is of particular interest to everyone whether you were born here or only moved here recently. Meet the early pioneers who settled the area and find out how the roads we travel on every day got their names. Learn why the Erie canal was so important to Rochester, making it America’s first "boomtown." Hear the amazing life stories of some of the prominent families who were instrumental in early Rochester’s development including: Nathaniel Rochester, Abelard Reynolds, Gideon Cobb, Oliver Culver, James Cunningham and many others. Meet the inventor of the fishing reel, the baking soda baron of America and our first daredevil.

Inventors & Entrepreneurs Of Early Rochester

You will be surprised by the achievements of so many early Rochester inventors who made significant contributions to the world with inventions like the machine gun, mail chute, voting machine, gasoline automobile, dental chair, fuzzy pipe cleaner and much more. Be entertained by the stories of our many entrepreneurs and their philanthropy. Such men as Hiram Sibley, John Jacob Bausch, George Eastman, William Gleason and many others, made Rochester what it is today and put it on the map. Learn about Rochester’s oil baron, its connection with Jell-O, Buffalo Bill Cody, Indiana Jones, Jumbo the elephant, and how it transitioned from the "flour" city to the "flower" city.

Notable Men & Women of Early Rochester

Rochester was blessed with many notable men, but also many notable women who business acumen, philanthropy and dedication to moral and social ideals helped shape not just Rochester but the world. Learn about the interesting lives of Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, the founder of public nursing, one of the greatest children’s illustrators of all time, Dr. Sarah Dolley, Henry Alvah Strong, Martha Matilda Harper, Margaret Woodbury Strong, Rattlesnake Pete, and others. Rochester would not be what it is today without the contributions of these wonderful individuals.

Mansions & Millionaires of Early Rochester

Have you ever wondered about the history of the beautiful mansions of Rochester, particularly those around the East Avenue area? Who were the socially elite, rich and famous of Rochester who built and lived in these mansions, and how did they come by their wealth? Now those and many other questions will be answered as you go back in time to the glory days when gracious hospitality and elegant dinners were commonplace in East Avenue mansions. See many beautiful, interesting slides of mansions, millionaires, and wonderful anecdotes that will delight anyone who was born in Rochester or has lived here for a short time. Relive the days when automobiles were a novelty that only the rich could afford and the daring could drive. This nostalgic journey will evoke memories of stories your parents or grandparents told you about the "good old days."

Rochesterians Who Entertained The World

Did you know that Rochester was home for a period of time to many of America’s greatest entertainers? Some were born here, some lived here for a while and went on to become world renown entertainers. You will be astounded at how many people like silent film stars Louise Brooks, Clare Luce and more recent entertainers like Mitch Miller, Foster Brooks, William Warfield, Rene Fleming, Cab Calloway and many others at one time called Rochester their home. See some unique photos of these show business legends and hear their stories as they share memories of Rochester. Don’t miss this exciting new presentation.

More Rochesterians Who Entertained The World

This is a continuation of the very popular presentation Rochesterians Who Entertained The World with many more Rochester entertainers. The first presentation was so well received that many have asked for more. You will be continue to be amazed by entertainers like Roberta Quinlan, Chuck Connors, Chuck Mangione, Mimi Kennedy, John Lithgow, Robert Forster, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and many others who at one time called Rochester their home. See many unique photos of these show business legends and hear their stories as they share memories of Rochester. Don’t miss this the continuation of this exciting new presentation.

Arrange for the Lectures*

The information in this series is delightful - you'll gain many new stories to tell. Provide your organization with an entertaining evening where they will be amazed at the prolific, significant contributions of so many Rochesterians.

You can phone (585-442-0099) or click on the link to send an email to Rochester History and arrange for a very enjoyable and memorable time for your group. Don’t delay as the series was so popular that there was a waiting list last year.

  *Note: Please call or email to find out the current year's lecture schedule!