| Rochester
is known as the "Flour City" and the "Flower City." It began
as a small township around a mill. When the Erie Canal was
built through Rochester, the city became a major trade center
for grain shipped from the Midwest to the East, as well
as the supplies that were shipped back to the Midwest. Rochester's
strategic location on the Genesee river allowed for the
construction of numerous flour mills in the city.
Thanks to the philanthropy
of George Eastman, the industrialist who lived in Rochester
and founded several world-renowned institutions, Rochester
is home to the Eastman Kodak Co., the Eastman School of
Music, and the George Eastman House photography museum.
Rochester has a history of
progressivism. Large numbers of freed slaves lived in
the city and Frederick Douglass's paper, The North
Star was printed there. Susan B. Anthony hailed from
Rochester and her influence helped lead the University
of Rochester to accept women in 1900.
Since World War II, Rochester
saw a decline in population but has also seen periods
of urban renewal funded by industry, such as Xerox. In
the 60's and 70's, the city became known as the leading
Jazz town in upstate New York. Today, the city holds its
annual International Jazz Festival every June.
Rochester has a small international
airport to which air fares are generally expensive. Some
of the best deals can be found with JetBlue when flying
from
JFK Airport in New York City. There is a
Greyhound bus station which is located in the heart of
downtown. There is also a train station with four daily
trains from New York City. Rochester is also on the route
from Chicago and Toronto.
To see the city, a car is
a virtual necessity. This is definitely a drivers' city.
Either bring your own car or rent one on the arrival floor
of the airport. Outside of downtown, the suburbs are not
very walkable with sidewalks and pedestrian crossings
placed sporadically. There are bus lines run by the Regional
Transit System (RTS), fares are $1.25 for a single ride.
History
- Susan
B. Anthony House, 17 Madison St., +1
585-235-6124,Winter Hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
W-Su, 11AM-4PM; Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor
Day), Tu-Su, 11AM-5PM. Highlights of life of the famous
women's rights activist, including influences, the many
reforms she worked for (suffrage, abolition, temperance,
education, and a purse of her own among them), her friendship
with Frederick Douglass, and her trial after voting
illegally in 1872. $3-6 admission.
Museums
and galleries
- Mount Hope Cemetery,
Mt. Hope Ave. Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and
other historical figures are buried in this beautiful
old cemetery. Also a great place for running.
- Seneca
Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul St,. The entire zoo
can easily be enjoyed in an afternoon.
- Artisan
Works,. A non-profit organization housed in
a huge warehouse, Artisanworks contains a labyrinth
of hallways and levels where every square inch is covered
with art in all media (but mostly painting and sculpture).
Everything is for sale. Provides studio space to dozens
of artists, some of whom may be working when you visit,
and all of whom are happy to chat about what they're
making. Also contains the Triangle Theater, a 30-seat
movie theater which features films by student and local
filmmakers. $12/adults, $8/students & seniors.
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