Tonight's meeting was held at the Rochester Historical Society (RHS) located at 1100 University Avenue. RHS is one of the oldest historical societies around starting in the late 1800's. The mission is "Celebrating, Preserving, and Advancing the History of Rochester, New York". Bill Keeler is the Librarian/Archivist and the only employee. Bill has been with RHS for 25 years. Bob Scheidt is on the board and is the treasurer. RHS is a chartered museum in the state of NY. Many cities have one centralized historical society but Rochester is divided up among several disparate organizations. Recently, RHS and the Landmark Society have agreed to work together so there is start on getting a more cohesive organization. The facility currently used is undersized so another goal is to find a new location that would better be able to preserve and display all the artifacts.
Mr. Keeler gave us a quick tour of RHS which included several interesting items:
- Cannonballs that the 54th Regiment paramilitary group in Rochester would use in target practice from the Newport House area into Webster. These are still being found by a gentleman who searches for them and then has to have them disarmed.
- 1777 rifle owned by Mary Jemison.
- Susan B. Anthony dress purchased in 1883 in London.
- Colonel Patrick O'Rorke's military uniform.
- The Susan Helen DeKroyft Collection: her husband died on the way to their honeymoon, she went blind from grief and became a famous author and lecturer. We saw a ledger book with Abraham Lincoln's signature when he purchased one of her books for $1.
- many documents, maps, clothing, furniture, lamps, etc. from Rochester's history
Thanks to Bob Scheidt for arranging and for Bill Keeler for the very interesting tour. RHS Memberships and donations are accepted and needed to continue their mission.
