Frederick W. Fisher papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 2017-014

Staff Only

Content Description

One bound volume, 1 envelope, 4 folders of letters, photographs and other materials documenting Frederick W. Fisher's service to and retirement from the Rochester Gas and Electric Company.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the professional life of Frederick W. Fisher, whose career with Rochester Gas and Electric began in 1909 and ended with his retirement in 1947. While Fisher's career began as an engineer, the vast majority of the materials refer to his service as the company's Personnel Director in the 1930s and 1940s, or to his post-retirement life. The materials include a unique memory book created to document his decade as editor of the company's in-house organ, the Gas and Electric News. Publications, clippings and memorabilia largely document Fisher's professional life, while the correspondence concerns his retirement and post-retirement life.

Dates

Creation: 1929 - 1973
Creation: Majority of material found within 1930 - 1948

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is held by the Rochester Public Library. Copyright of the papers may be held by the authors', or authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain written permission of the holder[s] of copyright and the Rochester Public Library before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical / Historical

Frederick W. Fisher, a Fairport native, graduated from Cornell University with a degree in civil engineering in 1903. For a few years, he worked in construction, notably with the Hudson Corporation, builder of the "Hudson Tubes" tunnels between Jersey City and lower Manhattan. He joined Rochester Gas and Electric in 1909, first as a field engineer, then as construction and safety engineer. Amongst the projects he oversaw at this time was the construction of the diversion tunnel carrying water from the Middle Falls of the Genesee River to the hydroelectric plant at the Lower Falls. Starting in 1916, he served as the company's Employment Manager, becoming the Director of Personnel and Public Relations upon the creation of the position in 1927. He retained this position until his retirement in 1947. Mr. Fisher passed away in 1955.

Extent

.086 Cubic Feet (5 folders, one volume.) ; 12 x 9 x 2.5

.347 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection comprises the personal papers of Frederick W. Fisher, whose 38 year career with Rochester Gas and Electric began as an engineer and concluded as Personnel Director. The collection includes publications, photographs, correspondence (all in regards to or post-retirement), and memorabilia.

Arrangement

This collection includes one bound volume and five folders in a single series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Dallas Scharffenberger, Mr. Fisher's grandson, 2017.

Condition Description

Mostly in good to excellent condition. The bound volume, documenting Mr. Fisher's career as editor of Rochester Gas and Electric's in-house publication, Gas & Electric News, has suffered substantial water damage and many pages are blocked together.