Collection on the Rochester Sesquicentennial
Content Description
This collection documents the events and activities surrounding the celebration of Rochester's Sesquicentennial in 1984. It includes ephemera, photographs, newspaper clippings and documents related to these events. These materials came from an anonymous source with ties to the organization that officially planned these events, Rochester Sesquicentennial Inc. The majority of the collection is related to the major public programs of the year, including the Commemoration, Dinner and Gala Ball, the various festivals, and the tall ship visit. It also includes a complete press packet for marketing the events.
Dates
- Creation: 1984
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.
Administrative History
Rochester, New York, was incorporated as a city in 1834. To celebrate the sesquicentennial of this event, Rochester Sesquicentennial Inc. was established in September of 1982 to plan and coordinate commemorative events. Led by Rosalie C. Hanson, the organization was given a $450,000 budget, with $200,000 coming from the City, $100,000 from Monroe County, and a planned $150,000 from private and corporate donors. The organization planned a series of major events across the course of 1984, the largest of which were the Dinner and Gala Ball on April 28, the Downtown Festival June 8-10 (in cooperation with the Women’s Coalition for Downtown), the canal and Genesee River festival July 6-8, and the Lake Ontario festival July 13-15. The last of these events included a visit by several tall ships to the Port of Rochester, including the sloop Providence, memorabilia of which is included in this collection.
Extent
.25 Cubic Feet (One document box and one oversize folder.) ; Box 12 x 10 x 5; folder 24 x 20.
.25 Cubic Feet
.05 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection consists of materials related to the Rochester Sesquicentennial celebration in 1984. Practically all of the materials date from that year. The materials consist of posters, newspaper clippings, a press packet, realia, ephemera, pamphlets, fliers, programs, photographs and postcards.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one document box and one oversize folder, arranged as a single series.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Anonymously donated to the Winton Branch Library by a person who identified himself only as a figure involved with the planning of the sesquicentennial celebration and asked not to be recognized. The donated materials are sometimes addressed to Ben Campanelli, who may be the donor.
Bibliography
Bunis, Dena. “Costs for the Tall Ships soar to $800,000 in Canadian dollars.” Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, July 11, 1984: p.2.
“Wanted: Ideas on how city can celebrate 150th birthday in 1984.” Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, January 4, 1983: p.4.
Processing Information
Due to the anonymous nature of the donor of these materials, the possible provenance was reconstructed based on clues in the materials themselves.
- Title
- A Guide to the Collection on the Rochester Sesquicentennial Resource
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Brandon Fess
- Date
- 2019-03-06
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Local History & Genealogy Division Repository
115 South Ave.
Rochester 14604 USA
585-428-8370
585-428-8353 (Fax)
lochistref@libraryweb.org