Collection of Bills and Receipts

Collection — Box: 1-3

Identifier: 2019-015

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consists of bills and receipts from diverse businesses and individuals in the greater Rochester, New York area. It is an artificial collection assembled to pull loose bills and receipts found loose in collection storage into an archival resource. The collection includes bills and receipts from hundreds of Rochester-area businesses, including such giants as Eastman Kodak, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, and Rochester Gas and Electric. The materials in the collection date between 1808 and 1971.

Dates

Creation: Circa 1808 - 1961

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 has a rich business and industrial history. Founded in large part to exploit the rich waterpower potential of the falls of the Genesee River, Rochester's nicknames of Flour City, Flower City and Imaging Capital of the World trace the city's industrial evolution from flour milling to nurseries to optical, photographic and imaging technology. While these nicknames reflect industries that represented Rochester to the glope, other, diverse industries also made Rochester home. Western Union, National Postal Meter, French's Mustard and Fannie Farmer all began in Rochester, while heavier industries ranging from Pfaudler and General Railway Signal to a rich tradition of small precision machining companies added to the Rochester scene. At the same time, Rochester underwent a retail and service industry evolution reflective of changes found across the nation, from early local shopkeepers to great mid-20th Century department stores. This collection includes sample and representative bills and receipts from diverse Rochester businesses, industrial, retail and service, providing a window into the city's rich business and industrial history.

Extent

3.125 Cubic Feet (Three cartons) ; Each carton is 12 x 15 x 10.

2.51 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This is an artificial collection comprised of bills and receipts collected by the Rochester Public Library's Local History Division over several decades. The materials in the collection date between 1808 and 1971, and represent hundreds of Rochester businesses.

Arrangement

This collection consists of three boxes arranged as a single series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection originated as a vertical file held by the Rochester Public Library. The contents were accumulated over the course of several decades, from diverse sources, and detailed acquisition records were not maintained for each of the items in it.