Almanac Collection

Collection — Box: 1-2

Identifier: 2020.010

Staff Only

Content Description

This is an artificial collection consisting of 65 almanacs published in the vicinity of Rochester, New York between 1812 and 1938 (accession 2020.011). An additional group of 47 almanacs donated by the Honeoye Falls-Mendon Historical Society (accession 2021.018) was added to the collection in 2021. The almanacs in the original collection have been housed individually in acid-free envelopes. They are arranged in chronological order. The Honeoye-Falls-Mendon donation consists of almanacs mostly bound together with simple chain stitching. The have been wrapped as a group and placed in a box.

Dates

Creation: 1812-1938

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

Almanacs were amongst the most common books in early America. With their information on astronomical events and weather predictions, almanacs provided information of benefit to a largely agrarian society. Besides this practical role, almanacs could also provide entertainment through comedic writing, disseminate medical information or provide information on special interests or specific groups. By the later nineteenth century, it was not uncommon for local newspapers or organizations to produce almanacs for their subscribers and members. This collection of almanacs from Rochester, New York bears witness to the these trends. An Anti-Masonic Almanac from 1829 speaks to the era's great political fad. Newspapers such as the Democrat & Chronicle and Evening Express produced almanacs in the 1870s and 1880s. Finally, we see almanacs used as advertising for patent medicine companies, like Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills, in the late nineteenth century.

Extent

0.56 Cubic Feet (1 box.) ; 16 x 10 x 6 inches

0.85 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection consists of 2 boxes.

Custodial History

This is an artificial collection consisting of materials removed from the collection of the Rochester Public Library, and of materials received in multiple gifts.

Custodial History

A Democrat & Chronicle article of September 5, 1937, explains the origin of part of this collection.The article states that 21 Rochester-imprint almanacs, dating between 1821 and 1847, had recently been donated to the Rochester Historical Society by Frank Gannett. The almanacs were then given to the Rochester Public Library and placed with other historic almanacs in the Local History & Genealogy Division. While an inventory of the donated almanacs is not given, the article does mention that they included an 1821 Farmers' Diary and an 1842 Franklin Almanac.

Bibliography

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. "Conner Prairie Historical Almanac Collection." Finding Aid, on-line. Accessed August 10, 2020 from http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/collections/HistAlmanac

University of Missouri - St. Louis. "The Crockett Almanacks & the Myth of the West." Digital exhibit. Accessed August 10, 2020 from https://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/events-and-exhibitions/online-exhibits/crockett_almanacks/Crockett_front_page.html

"Society Gains Rare Editions of Almanacs." Democrat & Chronicle (newspaper), Rochester, New York. September 5, 1937.