James DeVinney/Corn Hill Historian Papers
Content Description
This collection consists of serials, papers of the Corn Hill neighborhood historian, and blueprints of buildings in the Corn Hill neighborhood of Rochester, New York. A large quantity of this collection is dedicated to the documentation of the Third Ward Urban Renewal Project during the 1970's and 1980's and comprises meeting minutes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Materials in the collection date between 1843 and 2021, with the bulk dating between 1957 and 2019. The collection was donated to the Rochester Public Library by the estate of James DeVinney in 2021.
Dates
- Creation: 1957-2022
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1957-2019
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.
Biographical / Historical
James Devinney arrived in the Third Ward of Rochester in his retirement after a profound career in public broadcasting as a documentarian. While a resident in Corn Hill, he filled the position of Historian for the neighborhood. During this time, he began gathering materials related to Corn Hill with the aim of making a documentary on its history and goings-on. His estate has donated the collection in hopes that its contents may be preserved for future use.
Mr. Devinney was born on January 6, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. After receiving an education at the State College of Pennsylvania his work took him many places all over the country (Rochester, Pittsburgh, Boston, then Fort Wayne and Rochester again), earning him four Emmy awards. He was a lifelong advocate for the arts and participated in many events put on by the neighborhood to engage visitors in the local culture of Corn Hill. James DeVinney was father to four children: survived by daughters Michele (Michael Kaufmann), Mimi, Tara Torrance (Jim), and son Rob. He died in Rochester on September 11th, 2021.
Extent
9.5 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection consists of serials, papers of the Corn Hill neighborhood historian and blueprints of buildings in the Corn Hill neighborhood of Rochester, New York. Materials in the collection date between 1843 and 2021. The collection was donated to the Rochester Public Library by the estate of James DeVinney in 2021.
Arrangement
This collection consists of 9.5 boxes and one oversized folder, arranged in three series:
Series I: Corn Hill Gazette Serials, 1980-2021
Series II: Papers of Corn Hill Historians, 1843-2019
Sub-series A: James Devinney
Sub-series B: Robert Goodling
Sub-series C: Origin Uncertain
Series III: Blueprints of Corn Hill Buildings
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Estate of James Devinny in 2021
Bibliography
"Remembering Jim Devinney" Corn Hill | Rochester, NY, Accessed on August 2, 2022 https://cornhill.org/remembering-jim-devinney/
Condition Description
Materials in the collection are in fair to good condition.
- Title
- A Guide to the James DeVinney/Corn Hill Historian Papers
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Meghan Patricia Dale, advised and completed by Brandon Fess
- Date
- 2022-08-03
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
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