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Discover the past through the stories of those who lived it!

The Gleason Tool Company at Brown's Race, ca. 1890s.

From the collection of the Rochester Public Library Local History Division.

View Kate Gleason Collection

The Erie Canal Aqueduct over the Genesee River, 1890

From the collection of the Rochester Public Library Local History Division.

View Rochester History Timeline

Rundel Memorial Building of the Rochester Public Library, ca. 1950-1970.

From the collection of the Rochester Public Library Local History Division.

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Topics

Learn about different subjects through a variety of historical materials drawn from across our collections. View All

Collections

Explore original documents, photographs, interviews, and other primary sources from the special collections of the Rochester Public Library and its partners. View All

Exhibits

Discover the stories of Rochester’s past through selected texts and images capturing the experiences of those who lived it. View All

Timelines

Take a virtual trip through Rochester's past with these interactive timelines to learn about the people, places, and events that shaped America's first boomtown. View All