Rochester, New York
A History of Tolerance
Rochester and I go way back. The first time I set foot in the city was in August 1979, when my parents drove me to the University of Rochester to begin my freshman year of college. I knew very little about the city, other than it being home to Kodak. And I knew it would be cold.
But there is so much more to Rochester beyond camera film and subfreezing temperatures. The city has a long history of promoting human rights and equality. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass lived in Rochester longer than any other city in his life (1847-1872). The suffragette Susan B. Anthony moved to Rochester in 1845, was arrested there for voting in 1872, and died there in 1906. Both Frederick and Sue B. are buried in Rochester at Mount Hope Cemetery. You can visit both of their graves there, just several minutes' walk apart.
Rochester's Pride Parade takes place each July
Today, Kodak is no longer the force it once was in Rochester, but LGBTQ Pride is alive and well. You'll find Rochester's Pride Parade taking place each July, rather than the conventional June festivity. The city's LGBTQ celebration dates back to the 1970s, when the local LGBTQ community began holding an annual picnic in Genesee Valley Park each July. The tradition stuck.
The Public Market is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
There's much to do and see in Rochester, and truth be told, it's a lot easier when the weather is mild. Consider starting your day at the Mad Hatter, where you can have a delicious breakfast and feel like you are dining in somebody's living room. You can shop for fresh produce, sweet and savory treats, and other fare at the Public Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Take a break for a coffee, tea, or other beverage or goodies at Equal Grounds Coffee House on South Avenue, where all are welcome and where LGBTQ groups regularly meet.
Breakfast at the Mad Hatter is mad good!
Are you into vinyl or CDs? The Record Archive is a warehouse-sized treasure trove of all things musical, including nostalgic items and even a performance space. If you're a culture bug, see what's playing at the Rochester Jazz Festival (held each summer) or the Eastman School of Music (throughout the year).
From Frank Sinatra to Bobby Sherman, Barbra Streisand to Coldplay, you can find it all at the Record Archive
Jonesing for a walk? You can stroll through history on the paved pathway alongside the Erie Canal, which runs through the city. In the mood for waterfalls? The High Falls neighborhood downtown features a bridge to view the falls, while just a little ways south of the city, Letchworth State Park will awe you with its gorgeous gorges and falls.
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't include a plug for Liz's favorite vintage store, Henrietta Antique Mall on Jefferson Road. I've never seen such a well-organized trove of delights. Just don't buy all the handkerchiefs, because that's what Liz is always on the lookout for!
Stunning views await at Letchworth State Park
Wherever you go throughout Rochester, you'll feel Pride in action. Sometimes it's loud, like the parade in July. But most of the time it's quiet — a Pride flag on a business or home, Pride colors on a T shirt, a colorful peace sign on a car bumper. It doesn't matter if the temperature is frigid or the skies are snowy — Rochester is always here to welcome you, warmly.
Rosie