New York State Literary Center

The Rochester Historical Mural

2009

To have those incarcerated recognize the importance of the history of the community in which they live is a vital component of NYSLC’s pedagogy. The Rochester Historical Mural was based upon Rochester’s history. Dale Davis, Founder and Executive Director of NYSLC, provided the research, an overview of individuals prominent in Rochester’s history. Incarcerated youth at Monroe Correctional Facility worked with Dale Davis on the historical events and some of the individuals who formed Rochester, Nathaniel Rochester, Austin Steward, Frederick Douglass, Susan Brownell Anthony, Howard Wilson Coles, Amy Kirby Post, Sam Patch, and Mildred Johnson. Once individual and events were selected, the incarcerated youth worked with visual artist Margo Muto translating history visually through the development of sketches and drawings. A publication on the mural was created by NYSLC and was made available both as an historical and teaching resource at the Monroe Correctional Facility to facilitate the integration of the mural into education at the facility.

The Rochester Historical Mural was located in Monroe Correctional Facility from 2009 – 2019. In 2019 it was moved to Monroe County Jail.

The Monroe County Jail is located on 130 Plymouth Avenue, South, Rochester New York. It is on the land that was part of the original one hundred acres tract purchased by Colonel Nathaniel Rochester, Colonel William Fitzhugh, and Major Charles Carroll in 1803.

WRITING ON THE ROCHESTER HISTORICAL MURAL

From discrimination, the underground railroad, Rochester history, Rochester being the second home for Frederick Douglass, what I would like to say to you who observe this mural is that this is more than a piece of artwork. This mural brought men in Monroe Correctional Facility together. We put our differences aside. The great thing about working on this mural is that you don’t see this very often these days.

The crazy thing is back then it used to be about us as people. Today everyone plays themselves all across the globe. Working on the mural was united we stand, divided we fall. We stood and the result of our standing is presented to you in this mural.

I hope you will take it for what it is and relate it to your own life. Acknowledge just how far we have come as a community and think if we work together how far we can go. It’s not about what the world can do for me, but what can I do for the world. Pretty much this is what working on this mural opened my eyes to.

This mural gave me the opportunity to look back at the history of the city I live in. Working on it was a great experience. This helped me see there is so much more to life than spending it in jail. I am now seeing that I still have a chance in life, all I have to do is to keep pushing myself.

I believe if a project like this was held more often in the city it would change a lot of the young people’s states of mind and how they look at life.

The one saying that now and forever will stick with me is Susan B. Anthony’s “Failure is impossible.”

I encourage you to look at this and ask yourself where you want to see yourself in the future.

Anonymous

During the time I worked on the mural I learned more than I ever expected. One thing I learned was that Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony worked together. A black man and a white woman working together was unheard of at that time. I, also, learned that Frederick Douglass actually published his own newspaper, The North Star, and the office was in downtown Rochester. I was surprised to learn Frederick Douglass home schooled his children. I found great inspiration in what I learned.

I have a few words for those of you looking at our mural. Please take a moment to look at it piece by piece and try to absorb what you see and what you feel. Try to understand the message the mural is delivering.

I would also like you to look at the mural and leave with the positive influence that your dreams can come true with hard work and determination.

Working on this mural I learned I have a very broad artistic side of me, and I want to pursue the process of creating art in my education.

The Rochester Historical Mural was made possible with funding from The Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation and the New York State Council on The Arts.