Black History Month | Rochester New York

1 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass is easily the most well-known figure in Rochester's Black History. He made his home here from 1847 to 1872 and is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

2 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Anna Murray-Douglass was Frederick Douglass' first wife. She inspired him to escape slavery. Murray-Douglass also established a waypoint on the Underground Railroad after they moved to Rochester.

3 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Activist Hester Jeffrey is known for establishing African-American women's social clubs and suffrage groups in Rochester. She also served on the Frederick Douglass Monument Committee.

4 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Charles Augustus Thompson is said to be the first African-American graduate of the University of Rochester in 1891. He went on to work in Memphis as a principal, teacher, chiropractic practitioner, and later as a preacher.

5 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Beatrice Amaza Howard was the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Rochester. She received a B.A. degree in 1931 and a M.Ed. degree in 1933. She also graduated from East High School.

University of Rochester

6 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Escaped slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman owned this home in Auburn. She bought it from U.S. Senator William Seward in 1857 and lived there for most of her days until her death in 1913. The home was also used as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today it is part of a national historic park and is open to the public.

7 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Journalist and historian Howard Coles founded "The Voice" newspaper in 1933. It was eventually renamed the "Frederick Douglass Voice." Coles was also the first African-American radio personality in Rochester.

8 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Bill Johnson was the first African-American mayor of Rochester. Johnson served from January 1994 through December 2005.

9 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Lovely Warren is not only the first African-American woman to serve as the mayor of Rochester, she is also the first woman to hold the office. She took office in January 2014. Warren previously served as president of Rochester City Council.

10 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Dr. Freddie Thomas moved to Rochester in 1952. He was a scientist, inventor, biologist, and scholar known for his pioneering research in genetics and plastic surgery at the University of Rochester.

11 of 11

Rochester's Black History

Architect Thomas Wilson Boyde Junior’s fingerprints are all over Rochester. He designed the Strathallan Hotel on East Avenue and the Kennedy Towers on South Plymouth Avenue. Boyde also designed hundreds of homes around the city and helped design Monroe Community Hospital.

Latest Stories From Around New York State