City of Rochester
News Release
(Monday, June 26, 2023) – The City of Rochester will unveil historic markers at two sites on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to educate the public about important places in our city’s history. These unveiling ceremonies are free and open to the public.
Worldwide Headquarters and Laboratory of Martha Mathilda Harper’s “Harper Method”
Unveiling at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 27 at 1233 E. Main St. (Currently Tire Trax)
Martha Matilda Harper started out as an indentured servant in Canada before immigrating to Rochester in the 1880s. She used her life savings to establish a hair care system known as the “Harper Method” in 1888. She also created what we now know as modern retail franchising, becoming the first entrepreneur to own an international retail franchise, with more than 500 shops worldwide.
At the unveiling, Harper biographer Jane Plitt will briefly discuss Harper’s legacy.
Rapids Cemetery
Unveiling at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 27 at 86 Congress Ave.
The cemetery is one of the few reminders left standing from Castletown, a settlement clustered on the western banks of the Genesee River that once rivaled the nearby frontier community of Rochesterville. Residents interred in the pioneer burial ground include early settlers as well as veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Residents of the city’s 19th Ward and area veterans have been researching burials and restoring the cemetery over the past several years.
The markers are funded by grants from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. Established by Trustee Bill Pomeroy in 2005 to bring together his two greatest passions, the Pomeroy Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation’s leading funder of historic roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 2,100 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 48 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation, visit wgpfoundation.org.
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The Administration of Mayor Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone. Guided by the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester 2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of Rochester.