News Release - The City of Rochester and Bausch + Lomb to Relight & Rededicate the “Lomb Memorial” on Memorial Day 2016

City of Rochester - Bausch + Lomb

News Release

(Wednesday, May 25, 2016) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren will partner with Bausch + Lomb to relight and rededicate the “Lomb Memorial” on Monday. The memorial has not been illuminated for more than 30 years. A special ceremony will be held at Lomb Memorial Park, located at the corner of Upper Falls Boulevard and St. Paul Street on Memorial Day.

“This memorial symbolizes Rochester’s past, as a national leader in innovation and manufacturing, and with Monday’s rededication it will become an important part of our future, serving as a beacon to our Northeast neighborhoods,” Mayor Lovely A. Warren said. “Bausch + Lomb has long been a treasured institution, providing jobs to our citizens, and their efforts to revive this monument shows their continued commitment to our city and our neighborhoods.”

The “Lomb Memorial” was first dedicated in 1932 on Memorial Day as a tribute to Captain Henry Lomb, the co-founder of Bausch + Lomb, for his love for humanity, as well as for the citizens of Rochester and Bausch + Lomb employees. The Lomb monument was gifted to the City of Rochester from the Bausch + Lomb family in front of 40,000 spectators, and was presented as a symbol for success based on hard work, courage, self-sacrifice and devotion to others.

It has been 85 years since the City of Rochester named the property “Lomb Memorial Park,” in 1931. It was also at this time when work began to design the truly unique Lomb Memorial, which stands as a classic example of mid-century Art Deco sculpture. Designed by Rochester architect Walter Cassebeer, (the first Rochester architect to be trained at the Ecole des Baeux Arts in Paris), the 48-foot tall obelisk is constructed of black Minnesota granite, cast aluminum and glass. On each of the four sides of the shaft are inscriptions expressing Capt. Lomb's various interests as patriot, philanthropist and community leader.

“We are thrilled to join the City of Rochester to honor one of our co-founders whose commitment to the City of Rochester and the betterment of others has helped provide the gift of sight to millions around the world for more than 160 years,” said Dr. George Grobe, vice president of Research & Development, Vision Care and Surgical, Bausch + Lomb. “Captain Henry Lomb’s legacy is defined through his hard work, sacrifice and dedication to making Rochester a better place to live and to improving the lives of others. These values formed the foundation of Bausch + Lomb, which continues today as we carry forward and build upon the principles of our founders in helping eye care professionals provide their patients excellence in eye care.”

The relighting of the Lomb Memorial is part of a broader effort to restore the Lomb Memorial Park, which is bounded by Lowell Street, St. Paul Street, and Upper Falls Boulevard, and create a gateway to the city’s Northeast neighborhoods.

Leading up to the special ceremony, the City of Rochester and Bausch + Lomb will post information about Lomb Memorial Park and the restoration project on their social media channels.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.