Rochester Institute of Technology - Techmila / Ramikin Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Photographed by F. w. Breiim

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HISTORICAL While erecting the George H. Clark Building as an expansion to the Rochester Institute of Technology, there is being car- ried on a progressive movement that had its origin when Rochester first became a dwell- ing place. This statement is substantiated when a review is made of the history of Rochester as an outstanding American city. The building of the first grist mill in 1789 by Ebenezer Allan, who recognized the latent energy of the Genesee River and put it to work, was the first move to establish com- munity industry. Following closely the activ- ities of Ebenezer Allan, was the coming of Col. Nathaniel Rochester, after whom the city was named. On a tablet prepared by the Rochester Historical Society is the following quotation: He Gave the City More Than a Name The Heritage of His Inspiring Personality The history of Col. Rochester is closely related to the evolution of the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Bevier Building was erected upon the site of Col. Rochester’s home. The Spring from which Spring Street derived its name was directly opposite. The two houses recently razed to make way for the George H. Clark Building were built by Col. Rochester for his son and daughter. The stairway that is used as a symbol to dramatize Progress was in the house formerly occupied by Col. Rochester’s daughter. (The Photograph was made while the building was being razed.) Associated with Col. Rochester and in the generations to follow were men who not only had the vision but who pro- moted culture. From the first organization of the Roch- ester Athenaeum in 1829 there has been a steady growth and expansion that is symbol- ized in the theme of upward growth. In the dramatized version of Progress the reference to the physical structure upon which the buildings rest is not a visionary picture cre- ated to carry on the story. Those not acquainted with the local geo- logical history will find interest in a quotation from Prof. Fairchild's history, quote, The Rochester canyon with its display of sedi- mentary rocks, richly colored and in distinct group, is one of the handsomest rock sections known. Directly underlying the city is the Lockport and Duclph magnesium limestone (Dolomite) and it is upon this foundation that the building of the Rochester Institute of Technology rests. In the gorge below the lower falls can still be found fossil remains of early life imbedded in the rock. Looking north from Driving Park bridge can be seen layer upon layer of glacial formation that began when the world was young.

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progress Hpott tfje eberlasting stroll of time 3ft mortis left, that men map reab. Phis itnagerp of craftsman’s skill 3s but a line upon the scroll»- 3lnb pet it speaks of time gone bp, 0f bital issues of the bap 3lnb prophecies of time to come. 31 spmbol in tfjc flight of time ?Pitb trenb to reach a goal on high. Plje home of tofjich if bias a part d tbes toap to neebs of greater scope. 3t marfeeb a place, UHjrre progress, in the time to come, JftilftllS the latos of bestinp. Plje ancient rock existing here JJearS testament of uptoarb grototb. 3lnb those tobo reab the Scroll of time il?ill See the fossil forms of life 3tnprisoncb tohen the tuorlb toas poung. Phis earlp life toas not in bain 25ut formeb a base for uptoarb grototh. Phis uptoarb mobc can Scarce be Seen mijen measureb bp the time of man, llut time eternal knotos no haste, ©et leabeS a line upon the scroll Co mark the progress it has mabe. Upon these rocks of ancient baps H)as spreab the molb that in its time iSecame the home for life aneto. Pbe earlp forms of human life ftemain obscure, but to this place Pbe reb men came anb foutib it goob. $)e Slakeb his thirst at ponber Spring 3lnb took his sustenance for life jfrom fielbs of his enbironment. $is bap of life tohen passcb atoap itlabe scarce a line upon the scroll, 3Put there tame one of bifferent moulb £5ho changeb tfje tempo of the time 3lnb speebeb progress on its toap. pe harnesseb nature’s energp Sub useb its potoer of manp banbs Po turn the toheels of inbuStrp. ftlen came to Share this source of potoer 31 ub Cohere once one man toorkeb alone, Jtten coulb be numbercb bp the Score. Phere then came one of finer moulb IDbo bisioneb grototb of greater Scope. IDitb minb anb energp combineb pe planneb that in some future time, Pbe toorlb tooulb knoto a place reuotoneb Jfor culture, home, anb inbustrp. pe built his home upon a plot IDhere noto the earth has been remobeb. Che solib rock tofjereon it stoob pccomes tlje base for future grototfj. Che bision Seen in time gone bp 3s seen again bp men tobap. Hike builbecs tobo babe gone before Pljep plan for future grototbS anb neebs, Unselfish gifts of minb anb might Sire giben to this enterprise. Phis structure to be seen of men 3s not the final goal besireb. Si Structure of far greater Scope i3ot bisible to mortal epe IM1 be a house not mabe bp banbs eternal in the life to come. »btn tools of life are laib asibe 3lnb those tobo builb pass on to their retoarb, Pbe passing throng toill see their recorb on tlje stroll, ©f bision anb of toork l$cll ©one. JfrcDericfe 11?. Brefjnt 33ft., 1945