Formed by glaciers, Mount Hope Cemetery's landscape features high hills and deep valleys, winding eskers and deep kettles. Since the cemetery's dedication in 1838, a third of a million people have taken permanent residence in this 198-acre site where you will find more than 375,000 graves. This cemetery is a great place to go if you want to learn more about American history and geology, or if you just want to go for a peaceful walk and enjoy some quiet time in a beautiful wooded setting. ( A GREAT place to take a date! Trust me!)
I chose this place to begin our road trip for three reasons:
1. I went to college and lived in the Rochester area from 1989-2004. I love it there! The entire area is filled with rich history and culture, good wine, breathtaking scenery and great people. I wish I could really take you there to experience the Finger Lakes region and all it has to offer.
2. The Mt. Hope cemetery is a great place to reflect on the contributions of two of the greatest civil rights leaders in our nation's history: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. These two antebellum reformers were friends, lived down the street from one another, and supported each other's fight for women's rights and African-American rights, respectively. Susan B. Anthony was a fierce abolitionist and Frederick Douglass was the only man to speak at the Seneca Falls Convention supporting women's right to vote. I have spent quality time at each of their grave sites, marveling at the accomplishments of each of these individuals. Their tireless quest for justice on the part of oppressed minorities is awesome to contemplate!
3. Finally, I think that in visiting the grave sites of these two incredible Americans, we are forced to reflect upon their legacies. Although both Anthony and Douglass died before women and African-Americans were given their rights as American citizens, they helped lay the foundation for future generations to continue the fight for rights and to make this a land of equal opportunity. My whole class is about bringing American history to life. Isn't it strange then to do that by visiting a place associated with death?! (Deep thought for the day...)
Here's a little more info...
See full size image
(Admirers visiting Susan B. Anthony's grave site.)
Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906)
Prohibited from speaking at a temperance rally in Albany in 1852, Susan B. Anthony spent the rest of her life seeking equality for women. Although she did not live to see its passage, Susan B. proposed the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Known as the Anthony Amendment, it gave voting rights to women and was finally adopted in 1920. The historic Susan B. Anthony House is located in Rochester.
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)
Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass left his master's house and took a train north to freedom disguised as a seaman. Brilliant and dedicated to the abolitionist cause, Douglass became a world-renowned author, orator, and publisher, and a tireless leader of the antislavery movement. He spent 25 of his most productive years in Rochester, where he published his famous newspaper The North Star.
See full size image
Fun Things to do while in Roch-cha-cha (As the locals like to call it!)
1. Ride the "Sam Patch" along the Erie Canal or roller blade/bike/walk on the tow path beside the canal. When you finish, stop for an ice cream cone and feed the ducks!
2. Take a tour of the George Eastman house. He was the founder of Kodak and taking a tour of his mansion is a great way to spend an hour or two on a rainy day.
3, Take a tour of Susan B. Anthony's home. While you are there, check out the area where she hid runaway slaves. Rochester was a popular stop on the Underground Railroad because of its proximity to the Canadian border.
4. Cool off at Charlotte Beach and take a dip in Lake Ontario. You can say you've been swimming in the Great Lakes! On a clear day, you can look across and see Toronto!
5. Stop for lunch at Nick Tahou's for a "Garbage Plate," a Rochester LEGEND! (Make sure you pack some antacid!)
6. Snap a photo of #46 Argyle St., Mrs. Lehmann's home for the last five years of her swingin' single life. (Fred lived at #149 Culver Rd. - one block over - in case you're interested!)
7. Visit your friendssiblings who are fortunate enough to be attending the University of Rochester, R.I.T., St. John Fischer, or any of the other colleges/universities in the area.
8. To be continued... it is 10 pm and I need to get some sleep!
Mt. Hope Cemetery Rochester, N.Y.
Formed by glaciers, Mount Hope Cemetery's landscape features high hills and deep valleys, winding eskers and deep kettles. Since the cemetery's dedication in 1838, a third of a million people have taken permanent residence in this 198-acre site where you will find more than 375,000 graves. This cemetery is a great place to go if you want to learn more about American history and geology, or if you just want to go for a peaceful walk and enjoy some quiet time in a beautiful wooded setting. ( A GREAT place to take a date! Trust me!)
I chose this place to begin our road trip for three reasons:
1. I went to college and lived in the Rochester area from 1989-2004. I love it there! The entire area is filled with rich history and culture, good wine, breathtaking scenery and great people. I wish I could really take you there to experience the Finger Lakes region and all it has to offer.
2. The Mt. Hope cemetery is a great place to reflect on the contributions of two of the greatest civil rights leaders in our nation's history: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. These two antebellum reformers were friends, lived down the street from one another, and supported each other's fight for women's rights and African-American rights, respectively. Susan B. Anthony was a fierce abolitionist and Frederick Douglass was the only man to speak at the Seneca Falls Convention supporting women's right to vote. I have spent quality time at each of their grave sites, marveling at the accomplishments of each of these individuals. Their tireless quest for justice on the part of oppressed minorities is awesome to contemplate!
3. Finally, I think that in visiting the grave sites of these two incredible Americans, we are forced to reflect upon their legacies. Although both Anthony and Douglass died before women and African-Americans were given their rights as American citizens, they helped lay the foundation for future generations to continue the fight for rights and to make this a land of equal opportunity. My whole class is about bringing American history to life. Isn't it strange then to do that by visiting a place associated with death?! (Deep thought for the day...)
Here's a little more info...
(Admirers visiting Susan B. Anthony's grave site.)
Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906)
Prohibited from speaking at a temperance rally in Albany in 1852, Susan B. Anthony spent the rest of her life seeking equality for women. Although she did not live to see its passage, Susan B. proposed the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Known as the Anthony Amendment, it gave voting rights to women and was finally adopted in 1920. The historic Susan B. Anthony House is located in Rochester.
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)
Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass left his master's house and took a train north to freedom disguised as a seaman. Brilliant and dedicated to the abolitionist cause, Douglass became a world-renowned author, orator, and publisher, and a tireless leader of the antislavery movement. He spent 25 of his most productive years in Rochester, where he published his famous newspaper The North Star.
Fun Things to do while in Roch-cha-cha (As the locals like to call it!)
1. Ride the "Sam Patch" along the Erie Canal or roller blade/bike/walk on the tow path beside the canal. When you finish, stop for an ice cream cone and feed the ducks!
2. Take a tour of the George Eastman house. He was the founder of Kodak and taking a tour of his mansion is a great way to spend an hour or two on a rainy day.
3, Take a tour of Susan B. Anthony's home. While you are there, check out the area where she hid runaway slaves. Rochester was a popular stop on the Underground Railroad because of its proximity to the Canadian border.
4. Cool off at Charlotte Beach and take a dip in Lake Ontario. You can say you've been swimming in the Great Lakes! On a clear day, you can look across and see Toronto!
5. Stop for lunch at Nick Tahou's for a "Garbage Plate," a Rochester LEGEND! (Make sure you pack some antacid!)
6. Snap a photo of #46 Argyle St., Mrs. Lehmann's home for the last five years of her swingin' single life. (Fred lived at #149 Culver Rd. - one block over - in case you're interested!)
7. Visit your friendssiblings who are fortunate enough to be attending the University of Rochester, R.I.T., St. John Fischer, or any of the other colleges/universities in the area.
8. To be continued... it is 10 pm and I need to get some sleep!