Collection of Bills and Receipts, Circa 1808 - 1961

Summary

Abstract:
This is an artificial collection comprised of bills and receipts collected by the Rochester Public Library's Local History Division over several decades. The materials in the collection date between 1808 and 1971, and represent hundreds of Rochester businesses.
Extent:
3.125 Cubic Feet Three cartons and 2.51 Cubic Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Collection of Bills and Receipts. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of bills and receipts from diverse businesses and individuals in the greater Rochester, New York area. It is an artificial collection assembled to pull loose bills and receipts found loose in collection storage into an archival resource. The collection includes bills and receipts from hundreds of Rochester-area businesses, including such giants as Eastman Kodak, Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, and Rochester Gas and Electric. The materials in the collection date between 1808 and 1971.

Biographical / historical:

Rochester, New York has a rich business and industrial history. Founded in large part to exploit the rich waterpower potential of the falls of the Genesee River, Rochester's nicknames of Flour City, Flower City and Imaging Capital of the World trace the city's industrial evolution from flour milling to nurseries to optical, photographic and imaging technology. While these nicknames reflect industries that represented Rochester to the glope, other, diverse industries also made Rochester home. Western Union, National Postal Meter, French's Mustard and Fannie Farmer all began in Rochester, while heavier industries ranging from Pfaudler and General Railway Signal to a rich tradition of small precision machining companies added to the Rochester scene. At the same time, Rochester underwent a retail and service industry evolution reflective of changes found across the nation, from early local shopkeepers to great mid-20th Century department stores. This collection includes sample and representative bills and receipts from diverse Rochester businesses, industrial, retail and service, providing a window into the city's rich business and industrial history.

Acquisition information:
This collection originated as a vertical file held by the Rochester Public Library. The contents were accumulated over the course of several decades, from diverse sources, and detailed acquisition records were not maintained for each of the items in it.
Arrangement:

This collection consists of three boxes arranged as a single series.

Physical description:
Highly variable, from fair to excellent.
Dimensions:
Each carton is 12 x 15 x 10.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

Collection of Bills and Receipts. [box #,folder #]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org