Gonechester

Presentations

If you represent a library, historical society or other facility where educational presentations are given, please reach out to me! I have given over a dozen in-person presentations, and am constantly working on them to provide an interesting informational and visual experience about lost Rochester history.

I do not charge a speaking fee at present, but will accept an honorarium for my time if it is offered.

Unless otherwise indicated, presentations are slideshow presentations, requiring a screen or projector with HDMI or USB connection. Presentations are given in English. I will happily use whatever amplification or hearing assistance devices are available on-site.

Contact:
✉ eMail: GZeiner@gmail.com

Currently available Gonechester presentations are:

A Walk Through a Disappeared Downtown
Description: This slideshow presentation takes the viewer on a visual tour of Main Street starting at the corner of State Street down to Front Street and back, while discussing the history of buildings that are no longer there. Numerous photographs, illustrations, advertisements and articles show the buildings that once were, the businesses which once operated within them, and the people who made it all possible.
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

Crossing the Main Street Bridge
Description: This slideshow presentation takes the viewer across the Main Street bridge over the Genesee River, unique for being built up with buildings on both sides. Through numerous photographs, illustrations, advertisements, and articles, we will see what caused this bridge’s unique development; what buildings were built along the bridge, the businesses within, and what caused the buildings to finally be cleared away.
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

Forgotten Waters
Description: This slideshow presentation surveys buried or forgotten waters in Rochester’s history, from the Indian Spring that fed Rochesterville’s earliest settlement; to Thomas Creek, Grass Creek, and Deep Hollow Creek; among others. Numerous photographs, illustrations, advertisements, and articles are employed to give a whole, visually-rich picture of these lost hydrological pieces of history.
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

Landmarks, Libraries, and a Legacy
Description: Originally presented for the 20th anniversary of the Pittsford Community Library building, this presentation follows the history of Pittsford Community Library and historical buildings that were once on its site, as well as a number of other historical curiosities about Pittsford. This presentation has a number of intriguing topics for people from Pittsford, interested in Pittsford, or generally interested in local history.
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

From Nurseries to Neighborhoods: History of the East Main-Culver Area
Description: Created for the Rochester Public Library, this presentation examines the area near the intersection of East Main and Culver, annexed former Brighton land, from its history as nursery lands to its present day as residential neighborhoods, and some of the noteworthy people who called this place home.
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

Lost in Highland Park
Description: Created for the Highland Park Conservancy, this presentation visits houses, greenhouses, and varied other structures that once stood in Highland Park. Learn about the foremen and gatekeepers that dwelt in long-demolished homes and worked in vanished herbaria; even visit some interesting plants of yesteryear!
Length: 1 Hour, plus optional Q&A.

Recorded Presentations

A couple of my presentations have been recorded for distribution on YouTube. Note that these presentations are constantly changing, and it’s likely that the content may have changed from the time of recording.