For a $175 donation (or $300 for two), you will receive a custom crafted bookend 7in x 8in x 4in with a mounted plaque verifying that the brick on your bookend came from the old firehouse building at 713/715 Monroe Avenue. Built in 1895 and 1905, this building originally housed Engine Company No.5 and Hook & Ladder Co. No.4 and is now home to the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education. Help the arts by contributing and get a piece of history!
A clerk for the Rochester City Council reported on 19 March 1895 that the city had purchased land on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Wilcox Street for use by the Rochester Fire Department. That autumn, the city hired architect Frank A. Brockett to design a new firehouse at this location; Dominick Kraft built the structure. The Rochester City Directory first listed the fire company at Monroe Avenue in 1896 as the Hook and Ladder Company No. 4. In 1898, it was listed as the Truck Company No. 4.
After a number of disastrous fires in Rochester, including the Sibley fire of 1904 (considered the worst in Rochester's history), another firehouse was needed on Monroe Avenue. In September 1904, the architectural firm of Foote and Headley joined forces with a carpenter named W. F. Maas, and constructed another firehouse adjacent to Truck Company No. 4. This firehouse is listed in the 1905 Rochester Directory as Engine Company No. 15.
In 1953, the City Council's Public Safety Committee announced a plan to abandon and tear down the firehouses on Monroe Avenue. But unlike many aesthetically beautiful and historic buildings which did not survive the city's attempts at urban renewal, the firehouses on Monroe Avenue were never demolished.
The firehouses continued to serve the public safety until the early 1970's, when the entire building was purchased by Peter Hahn. In 1972, the 715 side was rented by McGovern headquarters and on May 20, 1972, the older 713 side was rented by the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education (then known as Genesee Street Corporation since it had originally been located on Genesee St.)
At that time, Genesee Center offered an eclectic variety of classes including photography and pottery through its program called Communiversity. That year, Genesee Pottery was established in the old horse barn. Other organizations also rented space in the building. Through an artist's generous and anonymous donation, the Genesee Center made the down payment to purchase the building in 1974.
During the 1970's and 1980's the building was known as the "Genesee Co-op" and was one of the anchors of a vibrant but struggling Monroe Avenue neighborhood. Communiversity continued expanding its classes and established Community Darkroom in 1977 in the old hay loft. The Genesee Center continued renting space not used by its programs to a variety of businesses and organizations including a woman-owned print shop, credit union, bookbindery, natural foods store, a vegetarian restaurant, a household goods store, among others.
In the mid-80's, Communiversity evolved into an arts focus and Genesee Pottery and Community Darkroom became the sole programs of the Genesee Center, having added community access to their studio facilities and exhibition programs. The Center made its final mortgage payment in 1985, and the firehouse became one of the few buildings on Monroe Ave that was owner-occupied. As some businesses left the building, the arts programs began occupying more space as the community enthusiastically embraced their programs.
Since the beginning, youth were served through regular classes but in the 1990's, several site-specific Urban Youth Programs were started. The Sunken Room Gallery was established in 1999 to showcase the work of area ceramic and photography artists. Today Monroe Avenue retains its eclectic ambiance but has re-established itself as a major corridor from downtown Rochester through Brighton and Pittsford. The goal is to dedicate our historic firehouse to arts and culture reflecting the diversity of our community.