In “Anatomy of an Epidemic”, we delve into Rochester’s 1832 cholera outbreak, and contextualize the social, medical, and political aspects of the disease. We examine Rochester’s response to the epidemic, and relate it to epistemic questions about disease and public health that were preeminent in the 19th century.…

Aquaculture is the controlled breeding and farming of fish and aquatic plants. In this episode, we discuss the life and work of Seth Green, and how a local Rochesterian pioneered the modern practice of fish farming in the Genesee valley.

We cannot talk about the history of the Genesee River without talking about the history of the people who have lived along it. The Genesee Valley has been home to members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy — specifically the Seneca tribe — for centuries. However, popular narratives of Rochester history all too often mischaracterize Indigenous people …

Rochester was no stranger to the flooding of the Genesee River. Four devastating floods of note wreaked havoc in the first half of the 19th century alone. We will explore the historic floods that shattered Rochester and examine how disaster can bring a community together — or not.

In the Summer of 1972, the Mount Morris Dam stood between Rochester and Hurricane Agnes, one of the most devastating storms to ever hit the United States. The storm threatened to flood the Genesee River and send thousands of cubic yards of degree hurtling into the city. Despite the water almost overtopping the dam, the city was protected. We examin…

The Genesee River has experienced pollution since its first settlers arrived, but how has pollution changed over time? Through the lens of Eastman Kodak and the Genesee River, this episode will follow how chemical pollution can become a permanent member of the river’s chemistry, and how we can remediate that damage.…

The lake sturgeon is the oldest and largest native fish species in the Great Lakes for more than 10,000 years. Prior to European contact, indigenous tribes like the Haudenosaunee revered the lake sturgeon and hunted them responsibly. With the establishment of fisheries and the industrial revolution, European immigrants caught lake sturgeons in exce…

Ever taken a ride down the Genesee River? Hop aboard our Genesee River Cruise, and let’s go “Cruising the Genesee” to take a closer look at the physical history of the river, discovering ways in which it intersects with the human histories along its banks! Two experts help us understand the river’s physical formation, geologic erosion and so much m…

Walk with us around Rochester and talk about what does the future of biking look like for the city. What are some issues when it comes to biking now and what can we do to combat these problems. What can we look forwards in the Rochester 2034 Plan?

Join us as we examine the complicated history and surprising overlap between the 1970s, the environmentalist movement, and biking culture in Rochester!

Two words to describe our episode: CAR BAD. Sure, it’s funny to say, but the way that cars have affected our society — how we live, where we live, and how we get around — is way more significant than you may think.

“A living city cannot stand still.â€� This is a direct quote from Rochester’s 1911 City Plan, a plan that provides a modern vision for the city’s urban future. The plan shows the potential for a city to integrate multiple modes of transportation in harmony with the beauty of nature. What happened, and how did we end up where we are today? Lis…

Bike paths. Why are they, where they are, and who decided to put them there? And why are there just so many in Rochester? Did you know they used to be called Sidepaths? What’s the difference, and why the name change? Join Logan as we blast into the past where we meet Mary Raymond daughter of Charles Raymond the father of the sidepath movement to di…

We are kicking off Season 5 with a conversation about women’s liberation and relationship with cycling. Many famous Rochester women such as Susan B. Anthony, Francis E. Willard and May Bragdon became earnest advocates for the bicycle. Not only did women gain newfound mobility, but they adapted their lifestyle around this new technology.…

On a clear day in April, onlookers standing in Mt. Hope Cemetery were met with an astounding sight: Canada. This was the Rochester Mirage of 1871. Normally 400 feet below the horizon, the shore on the other side of Lake Ontario loomed closer than ever, with the lake itself seeming to have engulfed the northernmost half of our city. Or so the story …

Underneath the busy streets of Rochester sits the abandoned subway, a local hub for creativity and self expression; a space where concrete walls come to life in visceral color and motion. But where did it all begin? Join Hear UR in exploring the rich history of Rochester’s street art.

Ghost story or infamous legend, what’s the difference? If you’re from the greater Rochester area, there’s a good chance you have heard one of the many tales regarding the lady in white apparition that haunts Durand Eastman Park. Why do these stories persist through time? What do morphologies of urban legends suggest about the societies that engrain…

A local Rochester park with an unconventional history. What happened on these grounds between 1943 and 1945? Join us as we attempt to uncover the mysterious relationship between Rochesterians and these unlikely residents in Cobb's Hill Park during World War II.

Bottles and Bootleggers follows the exciting journey of smuggler Ben Kerr as he traverses the icy waters of lake Ontario during prohibition. He lands in Rochester, New York fueling Rochester’s alcohol craving. We investigate the ways alcohol is smuggled, how it's hidden and the ways it affects people. So, how far were Rochesterians willing to go to…

Why did we start drinking milk? The dairy industry created a prominent supply and demand for milk in our society, but it wasn’t always this way. Before modern milk health regulations, milk was not a common drink, and it was often rampant with disease and caused frequent health issues and infant deaths. The city of Rochester wasn’t immune to the dis…

Episode 304 - The Final Questions

Episode 303 - Barely Afloat

Episode 302 - Ferry Of Dreams

Episode 301 - A New Hope

Episode 208 - DeExtinction

Episode 207 - The Woman Who Married Adventure

Episode 206 - Lived By The Will

Episode 205 - Little Prisoner

Episode 204 - Behind The Glass

Episode 203 - Dinner With Jumbo

Episode 202 - The Silence of the Bison

Episode 201 - Extinction

Episode 107 - Invasion of the Sea Lamprey

Episode 106 - Barging Through The Conflict

Episode 105 - No Muskrat Love, Part 2

Episode 104 - No Muskrat Love, Part 1

Episode 103 - The Grain Reaper

Episode 102 - Canal Fever

Episode 101 - Bridging The Gap