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Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk

Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk and Poets Walk

The Poets Walk and Story Walk are interactive sidewalks along University Avenue and North Goodman Street, honoring poets and local authors as artists of the written word. They feature Rochester stories, memoirs, and family histories from community members. Below, I’ve featured a selection of ones that I have enjoyed. You’ll find the stories and poems on the Memorial Art Gallery’s website, where you can listen on-site or from the comfort of your home.

Story Walk

Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk Three

THREE

Bill Davis, Pied Piper of the Genesee, by Lois Davis

“After that, the city took responsibility and renamed the fall event River Romance.”

Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk Escape

GHOST

Love is a Myth by Elaina Stover

“Mine is not a typical love story; it is one part love, one part ghost, and proof that Rochester is more than it seems.”

Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk Bakery

BAKERY

Mr. Eastman Would Like to See You by Mike Calabrese

“My grandfather walked out, and George Eastman opened the car door.”

Breeze

BREEZE

A Great Gift by JiaXiao Li

“I learned from him that giving your warm hands to someone if you can, will make the world different.”

English

ENGLISH

More than English by Chensheng Jiang

“However, one guy completely changed my thoughts. His name is Hassan and he comes from Somalia.”

Temple

TEMPLE

The Temple by John Lovenheim

“Our dining room is where the Temple Bima (altar) was. I had my Bar Mitzvah in what is now my living room.”

Human

HUMAN

Lines Of Descent: A White Girl Discovers Her Black And Indian Roots by Celeste Schantz

“I do not feel like a member of a race. I feel like thread woven together in a pattern known by my name.”

Poets Walk

 Hurry Up Now Darling

Hurry

Continue around the corner along University Ave to find poems like Hurry by Marie Howe.

Explore More

Memorial Art Gallery

The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester boasts a rich permanent collection and an impressive range of traveling exhibitions.

Read more

Museums Around Rochester

Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.

Read more

Street Art: Exploring Rochester’s Murals & Graffiti

Rochester has a vibrant street art culture, with dozens of murals, graffiti, and other forms of public art on display throughout the region.

Read more

Which is your favorite story along the Memorial Art Gallery Story Walk?


I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Debi Bower, Day Trips Around Rochester NY

Debi Bower is the founder and creative director of daytrippingroc.com and author of the award-winning book Day Trips Around Rochester, New York.

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People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.

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Thank you!
Debi

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