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
THREE
Bill Davis, Pied Piper of the Genesee, by Lois Davis
“After that, the city took responsibility and renamed the fall event River Romance.”
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.”
BAKERY
Mr. Eastman Would Like to See You by Mike Calabrese
“My grandfather walked out, and George Eastman opened the car door.”
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
More than English by Chensheng Jiang
“However, one guy completely changed my thoughts. His name is Hassan and he comes from Somalia.”
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
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
Continue around the corner along University Ave to find poems like Hurry by Marie Howe.
Explore More
The Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester boasts a rich permanent collection and an impressive range of traveling exhibitions.
Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.
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.
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.
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Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
