Special Collections

The “Book of Kells” is a Latin version of the New Testament, transcribed by Irish monks over 1,000 years ago. The original of the ancient manuscript, "The Book of Kells," is permanently housed in the library at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. The facsimile at Lavery Library is Number 765 of a limited edition of 1,480 books worldwide. It was purchased in 1991 as a gift to Fisher and the Rochester Community by Irish immigrants, Irish-American descendants, friends, and members of the Monroe County Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Auxiliary.

Access the Book of Kells

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass spent 25 years of his life (1847-1872) in Rochester, New York. This was his base as he published The North Star, Frederick Douglass' Paper, and Douglass' Monthly. He also published the newspaper The New National Era during his time in Washington, D.C.

Lavery Library is fortunate to have original copies of 147 of these enormously influential newspapers. The most important piece of this collection is the February 22, 1850 issue of The North Star. Douglass incorporated an intricate drawing of a slave running to the North Star in the masthead. Research has revealed that Lavery Library possesses one of the few known print copies of this special edition in the world.

The following newspapers have been digitized and are viewable on New York Heritage:

• The North Star
• Frederick Douglass' Paper
• Douglass' Monthly
• New National Era

Douglass News Inventory

George P. Decker (1861-1936) was a Rochester attorney active in Native American land claim cases. The “Decker Papers” collection contains documents written by Decker, legal transcripts and petitions, letters and other materials. During the three-decade span of his professional career, Decker represented the Onondaga, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Reservations. He also was involved in representing land claims by the Senecas and Cayugas in New York and Canada. Decker’s correspondence with Chief Deskaheh, Speaker of the Six Nations Council, concerns the League of Nations and the sovereign rights of indigenous peoples.

George P. Decker Collection on Fisher Digital Publications

The Library has several different anti-slavery or abolitionist newspapers, including 132 issues of the Anti-Slavery Standard, 10 issues of the New National Era, 11 issues of Radical Abolitions, and seven issues of Susan B. Anthony's The Revolution. See the Frederick Douglass Collection for additional abolitionist newspapers.

The following newspapers have been digitized and are viewable on New York Heritage:

• The Liberator
• African Repository and Colonial Journal
• The Anti-Slavery Reporter

This collection measures 31.85 cubic feet and documents the activities of Theodore C. Cazeau and his involvement with the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and later, the Sons of Union Veterans organizations, for which he was elected national commander-in-chief in 1929. The collection, which spans the years 1863 to 1935, includes correspondence, photographic material, printed material, manuscripts, clippings, textiles, and artifacts.

• Theodore C. Cazeau Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Collection Contents [pdf]

The Rochester Radio History Collection, contains historic equipment, photographs, and documents specific to the radio broadcasting industry in Rochester, New York, with a special emphasis on WHAM history and personalities. In addition to books and documents, audio is available of interviews with people in the areas of radio production, management, and on-air personalities. Audio is also available of radio shows and broadcasts.

Access the The Rochester Radio History Collection