It’s not an accident that 90% of the country’s cobblestone structures are located within 75 miles of Rochester. From cobblestones to picturesque cemeteries and stately red sandstone civic buildings to old mills, our area’s unique architectural heritage is, in part, a reflection of its singular geological history. Ancient shallow seas and more recent Ice Age glaciers have supplied local architects with a palette of materials and landscapes they have used to form communities over time, making buildings and public places an ongoing dialogue between the natural and human worlds. In this class, students will eavesdrop on that dialogue, linking some of the most treasured landmarks with the ancient geologic processes that made them possible and still continue to influence their preservation today.
