Eastman Dental Dispensary (Rochester)
The Eastman Dental Dispensary, built in 1917 by George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Company, contributed significantly to the improvement of dental hygiene in America and Europe, and was also one of the first schools in the United States licensed to train dental hygienists.
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The dispensary epitomized early 20th century American philanthropy in the form of significant funding from wealthy industrialists to improve the living conditions of those less fortunate. Along with Eastman, William Bausch and Henry Lomb of the Bausch and Lomb Optical Company provided large grants for the dental dispensary. The success as well as the design of this brick Italian Renaissance Style landmark inspired similar buildings in Stockholm, London, Rome, Paris and Brussels. Four of these five still function as originally intended. Also, dispensaries in New York, Chicago and other American cities were modeled after the one in Rochester.
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Rochester’s dispensary has been vacant for about twenty years, and it now faces the threat of demolition by its current owner to make way for a fast food restaurant and “big-box” store. The dispensary is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a designated local landmark. Its local landmark status requires the owner to obtain approval for its demolition, and the local preservation commission denied the permit. However, in response to this denial, the owner filed suit against the city under Article 78 of the state civil code, claiming the commission’s actions were arbitrary and capricious. The building is also threatened from “demolition by neglect.” |
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The future of this internationally significant building can and must be secured. Architectural studies show that the building can be effectively rehabilitated. At least four studies reported that the building retains all its structural integrity except for the roof. A sympathetic owner or developer needs to be found so that the Eastman Dental Dispensary will be protected from demolition and returned to active use. The Landmark Society of Western New York has been actively seeking a buyer for the dispensary and continues to advocate for its protection, but the building is still in peril.
Contact: Peter Siegrist, Director of Preservation Services, Landmark Society of Western New York, 716-546-7029 x.29