What does the Rochester City Mark say about the Flower/Flour City?

By Matt DeTurck, Megan Mack, Julie Williams

Published June 30, 2026 at 2:07 PM EDT

1 of 2 — (foreground) Erich S. Lehman, (background) Nate Miller and Barbara Pierce with guest host Matt DeTurck on "Connections"

(foreground) Erich S. Lehman, (background) Nate Miller and Barbara Pierce with guest host Matt DeTurck on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Julie Williams / WXXI News

A smiling man with short grey hair and a grey mustache is wearing eyeglasses and a dark grey polo shirt and sitting in a living room.

2 of 2 — Lee Green

Lee Green

Provided

A smiling man sits in front of a microphone at a table in a radio talk studio: he is wearing a red baseball cap, a black short sleeved t-shirt with yellow lettering and a black short sleeved button down shirt with a red, yellow and green pattern. — Guest host Matt DeTurck on "Connections with Evan Dawson"

It's everywhere: from big city signs to the side of recycling bins to tattooed on people's bodies. The City Mark is one of Rochester's most recognizable symbols.

Designed during a time of great social change, the mark is rooted in Rochester's dual identity as the Flower/Flour City.

Now, 50 years after it was approved by City Council, what does the mark say about Rochester and the people who call this city home? Guest host Matt DeTurck leads a discussion about the history of the mark, its enduring legacy, and how it helps us tell Rochester's story.

Our guests:

Lee Green, first graphic designer for the city of Rochester, retired vice president of global design and branding for IBM, and originator of the City Mark
Erich S. Lehman, artist, designer, and curator of 1975 Gallery and WALL\THERAPY
Nate Miller, digital media specialist for the city of Rochester
Barbara Pierce, director of the Bureau of Communications and Special Events for the city of Rochester

For information on screenings of the documentary, click here.