G.H. Monroe was the son of Rochester photographer Myron H.
Monroe. He became a professional photographer in 1873 and spent
most of his career in Rochester NY, absenting himself in 1876-77
to run a studio in Leroy NY, west of the city.
In 1877, G.H. Monroe gave a series of instructions in
photography to George Eastman, then working as a bank clerk.
Eastman developed a dry plate process while associated with his
studio, and G.H. Monroe himself began to use these dry plates in
the making of his stereo views in 1879. He was perhaps the most
prolific maker of stereo views of Rochester. In 1880, G.H. Monroe
introduced a wide-deluxe stereo view. His efforts in later years
were in the manufacturing of photographic dry plates.

Bib. Ref. Fordyce, Robert Penn, "Stereo Photography in Rochester,
New York up to 1900", 1975

The 24 stereo views by G.H. Monroe at the Eastman House are
a rather unrelated lot of material, coming in one's and two's to
the collection from a variety of sources. There are 5 stereo
views of the Lake Ontario/ Charlotte area, and one exceptional
view of the Rochester Savings Bank as seen from the Four Corners
(81:7905:2). Also significant are several of the later "wide-
deluxe" views, including 2 of the Rochester Water Works at
Highland Park (79:1636:1 and 81:7905:7). There is also one view
of Alexandria Bay, a locale where G.H. Monroe first experimented
successfully with using the new dry plates. The collection
further includes 5 views of the Leroy NY area.

Provenance: Gifts to the Eastman House from many private
individuals.
 
 

Joseph R. Struble
Assistant Archivist
February 1999