The Native American totem pole that was commissioned to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of Midtown Plaza, where it stood until 2008, now has a permanent new home, outdoors, at Monroe County’s Seneca Park Zoo.
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks joined zoo officials and other dignitaries at the zoo, 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester, this morning, to highlight the totem pole where it now stands proudly at the entrance to the Rocky Coasts exhibit.
“The Midtown Plaza totem pole is a cherished symbol of our community, and we are thrilled to now call the Seneca Park Zoo its new home,” Brooks said.
The totem pole was donated to the zoo from Midtown Rochester Properties.
“We hope that our residents and visitors to the area will make the effort to stop by the totem pole when they visit the zoo,” Brooks said.
The totem pole was carved out of a red cedar log in 1977 by two First Nations artists — Walter Harris and Art Stemt — of the Gitksan tribe from British Columbia, Canada. The totem pole references Rochester history using Gitskan clan symbols, including a beaver, the clan symbol of industriousness to represent Rochester industry.
The totem pole arrived at the zoo in January, after being prepared for its new life, including withstanding the elements outdoors.
“This will provide one more learning opportunity for our zoo visitors,” said Rachel Baker August, Executive Director of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. “The totem pole features representations of Rochester’s rich history and just as importantly, the impact native animals have on humans from all cultures. We feel extremely fortunate to have this magnificent addition on zoo grounds.”
Midtown, the first urban indoor mall in the U.S. when it opened in 1962, was closed in 2008 to make way for new development in downtown Rochester. It is expected to be demolished by later this year.
