Centennial Celebration

HISTORICAL PHOTO COLLECTION • MARCH 1951

Centennial Celebration (1851–1951)

Photographs documenting the 100th anniversary celebration of Taylor Instrument Companies: employee banquets, founder-era period costumes, historical exhibits, and service honors.

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A Century of Precision Instrumentation

In March 1951, Taylor Instrument Companies celebrated one hundred years of continuous operation in Rochester. The Ames Street plant was converted into an open exhibition center, featuring historical displays of early thermometers, company club honors, employee service milestones, and staff hostesses dressed in 1851 founder-era gowns.

Related milestone history: See the Presidential Timeline under Lewis B. Swift and Raymond E. Olson.

🔍 Help identify colleagues: Several hostesses, banquet guests, and exhibit staff remain unnamed. Click any photo with the amber Help Identify tag to leave a comment with their name or department.

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Exhibits & Reception Hall

The plant exhibition floor, founder-era hostesses, and company club retrospective displays.

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  Centennial Reception Committee (1951)
  Committee hostesses dressed in 1851 period gowns welcoming visitors at the Ames Street entrance.
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  Centennial Exhibition Hall (Wide View)
  Overview of the Ames Street plant floor, including registration tables and product exhibits.
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  Centennial Garden & Policy Exhibit
  Staged 1851–1951 garden trellis and bulletin display highlighting employee clubs and tenure statistics.
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  Employee Policy & Club Exhibit Board
  Detail of exhibit board honoring the Quarter Century Club (est. 1921) and Fellowship Club (est. 1918).
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  Information & Reception Desk
  Staff greeting guests in the main lobby beside historic instrument cases and milestone placards.
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  Centennial Cake & Refreshments
  Hostess in 1851 gown serving ice cream to a young guest in front of the multi-tiered 100th anniversary cake.

Workforce Service & Leadership Milestones

Tributes to veteran craftsmen and executive transitions during the 100-year milestone.

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  65 Years of Service — John Thompson & Raymond E. Olson
  Thermometer maker John Thompson (served 1884–1949) with VP Raymond E. Olson reviewing early plant prints.
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  Reflecting on Early Days (Executive Seal Display)
  VP Raymond E. Olson (left) beside two colleagues at the 1851–1951 Centennial seal and factory portrait.

Do you have family photos or memorabilia from the 1951 Centennial?

Many Rochester families saved banquet programs, commemorative ribbons, service pins, or snapshots from the March 1951 open house. We welcome scans to expand this collection:

✉ Submit Centennial Memorabilia → Search Alumni & Workforce Roster → ← Back to Photo Hub