Kurt Vonnegut’s visits to Rochester, NY, left an indelible mark, weaving his literary legacy into the fabric of the city’s history. In 1986, he appeared at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s convention, where he delivered his characteristic wit and a biting critique aimed at then-President Ronald Reagan. Before the event, Vonnegut signed books at Monroe Avenue’s Village Green Bookstore, a beloved literary institution that has since closed but remains warmly remembered by locals.
Nearly a decade later, in 1995, Vonnegut returned to Rochester as part of the Rochester Arts & Letters Distinguished Lecture Series, speaking at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church. His visit carried an added depth as he privately ventured to Mt. Hope Cemetery.
There, he honored his friend and fellow POW, Edward Crone Jr., a Brighton High School graduate and the inspiration for Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five. Both Crone and Vonnegut had endured the harrowing experiences of Dresden’s bombing during World War II, though Crone ultimately did not survive the war.
According to Dennis Carr, a local historian and cemetery guide, Vonnegut paid his respects at Crone’s gravesite, a poignant reminder of his late friend’s influence on his work.
In a 1995 Democrat and Chronicle interview, Vonnegut recalled Crone’s memory and how their shared experiences inspired Slaughterhouse-Five’s portrayal of Billy Pilgrim.
Following his Rochester lecture, Vonnegut mentioned the visit to Crone’s grave, a pilgrimage that had become a meaningful ritual. Fellow POW and Hobart College classmate Gifford Doxsee noted that Vonnegut arranged flowers for Crone’s grave each Memorial Day until Vonnegut died in 2007.
Vonnegut’s connection to New York’s upstate cities extended beyond Rochester to Schenectady, where he worked as a publicist for General Electric in the late 1940s. There, he served as a volunteer firefighter, connecting with the community while immersing himself in the world of technology and science.
His experiences in Schenectady inspired many of his novels, including Player Piano and Cat’s Cradle. These works often explore technology’s impact on society — a theme that developed as Vonnegut encountered the complex dynamics of innovation during his time at GE.
Schenectady’s influence on his life and writing is also reflected in his fictional town of Ilium, New York, which serves as the setting for many of his stories, including Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five.
Despite his sharp criticisms of American society, Vonnegut remains a beloved and widely respected figure in American literature, known for his humor, moral insights, and profound reflections on human nature.
He once remarked, “True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.”
This sentiment, with its characteristic blend of satire and seriousness, resonates with readers today, capturing the essence of Vonnegut’s worldview: one that both critiques and empathizes with the human condition.
For many in New York, Vonnegut’s works are more than stories; they are insightful commentaries that continue to shape conversations on technology, morality, and community.
His appearances in Rochester and his time spent in Schenectady underscore his connections to Upstate New York, providing a backdrop to his enduring influence on readers and writers alike.
Illustration: Kurt Vonnegut’s portrait/signature (courtesy Schenectady County Historical Society).
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