Eastman Dental Dispensary
Why it's listed
Built in 1917 at 800 East Main Street in Rochester, this dental clinic was founded by George Eastman to treat children, especially those under 16 who could not pay for private care. Designed by Gordon, Madden and Kaelber in an Italian Renaissance manner, it has rough tapestry brick walls, white Venetian marble trim, an arcaded portico, and a Travertine marble lobby. The children's waiting room is its best-known feature, with oak paneling, animal carvings and a Mother Goose mural by Clifford Ulp. The dispensary opened the first school in the United States licensed to train dental hygienists, in 1916, and helped lead to standardized filling practices. Its model was later copied in five European cities. The dispensary left the building in 1978 for the University of Rochester campus, and the building stood vacant. A 1964 rear addition is considered non-contributing. Plans called for rehabilitation as offices.
Significance in brief: The building is a fine example of Italian Renaissance design adapted to an American setting. The institution, established by George Eastman, advanced dental hygiene programs, the training of hygienists and dentists, and the standardization of dental equipment and filling procedures. It also improved the dental health of Rochester's poor children and reflects early twentieth century industrialist philanthropy.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001708, listed April 28, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 800 E. Main St., Rochester |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | April 28, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001708 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1917 |
| Architect / builder | Gordon, Madden and Kaelber |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since 1978, when the dispensary moved to the University of Rochester campus; the form says it is soon to be rehabilitated as an office building as a tax incentive project. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | East Avenue Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.16071, -77.59136 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001708.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5330781
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.