Henry Lomb Society pin

The Henry Lomb Society (1916-1936) was created in 1916 to recognize students of the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute who excelled in "scholarship, personality, [and] service to the school." The first class of eighteen members was inducted in 1916 in the assembly hall of the Eastman building where it was announced that each member would be awarded a pin designed by the fine arts department. Although the original members were selected from the senior class, alumni who performed "notable work" could be chosen for membership up to three years after graduation.

The Society was named for Captain Henry Lomb (1828-1908), co-founder of Bausch & Lomb. Although Lomb emigrated from Germany in 1849, he chose to serve in the U.S. Civil War in 1861 with the New York State Volunteers. His dedication and performance earned him the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and ultimately Captain. Following the war, Lomb returned to Rochester, NY where he took an active interest in supporting the city. For instance, he helped organize and finance the Rochester Public Health Association. In 1885, Lomb co-founded the Mechanics Institute, which ultimately became the Rochester Institute of Technology. He died in 1908 and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

In 1933 it was decided that the Henry Lomb Society would stop acting as an independent entity and be absorbed by the Mechanics Institute administration. To that end, the constitution was suspended and all activities were turned over to the administration. At a meeting on March 28, 1936, the Mechanics Institute's Policy Committee decided that the Society should be abolished altogether. The Society's activities were gradually lessened and publicity for the organization ceased.