RIT Team Captures MCH Bicentennial
Updated: 7 hours ago
The team from RIT’s Big Shot captured an iconic moment in the history of Monroe Community Hospital as it celebrated 200 years of service to the Finger Lakes area and beyond with residents, families, volunteers and staff on Sept. 14, 2026.
Students and staff from RIT joined volunteers from MCH to light up the historic facade of the skilled nursing facility, noted for its elaborate stone carvings and historic architecture, for a vibrant, multi-camera time-lapse panoramic image that included the launch of fireworks.
The fireworks were part of a yearlong Bicentennial Celebration sponsored by the MCH Foundation that also brought live entertainment from Uptown Groove, presented by the MCH Auxiliary and M&T Bank; a visit from Mittsy of the Rochester Red Wings; Chick-fil-A; Melt Food Truck & Catering; and a lively display by Young Explosives.
Other events commemorating MCH’s 200th anniversary include the Taste of Our Community on Friday, Oct. 2; a family-focused Boo-Centennial Spooktacular with candy, costumes and games for residents, staff and community members on Wednesday, Oct. 21; and a Bicentennial Reception in November.
The photograph was taken as part of the Big Shot’s community education and outreach initiative, “Shining the Light,” and is the only such project planned for 2026. The project places MCH, which opened its doors on Sept. 14, 1826, among a long line of local and global landmarks and historic sites photographed by the RIT Big Shot team.
Started in 1987, the project uses volunteers with flashlights providing the primary light source for an otherwise darkened subject while RIT photographers capture a dramatic image that shines brightly in the night.
“Having MCH captured through RIT’s ‘Shining the Light’ is a wonderful way to recognize our 200-year history,” said Alyssa Tallo, MCH Executive Health Director. “This photograph not only highlights the beauty and the history of our building but also represents the people who have called MCH home and the generations of staff, families, volunteers and community members who have been part of our story.”
The RIT team, which included Assistant Professor Eric Kunsman, worked closely with MCH Director of Communications Todd Clausen and about 50 volunteers to create a unique image celebrating MCH’s bicentennial.
While MCH’s focus has changed over the years, its mission of providing compassionate care to the area’s most vulnerable has not. Today, MCH is among the country’s largest providers of skilled nursing services, specializing in long-term care, rehabilitation, memory care, palliative care, pediatric care and ventilator care for a diverse population ranging from infants to centenarians.
To learn more about history of Monroe Community Hospital and view an interactive timeline, visit: monroehosp.org/timeline. For more information on RIT’s Big Shot, visit: rit.edu/bigshot.
About MCH
Monroe Community Hospital is a county-owned health care facility providing a comprehensive range of services for individuals with complex and chronic health conditions, including long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, hospice, memory care and specialty care. With 566 licensed beds, MCH is one of the largest skilled nursing facilities in the nation and traces its roots to 1826. For more information about MCH, please visit monroehosp.org.
