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The Gandhi Institute is housed in Rochester’s Plymouth-Exchange neighborhood, between Flint and Magnolia streets. In 2007, the Institute moved to the Interfaith Chapel at the University of Rochester. Since 2012, we have been in our current home at 929 South Plymouth Avenue. 

Since moving to our S. Plymouth location, we have hosted hundreds of groups attending films, concerts, meetings, dialogues, training, and community service opportunities.

The House

The Gandhi House was an abandoned building for 17 years. It was lovingly restored by two friends and landlords of the Institute, David Knoll and David Skinner, along with their construction crew and a host of community helpers. The building provides space for 8-10 workers, a large community workshop space, a meditation room, and more. 

Community spaces on the first floor are wheelchair-friendly. Our workshop space is freely available to groups on a donation basis.

The house is maintained by staff and volunteers. To discourage violence against animals and the environment, we only eat vegetarian dishes in our space. This building and its history is a wonderful metaphor for our work. We are so grateful to be here and always welcome visitors.

The Garden

The house is adjacent to a ¾ acre lot which has been rehabilitated to serve as an urban agriculture project, a small playground, and a meditative green space available to the neighborhood. Check out our Garden page for more info!

The Labyrinth

Our Conflict Transformation Labyrinth was constructed in 2019 and is located beside the greenhouse. The design, created by Clare Wilson, comes from South Africa where it was used for reconciliation following Apartheid. The dual paths allow for multiple walkers and provide opportunity for conflict resolution as well as reflection and mindfulness practices.

Our labyrinth is a place where you can connect with nature, yourself, and others. It’s a place where you can be calm or silly, alone or with others. It can be walked in different ways depending on whether you’re seeking calm, fun, or respite from hardship. The possibilities are endless! To date, the labyrinth has been used by many neighbors, visitors, and school groups. It is accessible and open to all 24-7.

Murals & Artwork

We feel lucky to be the current home for many wonderful pieces of artwork. An assortment of community artists created murals around the Gandhi Institute’s outdoor spaces. These artists include Brittany Williams, Sarah Rutherford, and Paris Cockrell).

Inside the house, we have a collection of photos, paintings, drawings, mosaics, and quilts given to the Institute from various community members and groups. Check out this document to learn more about the art and artists that created each piece.