Rochester, New HampshireCommunity-built. Locally focused.

About the project

Built to help Rochester understand itself a little better.

Life in the Lilac City connects neighbors with local information, thoughtful conversation, and practical ways to participate in the community.

Life in the Lilac City Rochester logoThe original election-guide identity

A community, not a content mill

Local context makes all the difference.

Life in the Lilac City grew from a Rochester Facebook community into a broader public-information project. The goal is straightforward: make it easier to learn what is happening, understand local decisions, find useful resources, and have better conversations with neighbors.

The website complements the Facebook group. Social media remains useful for discussion; this site gives important information a permanent, organized home that is easier to search and revisit.

Visit the Facebook group

How we approach the work

Clear standards for a local resource

Accuracy first

Primary documents and original sources come before rumor, assumptions, or social-media repetition.

Independent and fair

The project is not an official city website and does not work on behalf of political candidates.

Written for residents

Information should make sense without requiring a background in municipal government.

AI disclosure

Technology assists the work. People remain responsible for it.

Artificial intelligence may help review public documents, organize research, summarize meeting transcripts, draft copy, or create supporting graphics. Important factual claims should be checked against source material before publication.

Corrections

See an error? Please say something.

The goal is to be accurate, not defensive. If something looks wrong or important context is missing, contact Life in the Lilac City through the Facebook community so it can be reviewed and corrected.

Start exploring

See what’s happening around Rochester.

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