GEM is a museum that honors the life and legacy of George Eastman, known as the father of modern photography. It is the world’s oldest photography museum, boasting a vast collection of over 400,000 photographic objects and 28,000 moving image titles. Visitors can explore Eastman’s unique home, the museum’s permanent collections, and temporary exhibitions. The 500-seat Dryden Theatre offers film screenings in their original format on most evenings.
Signature Events
Dutch Connection 2025
February 7–23
Experience the beauty and fragrance of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other flowering bulbs throughout the mansion. This colorful display is a welcome contrast to the monotony of winter.
Holidays at the Museum
The George Eastman Museum is the perfect place to enjoy the holiday season. Along with the Sweet Creations Gingerbread Display, the wreath and tabletop tree displays, and Holiday Homecoming, GEM’s Dryden Theatre shows a variety of holiday-themed films like Miracle on 34th Street, Scrooge, Die Hard 2, Home Alone, and Meet Me in St. Louis.
Eastman Museum and Mansion
George Eastman’s Estate Gardens
Appreciate a range of colors that begin with luxurious purple wisteria in May and end with bold yellow ginkgo leaves in November. While museum admission is necessary to walk through the Italianate Terrace and Library Gardens, the West and Rock Gardens are open to the public year-round. Every February, the annual Dutch Connection event showcases a range of colorful and fragrant tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and more throughout the home.
Visitor Entrance
As you stroll from the parking lot to the entrance, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking Colorama. Several years ago, the museum underwent significant renovations, including relocating the main entrance closer to the parking lot, revamping the gallery, gift shop, Open Face restaurant and seating, and the hall that connects the entrance to the mansion.
George Eastman’s Mansion
It’s incredible how much the building encompasses! There’s a photo gallery featuring rotating exhibits from the museum’s collection, a display showcasing the history of photography and the Eastman Kodak Company, a movie theater, a preserved home from Eastman’s era, and a massive pipe organ.
Throughout the year, Eastman holds various events that reflect its tradition and past, such as Dutch Connection, Sweet Creations, Eastman Entertains, Manhattan Wednesday, and the Oscar Gala Premier.
Dryden Theatre
The George Eastman Museum’s 500-seat Dryden Theatre offers a wonderful opportunity to watch a variety of cinematic productions nearly every night. You can witness moving pictures from their massive collection of over 28,000 titles, including nitrate films, covering the entire history of international cinema in their original format.
More information about the George Eastman Museum
Cost: Admission Fee
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More information: eastman.org
Eastman’s Childhood Home
You can visit Eastman’s childhood home, which was relocated from Waterville to the Eastman Mansion on East Avenue, and finally to the Genesee Country Village and Museum. According to the museum’s website regarding George Eastman’s Boyhood Home, “Eastman’s father, who had been a nurseryman in Waterville, moved the family to Rochester, where he founded a business school. None of the home’s current furnishings belonged to the Eastmans, but have been selected to demonstrate the comfortable circumstances the family enjoyed while living in Waterville.”
Explore More
Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.
Rochester evolved from the Flower City to the Image City when Eastman invented a way for the masses to capture everyday moments on film.
Eastman Theatre is the primary performance space for Eastman School of Music students, home of the RPO, and host for world-renowned performances.
A perfect day in Rochester would include a visit to one of its world-class museums, spending time in its exceptional parks, and seeing both High Falls and Lake Ontario.
These carefully designed gardens, often cultivated for decades or even centuries, display exceptional collections of flowers and trees.
60 Day Trips within 30 Minutes of Rochester
Sometimes you just need a fun, spontaneous adventure or quick getaway to refresh your day. Try one of these day trips within 30 minutes of Rochester.
Where is your favorite time to visit the George Eastman Museum?
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Enjoy the Journey Together!
Am hoping to go to the Dutch connection.
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