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George Eastman House

House Tour
Explore Eastman’s Colonial Revival home and grounds on this 45-minute general tour. Learn about Eastman’s life and work, his unique and beloved estate, and its use today as a national landmark and world-renowned museum of photography and film.

George Eastman - An American Inventor
Tour the Eastman House and discover how George Eastman (1854–1932) rose from modest beginnings to great accomplishments in photography, business, and philanthropy. Mr. Eastman led a life that illustrates the rewards of reading, hard work, perseverance, self-confidence, and a sense of responsibility to his community.

A Day in the Life of Maria Kilbourn Eastman
A visit to the newly restored bedroom/sitting room that once belonged to Maria K. Eastman, Mr. Eastman’s mother. Find out what it was like to be a lady at the turn of the 20th century. Students will examine life in the early 1900s by looking at artifacts.

Discovering the George Eastman in Me
George Eastman was one of the most important inventors, businessmen, and philanthropists of his era. His story transcends many areas of study— history, technology, language arts— but this examination also contains an opportunity to discover what his example can stand for today; to help students find 'the George Eastman in Me.'

This Educators' guide was assembled not just to explore the legend of one man’s achievements, but the characteristics and ideas he developed that contribued to who he was and how that changed his world— and ours.

Resources

• Discovering the George Eastman in Me- Student Activities for the Classroom
  Download George Eastman in Me Outside PDF
  Download George Eastman in Me Inside PDF

• George Eastman Legacy- Includes biography and an overview of the collection, house and gardens. Click on 'George Eastman: Life, Legacy, and Estate' for an historic timeline, virtual tours, an education packet, and a Rochester driving tour.
  www.eastmanhouse.org/legacy

• The Wizard of Photography by PBS- The story of George Eastman and how he transformed photography. Part of the American Experience series.
  www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eastman/index.html

• History of the Kodak company- Including sections 'George Eastman- the Man' and 'Milestones' from his era.
  www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/kodakHistory/

• The Brownie Camera- Find out more about the famous Brownie Camera.
  www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/brownieCam/index.shtml

• They Made America by PBS- Information on George Eastman as one of the nation’s inventors.
  www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/eastman_lo.html

Supported with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

George Eastman House & Archive

The following tours include a visit to the George Eastman Archive and Study Center, where students learn more about Mr. Eastman by looking at original artifacts from the collection.

George Eastman- The Outdoorsman
Mr. Eastman was an accomplished businessman but also needed time to relax. Mr. Eastman was a passionate outdoorsman, he traveled and loved to camp, fish, hunt, and play sports. Students will look at related artifacts and photographic documents.

African Americans and Mr. Eastman
Mr. Eastman felt a great sense of social responsibility and donated large sums of money to charitable causes. One such cause was the advancement of African Americans. Students will look at related artifacts and photographic documents.

Gallery Talks

Docent guided talks are available for all our photography exhibitions and designed to enhance students’ visual literacy. Students are encouraged to refine their viewing skills and discuss impressions and interpretations. Pre- and post-visit materials are available on request.

Gardens and Grounds
(May 1 through September 30)

Eastman’s gardens and grounds have been restored to their original beauty, reflecting Eastman’s love of horticulture and Rochester’s history as "The Flower City." A walking tour discusses the estate’s plantings and design.

Discovery Room Activities

For a fun and interactive experience, book one of our popular Discovery Sessions. These sessions are geared toward elementary and middle school levels, last 45 minutes, and can accommodate up to 25 students. Groups may reserve the Discovery Room for guided or self-guided use, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m.

Animation
Students will discover the phenomenon of "persistence of vision" and examine early devices to see how to make still pictures move using the illusion of motion. They may also try their hand at making their own drawings move.

'Sunprints' (Photograms)
Using light-sensitive paper and a handful of objects, students create their own sunprints— without the use of a camera! Students are welcome to bring small items to personalize their works of art.

Rates & Reservations

Program Rates:
Cost for school and youth groups varies: please contact the Visitor Services Department at (585) 271-3361 ext. 238 for rates. Three weeks advance reservation is required.

Groups without reservations are charged standard admission rates: free for members and children 4 and younger, $3 for children 5-12, $5 for students older than 12 (with valid ID), $6 for seniors, and $8 for adults.

Program Reservations

Groups can reserve up to two programs per visit. Each program lasts 45 minutes and can accommodate up to 25 students. Alternative offerings for larger groups are available upon request.

The Museum recommends that one adult chaperone for every ten high school students, and one adult chaperone for every five elementary students, accompany the group on their visit.

Groups that would like to schedule a docent-guided program must make a reservation at least four weeks in advance. This includes all Tours, Gallery Talks, Discovery Room Activities.

For reservation dates between April and June we strongly recommend calling by March 1st.

To book a tour, please contact the Visitor Services Department at (585) 271-3361 ext. 238 or e-mail jchard@geh.org.