George Eastman House and the Rochester community are commemorating throughout 2004 the 150th anniversary of George Eastman’s birth. The celebration will mark the impact Eastman — the father of popular photography and inventor of motion picture film — had on Rochester and the world.

The sesquicentennial celebration will acknowledge Eastman’s diverse and generous contributions, from establishing the area’s largest employer, Eastman Kodak Co., to supporting hundreds of charities and founding numerous organizations. The reality is that although Mr. Eastman had a big heart, he also had a keen business sense. And he knew that in order to attract educated scientists and business leaders to Kodak, he needed to create the best community in which to work, live, and raise a family.

And that’s just what he did, with Rochester receiving the bulk of the $100 million in charitable funds he donated during in his lifetime (close to $2 billion in today’s dollars).

Eastman set the stage in Rochester for a solid health care system and established parks, elevated education, and surrounded residents with music and art. Organizations that Eastman either founded or funded include the United Way, American Red Cross, University of Rochester, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Dental Dispensary, Eastman School of Music, and Hillside Children’s Center.

"George Eastman is celebrated each day at George Eastman House and we are spearheading the effort to make 2004 the year that the entire community can learn more about Mr. Eastman and how he made Rochester the successful, culturally rich, and the charitable city that it is today," said Kathy Connor, curator of the George Eastman Collection.

Order a copy of the documentary Beyond The Viewfinder:
George Eastman's Vision for Rochester
(Running time: 50 minutes, format: DVD-R)

Events marking George Eastman’s 150th anniversary:
(A list of events by organization name follows the chronological list)

• Opening Thursday, July 1: Display at Sibley Music Library of Eastman School of Music, 27 Gibbs St., celebrating Mr. Eastman's love of music and his involvement with the Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theatre. Through Aug. 31. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 274-1350.

• George Eastman Summer Concert Series at Genesee Country Village & Museum: Concerts are on Fridays at 7 p.m. on the Great Meadow. Admission is $5 per concert (free to children ages 3 and under) or $15 for the series. Series honors George Eastman’s 150th anniversary. For more information, please call (585) 538-6822 or visit www.gcv.org
  July 2: The Great Bear Trio and Flint Hill Folk, traditional music
  July 30: Excelsior Cornet Band, an authentic Civil War-era brass band
  Aug. 6: Pittsford Fire Department Band performs some of George Eastman’s favorite songs
  Aug. 27: Papa Joe’s Crawfish Stew Dixieland Band, hallmark Dixieland Jazz standards

• Friday, July 9 and Friday, July 23: Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, N.Y., where Eastman’s boyhood home is located, will pay tribute to Eastman’s sesquicentennial via its Victorian Dinner Theater series, new this summer. At 8 p.m. the Davis Opera House will host an original melodramatic tribute to George Eastman titled "The Young Mr. Eastman." This rousing play will be performed in the tradition of 1890s American theater. Tickets are $45 and include dinner in the specially decorated 19th-century Garden Pavilion Restaurant, complete with costumed interpreters, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required For more information, please call (585) (585) 538-6822 or visit www.gcv.org

• Saturday, July 10: Birthday party celebration at George Eastman House, 900 East Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities will include live music; Mr. Eastman’s home movies; special tours with Mr. Eastman’s housekeeper; stories in the house from the maid and butler; museum theater featuring Mr. Eastman and his mother; children’s activities; refreshments; and the popular lecture "Rochester Without George Eastman." Free admission sponsored by Preferred Care. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361.

• Saturday, July 10: Today George Eastman House unveils a George Eastman driving tour, featuring 24 locations throughout the city of Rochester that highlight Eastman’s goal to make Rochester the "best place to live, work, and raise a family." Included are sites funded or founded by Mr. Eastman, such as parks, universities, and healthcare and arts organizations. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242 or visit www.eastmanhouse.org/legacy

• Monday, July 12: In honor of Mr. Eastman’s actual birthday (July 12, 1854), Eastman School of Music will host an hour-long concert at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St., featuring faculty and student performers. Hosted by Vincent Lenti, Eastman School of Music historian. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 274-1100 or visit www.rochester.edu/eastman

• Monday, July 12: University of Rochester opens an exhibition on Mr. Eastman’s actual birthday (July 12, 1854). A yearlong exhibition at the Rush Rhees Library, located on Library Road off Elmwood Avenue, titled "Eastman’s Princely Bequests to Rochester: Music, Medicine, and Research," opens today and remains on view through July 12, 2005. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 275-4461.

• Sponsored by

  Wolf Ettinger and the Eastman House Council

  Opening Sept. 18: The sesquicentennial celebration at George Eastman House, 900 East Ave., will include a major exhibition titled "The Remarkable George Eastman: Vision & Obsession," on view Sept. 18, 2004 through Jan. 9, 2005. In the spotlight will be never-before-seen artifacts and little-known facts about Eastman’s personal and business life. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361.

• Thursday, Sept. 30: Center for Governmental Research lecture at 6:30 p.m. titled "George Eastman's Public Policy Legacy." It will explore Mr. Eastman's vision in creating the Center for Governmental Research (CGR), presented by Patricia K. Malgieri, CGR president and CEO. In the Curtis Theatre of George Eastman House, 900 East Ave. Included with museum admission. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242.

• Thursday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 9: Opening concert of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra 2004-2005 season. "David Diamond: Fanfare for George Eastman." World premiere of this original composition in honor of Mr. Eastman’s 150th anniversary, will be presented at the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St., Thursday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 9. Conducted by Christopher Seaman and also featuring Dukas’ "Sorcerer’s Apprentice," Rachmaninoff’s "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," and Berlioz’s "Symphonie Fantastique." For more information, please call the RPO Box Office at (585) 454-2100 or visit www.rpo.org

• Saturday, Oct. 16: Eastman School of Music world premiere concert at 8 p.m. in the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. George Eastman's 150th anniversary and his impact on Eastman School of Music will be recognized in remarks preceding a concert featuring the world premiere of a new work by Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning composer Dominick Argento (ESM alumnus). "Four Seascapes for Chorus and Orchestra," commissioned in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Sibley Music Library, will be performed by the Eastman-Rochester Chorus and the Eastman Philharmonia. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 274-1100 or visit www.rochester.edu/eastman

• Thursday, Oct. 28: Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., will present at lecture at 7 p.m. in the auditorium titled "George Eastman As a Collector." Nancy Norwood, Memorial Art Gallery curator of European art, and Betsy Brayer, George Eastman historian and biographer and Memorial Art Gallery docent, discuss George Eastman's vast art collection and American art collectors of the early 20th century. After the lecture, visitors are invited to take a brief tour of the galleries and see art from George Eastman's collection currently on view. Free with gallery admission ($2). For more information, please call (585) 473-7720 or visit mag.rochester.edu

• Sunday, Nov. 7: "Mr. Eastman's American Opera Company" is a lecture at 3 p.m. in the Curtis Theatre, presented by Bruce Klee, theater historian and former chairman of the SUNY Geneseo Department of Theatre. The American Opera Company was organized in 1923 by George Eastman, as the only opera company in the United States dedicated to the presentation of opera sung in English by American singers. Included with museum admission. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext 242.

• Historical markers will be installed in June at eight sites throughout the community to highlight Eastman’s influence on Rochester, in conjunction with walking and driving tours (American Red Cross, United Way, Eastman School of Music, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Friendly Home, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, and the Eastman Dental Center/Strong Memorial Hospital). For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242.

Events Listed by Organization

Center for Governmental Research
(Center for Governmental Research was established by George Eastman in 1915.)

• Thursday, Sept. 30: Center for Governmental Research lecture at 6:30 p.m. titled "George Eastman's Public Policy Legacy." It will explore Mr. Eastman's vision in creating the Center for Governmental Research (CGR), presented by Patricia K. Malgieri, CGR president and CEO. In the Curtis Theatre of George Eastman House, 900 East Ave. Included with museum admission. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242.

Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theatre
(Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theatre were founded by George Eastman in 1921.)

• Opening Thursday, July 1: Display at Sibley Music Library of Eastman School of Music, 27 Gibbs St., celebrating Mr. Eastman's love of music and his involvement with the Eastman School of Music and Eastman Theatre. Through Aug. 31. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 274-1350.

• Monday, July 12: In honor of Mr. Eastman’s actual birthday (July 12, 1854), Eastman School of Music will host an hour-long concert at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St., featuring faculty and student performers. Hosted by Vincent Lenti, Eastman School of Music historian. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 274-1100 or visit www.rochester.edu/eastman

• Saturday, Oct. 16: Eastman School of Music world premiere concert at 8 p.m. in the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. George Eastman's 150th anniversary and his impact on Eastman School of Music will be recognized in remarks preceding a concert featuring the world premiere of a new work by Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning composer Dominick Argento (ESM alumnus). "Four Seascapes for Chorus and Orchestra," commissioned in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Sibley Music Library, will be performed by the Eastman-Rochester Chorus and the Eastman Philharmonia. Free admission. For more information, Please call (585) 274-1100 or visit www.rochester.edu/eastman

• Sunday, Nov. 7: "Mr. Eastman's American Opera Company" is a lecture at 3 p.m. in the Curtis Theatre, presented by Bruce Klee, theatre historian and former chairman of the SUNY Geneseo Department of Theatre. The American Opera Company was organized in 1923 by George Eastman as the only opera company in the United States dedicated to the presentation of opera sung in English by American singers. The company performed at the Eastman Theatre and Kilbourn Hall, a well as across the country. Included with museum admission. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242.

George Eastman House
(The international museum of photography and film, a National Historic Landmark, was established on George Eastman’s estate in 1947. George Eastman resided in the Colonial Revival mansion from 1905 until his death in 1932. Today the museum fosters Mr. Eastman’s legacy through the restored home and gardens and a George Eastman Archive.)

• Saturday, July 10: Birthday party celebration at George Eastman House, 900 East Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities will include live music; Mr. Eastman’s home movies; special tours with Mr. Eastman’s housekeeper; stories in the house from the maid and butler; museum theater featuring Mr. Eastman and his mother; children’s activities; refreshments; and the popular lecture "Rochester Without George Eastman." Free admission sponsored by Preferred Care. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361

• Saturday, July 10: Today George Eastman House unveils a George Eastman driving tour, featuring 24 locations throughout the city of Rochester that highlight Eastman’s goal to make Rochester the "best place to live, work, and raise a family." Included are sites funded or founded by Mr. Eastman, such as parks, universities, and healthcare and arts organizations. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 242 or visit www.eastmanhouse.org/legacy

• Sponsored by

  Wolf Ettinger and the Eastman House Council

  Opening Sept. 18: The sesquicentennial celebration at George Eastman House, 900 East Ave., will include a major exhibition titled "The Remarkable George Eastman: Vision & Obsession," on view Sept. 18, 2004 through Jan. 9, 2005. In the spotlight will be never-before-seen artifacts and little-known facts about Eastman’s personal and business life. For more information, please call (585) 271-3361.

Genesee Country Village & Museum
(George Eastman’s boyhood home, where he lived until relocating to Rochester with his family at age 6, was moved from Waterville, N.Y. and today is located at Genesee Country Village & Museum.)

• Friday, July 9 and Friday, July 23: Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, N.Y., will pay tribute to Eastman’s sesquicentennial via its Victorian Dinner Theater series, new this summer. At 8 p.m. the Davis Opera House will host an original melodramatic tribute to George Eastman titled "The Young Mr. Eastman." This rousing play will be performed in the tradition of 1890s American theater. Tickets are $45 and include dinner in the specially decorated 19th-century Garden Pavilion Restaurant, complete with costumed interpreters, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required. For more information, please call (585) 538-6822 or visit www.gcv.org.

• George Eastman Summer Concert Series at Genesee Country Village & Museum: Concerts are on Fridays at 7 p.m. on the Great Meadow. Admission is $5 per concert (free to children ages 3 and under) or $15 for the series. The summer concert series is in honor of George Eastman’s 150th anniversary. For more information, please call (585) 538-6822 or visit www.gcv.org.
  July 2: The Great Bear Trio and Flint Hill Folk, traditional music
  July 30: Excelsior Cornet Band, an authentic Civil War-era brass band
  Aug. 6: Pittsford Fire Department Band performs some of George Eastman’s favorite songs.
  Aug. 27: Papa Joe’s Crawfish Stew Dixieland Band, hallmark Dixieland Jazz standards

Memorial Art Gallery
(George Eastman was a life member and bequeathed his art collection to the MAG.)

• Thursday, Oct. 28: Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., will present at lecture at 7 p.m. in the auditorium titled "George Eastman As a Collector." Nancy Norwood, Memorial Art Gallery curator of European art, and Betsy Brayer, George Eastman historian and biographer and Memorial Art Gallery docent, discuss George Eastman's vast art collection and American art collectors of the early 20th century. After the lecture, visitors are invited to take a brief tour of the galleries and see art from George Eastman's collection currently on view. Free with gallery admission ($2). For more information, please call (585) 473-7720 or visit mag.rochester.edu

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
(George Eastman established the first symphony orchestra in Rochester, today known as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.)

• Thursday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 9: Opening concert of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra 2004-2005 season. "David Diamond: Fanfare for George Eastman." World premiere of this original composition in honor of Mr. Eastman’s 150th anniversary, will be presented at the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St., Thursday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 9. Conducted by Christopher Seaman and also featuring Dukas’ "Sorcerer’s Apprentice," Rachmaninoff’s "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," and Berlioz’s "Symphonie Fantastique." For more information, please call the RPO Box Office at (585) 454-2100 or visit www.rpo.org

University of Rochester
(The University of Rochester was George Eastman’s greatest beneficiary. He gave as much as $46 million – close to $1 billion in today’s dollars – to the University of Rochester.)

• Monday, July 12: University of Rochester opens an exhibition on Mr. Eastman’s actual birthday (July 12, 1854). A yearlong exhibition at the Rush Rhees Library, located on Library Road off Elmwood Avenue, titled "Eastman’s Princely Bequests to Rochester: Music, Medicine, and Research," opens today and remains on view through July 12, 2005. Free admission. For more information, please call (585) 275-4461.

Additional anniversary sponsors: