Holiday happenings at Eastman House

Gingerbread house display Sweet Creations, a popular Rochester holiday tradition, opens Nov. 12

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — George Eastman House is your home for the holidays, from the popular gingerbread house exhibition and holiday musicales to family films and pancake breakfasts with Santa and St. Nicholas:

Sweet Creations: Gingerbread House Display
George Eastman House invites young and old to enjoy a feast for the eyes and nose — a display of 60 cleverly designed and decorated gingerbread houses. The Eastman House's 13th annual gingerbread house exhibition, Sweet Creations, is on view Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 17. This exhibition has become a favorite holiday tradition for families.

The gingerbread creations are produced by professional bakers, hobbyists, Scout troops, families, schools, and community groups. This season's clever confections, in addition to storybook cottages and traditional gingerbread houses, will include the Sydney Opera House and the White House at Christmastime. A treasure hunt is being created, involving the current entries, to provide additional entertainment for families and invite a closer look at the designs and details.

Most of the gingerbread houses will be sold via silent auction, with proceeds benefiting future restoration projects at Eastman House. The Sweet Creations display is organized by the Eastman House Council, under the direction of chairwomen Pam Rhoda of Pittsford and Mary Ann Giglio of Gates. The exhibition, which is included with museum admission, is supported by Tops Markets and Mapstone Financial Group. Proceeds from the exhibition will support the restoration of George Eastman's Aeolian pipe organ.

Holiday Decorations
The gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the historic 1905 home of George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Co. The Eastman House itself will be decorated for the season in turn-of-the-20th-century holiday style from mid-November to New Year's Day. Decorations include garland on the grand staircase; elaborately adorned fireplace mantels; a plethora of poinsettias; the formal dining room decorated for Christmas dinner; Christmas trees in every room (decorated by local businesses and organizations and sold via silent auction); and an old-fashioned tree encircled by an antique toy train in the Living Room.

Pancake Breakfasts with Santa Claus and St. Nicholas
At 10 a.m. on three consecutive Sundays — Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14 — guests will be treated to the tale of St. Nicholas, by the man himself in traditional attire, while enjoying a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and all the trimmings. Breakfast will be followed by a visit from Santa Claus, who will pose for family photos in the Living Room of the decorated historic house. Guests also will visit the popular gingerbread house exhibition (included with breakfast admission). Space is limited. Reservations are required and can be made at (585) 271-3361 ext. 249. Admission is $15 adults and $12 children. Sponsored by the Eastman House Council.

Holiday Musicales
Join us Sundays in November and December for live musicale performances, entertaining visitors just the way George Eastman used to. Performances in the decorated history house will include organ concerts in the Conservatory and performances in the Living Room. Included with museum admission. All concerts are 3 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 9 & 16: N. Pourmalek performs classical piano on George Eastman's Steinway
• Nov. 23: Students from Hochstein Music School presents "Vivace Violins"
• Nov. 30: Allen Hopkins performs train-related music
• Dec. 7: Kathy Wilkins performs holiday music
• Dec. 14: A performance by the Flute Association
• Dec. 21: Anyango Davenport performs violin with piano
• Dec. 28: Joe Blackburn performs on George Eastman's pipe organ

Disney Classics in the Dryden Theatre
Experience the enchantment of Disney classics on the Dryden Theatre big screen every Sunday, from Nov. 9 to Dec. 28: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Nov. 9), Pinocchio (Nov. 16), Dumbo (Nov. 23), Bambi (Nov. 30), Cinderella (Dec. 7), Alice in Wonderland (Dec. 14), Lady and the Tramp (Dec. 21), The Polar Express (Dec. 23), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Dec. 28). Each film is screened at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the exception of the Dec. 28 evening film screening at 5 p.m. For show times, visit holidays.eastmanhouse.org. Film admission: $7 general admission/$5 members and students.

New Year's Eve Double Feature!
The Dryden Theatre presents a New Year's Eve double feature: Easy Living (1937) and Remember The Night (1940), beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Advance tickets are available at the Dryden Theatre box office, museum admissions desk, or dryden.eastmanhouse.org. Film admission: $7 general admission/$5 members and students.

For More Information
For information on holiday events, visit holidays.eastmanhouse.org or call (585) 271-3361 ext. 218. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday until 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day) General museum admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors (60+); $6 students with ID; $4 children 5-12; and free for members and children 4 & under.

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