About

The George Eastman Museum is located in Rochester, New York, on the estate of George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film. Founded in 1947 as an independent nonprofit institution, it is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The museum holds unparalleled collections—encompassing several million objects—in the fields of photography, cinema, and photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated books. The institution is also a longtime leader in film preservation and photographic conservation.

There is always something new and different to engage, educate, or entertain you at the Eastman Museum:

• At all times, at least three temporary exhibitions on photography and cinema in the main exhibition galleries, the Project Gallery for contemporary works, the Collection Gallery, and on the second floor of the mansion
• George Eastman’s historic mansion and gardens, where one can see how this visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist lived for almost thirty years during the early twentieth century—one of only two National Historic Landmarks in Monroe County
• The beautiful 500-seat Dryden Theatre, which exhibits more than 300 different films every year and, as one of just a few venues in the world equipped to exhibit highly flammable nitrate film, hosts the annual Nitrate Picture Show—A Festival of Film Conservation
• The restored Terrace Garden, West Garden, and Rock Garden for quiet enjoyment
• Docent tours of the mansion, and gardens
• Frequent talks by in-house experts and visiting artists and scholars
• Music recitals in the mansion almost every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
• A leading library of literature on photography and cinema in the world, accessible by appointment

In addition to activities in Rochester, New York, Eastman Museum Los Angeles, a newly launched venture of the George Eastman Museum, was established in 2024 with the mission of contributing to arts, culture, and education in Los Angeles.

Primary activities include curating exhibitions, organizing public programming, and offering educational programs that explore photography, moving images, and related technology.

For more information, please visit eastmanla.org.

The George Eastman Museum is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is a member of the International Federation of Film Archives. 

The George Eastman Museum is supported with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.