fbpx From the Director | George Eastman Museum

There will be no screenings of Three City Symphonies from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, due to a private event in 7Crest Financial Partners Hall. Screenings will resume at 1 p.m. after the event concludes. We apologize for any inconvenience.

From the Director

Dr. Bruce Barnes in the West Garden

Director's Welcome


The George Eastman Museum is an international treasure. Our collections of photography and cinema are among the best in the world. Our collection of cameras and related technology is matched by none. The museum—founded more than seventy years ago as George Eastman House—is located in Rochester, New York, on the National Historic Landmark estate of entrepreneur and philanthropist George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography and a leader in the development of motion picture film.

The Eastman Museum is actively building our collections, with an emphasis on photographic and moving image works by contemporary artists from many cultures to complement our great strength in works from the past. We are committed to the preservation of our collections and of George Eastman’s mansion and gardens. Over a period of several years, we have been undertaking a series of projects to restore parts of the mansion.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Eastman Museum is our dynamic and wide-ranging exhibition program. Each year, we present at least seven new exhibitions: major shows in our main galleries, spanning the entire histories of photography and cinema; contemporary photographic or moving image artworks in our Project Gallery; selections from our collection in our History of Photography Gallery; and exhibits about photographic technology or George Eastman, in the historic mansion. If you have not visited the museum in six months, you are guaranteed to see several new exhibitions on your next visit.

The Dryden Theatre exhibits at least five different motion pictures each week—often films that cannot be seen anywhere else—ranging from silents with live musical accompaniment, classic Hollywood pictures, and past blockbusters to rarely shown independent, foreign, or experimental films. We also host special appearances from actors, filmmakers, photographers, and other artists, as well as talks by curators and scholars. There is something to engage or entertain every taste.

The historic mansion and gardens offer a variety of delights throughout the year. Join us for a live musical performance in the mansion any Sunday afternoon. Stroll through the gardens and enjoy the change of seasons. Celebrate the holiday season with our Sweet Creations gingerbread houses, escape from winter with our Dutch Connection flower show in February, and in May, marvel at the creatively themed tabletop displays and lush floral arrangements of Eastman Entertains.

The George Eastman Museum is an extraordinary institution. Our staff and trustees are deeply grateful to our members and other donors who support our mission. We hope that you will join us and explore all the museum has to offer. We invite you to come back—again and again—and see what’s new.

Sincerely,
Bruce Barnes signature
Bruce Barnes, PhD
Ron and Donna Fielding Director
George Eastman Museum

 

Director's Notes


Director's Note, Mansion | Elevating Accessibility

One of the key priorities for the George Eastman Museum is the accessibility of our historic mansion...
Jun 27, 2025 - 3 minutes

Director's Note | Humpty Dumpty

Over the past twelve years, federal and state grants have played a critical role in many quantum...
May 06, 2025 - 4 minutes

Director's Note | Sustainable Progress

The George Eastman Museum, including offsite storage, encompasses more than 120,000 square feet. As...
Mar 04, 2025 - 3 minutes

Director's Note | Eastman Museum in Los Angeles

The George Eastman Museum is the only museum primarily dedicated to photography and the moving image...
Jan 01, 2025 - 3 minutes

Director's Note | Our Multifaceted Diamond

This November 9 is the 75th anniversary of opening our museum to the public. Since inception, the...
Nov 01, 2024 - 3 minutes