Discovery Room
The George Eastman Museum offers many options for learning and exploring within the museum. The Donna Fielding Discovery Room is full of interactive, hands-on projects and devices to help you understand the principles behind photography and moving images. Rotating activities are always available and connected to our current exhibitions.
Visit the Discovery Room to make your own project to take home and remember your visit. Practice “reading a photograph” using a work of art and prompting questions. Pick out a book from our reading library to enjoy in a comfortable chair. And before you leave, don’t forget to visit the walk-in camera obscura to experience one of the earliest ways people explored light and image making.
Fun for all ages!
This summer, Discovery Room activities continue in the gardens:
Pollinator Count Science Project
Discovery Room At Home
Coloring Pages
Grab some pencils, crayons, and markers, and enjoy coloring objects from our collection!
Photography Activities
These activities are a fun, hands-on way to explore the basics of photography using objects you can find around your home.
Pre-Cinema Activities
These activities are designed to demystify the illusion of motion.
Historic Recipes
Ready to put your cooking skills to the test? Try making one of George Eastman's recipes from 1919!
- PDF: George Eastman's Camp Cookbook
- Video: How to make Eliza's Bread Pudding from George Eastman's Cookbook
- Article: Cooking by the Book: Making Eastman's Camp Recipes (Eliza's Bread Pudding & Rice Pudding)
- Article: Trying More Recipes from George Eastman's Camp Cookbook (Cheese Pudding & Onions Au Gratin)
Virtual Tours
Explore the museum from home with our virtual tours. Through the links below, you can access the historic mansion, see select behind-the-scenes areas, and tour the gardens in full bloom.
Storytime & Activities
Join us for activities and stories from George Eastman's historic library
- Snowflake Photography Fun: Book Recommendations and Snowflake Activity Video, and explore snowflake photographs in our collection
- Celebrating the Right to Vote: Book Recommendations, Suffrage Postcard Coloring Pages, and Virtual Tour of the History of Photography
- The Bluest of Blues: Anna Aktins and the First Books of Photography Activity
- A is for Applebiting Alligators Storytime and Activity
- George Eastman crossword puzzle, word search, and secret decorder
- Dutch Connection Activities:
- Video: How to Plant a Bulb
- PDF: How to Plant a Bulb
- Blog Post: Advice on Growing Indoor Plants
- Virtual 360 Tour: Dutch Connection 2021
- Crossword puzzle and word search