Dutch Connection 2024

Like a groundhog not seeing its shadow, the annual Dutch Connection display brings a bright reminder that spring is on its way. A favorite of thousands of visitors yearly, the Dutch Connection floral display offers a welcome reprieve from the doldrums of Rochester’s often harsh winter season.

Every year between 1905 and 1932, George Eastman ordered tens of thousands of bulbs from Holland. The orders were mostly for tulips, narcissus, and hyacinths for his gardens, and some for indoor forcing (tricking bulbs to bloom out of season). Eastman’s annual bulb orders were inspired by the flower fields he saw while bicycling through the countryside during a trip to Holland in 1895.

A nod to those original orders, the annual display features thousands of colorful tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, amaryllis, and spring annuals, filling the historic mansion. Tropical orchids, courtesy of the Genesee Regional Orchid Society, are displayed as well.

Take a piece of Dutch Connection home with you by purchasing a plant at the Dawn and Jacques Lipson Welcome Center. The sale runs throughout Dutch Connection.

Tickets 
Nonmembers are encouraged to purchase admission tickets in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at any point prior to visiting. 

Museum members and other guests receiving free admission do not need to purchase tickets in advance—just show your member card, military ID, or SNAP/EBT card at the Lipson Welcome Center when you arrive. 

Dutch Connection Bulb Sale
A variety of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and more are available for sale. 

When you visit the museum to see Dutch Connection, bulbs will be available for purchase by museum visitors during regular museum hours. (First come, first served; no pre-order available for onsite sale.)

Just for Kids Bulb Kit
We have a free Just for Kids Bulb Kit to take home in the sales area. Kits can be picked up by museum visitors onsite during regular museum hours. 

A kit includes: one bulb, soil, and a pot - at no cost! 

Once you get your kit, head online for a video tutorial on planting a bulb and other Dutch Connection related activities on our website at https://www.eastman.org/virtual-discovery-room.

Please share your bulb growing with us on social media @eastmanmuseum 

At-Home Activities
Escape the cold weather with these fun, family-friendly, activities inspired by the flowers in our Dutch Connection display! 

• Dutch Connection Video: How to Plant a Bulb
• PDF Instructions: How to Plant a Bulb
• GEM Kids Bulb Growth Chart: PreK Level 
• GEM Kids Bulb Growth Chart: Kindergarten to Third Grade Level
• Coloring Pages: Dutch Connection Flowers
• Blog Post: Advice on Growing Indoor Plants

Audio Tour
Landscape Manager Dan Bellavia goes behind the scenes of Dutch Connection, sharing its history and how it comes to life every year.

Videos
Check out some of our videos over the years made in relation to our Dutch Connection annual exhibition

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Special thanks to the Genesee Region Orchid Society, Inc. for their donation of orchids to the exhibit every year. 

Dutch Connection is generously supported by Gerald and Karen Kral and through the support of Michael Warren Thomas. 

In-kind support provided by Monroe County Parks Department and Pike’s Greenhouses, Avon, NY.