About George Eastman Museum
Founded in 1947, the George Eastman Museum is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the largest film archives in the United States, located on the historic Rochester estate of entrepreneur and philanthropist George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography. Its holdings comprise more than 450,000 photographs, 31,000 motion picture films, the world’s preeminent collection of photographic and cinematographic technology, one of the leading libraries of books related to photography and cinema, and extensive holdings of documents and other objects related to George Eastman. As a research and teaching institution, the Eastman Museum has an active publishing program, and its L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation’s graduate program (a collaboration with the University of Rochester) makes critical contributions to film preservation. 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.
Current Press Releases
Bronze sculpture honoring Philip Seymour Hoffman to be unveiled May 28 at George Eastman Museum
The legacy of actor/director/producer Philip Seymour Hoffman is a point of pride for those in his hometown, who will soon be able to enjoy a memorial erected in his honor at George Eastman Museum, outdoors near the Dryden Theatre. On Saturday, May 28, a bronze life-size sculpture will be unveiled that depicts Hoffman appearing to be walking toward the movie theater.
The Nitrate Picture Show returns June 2–5, 2022
The George Eastman Museum will present the 6th Nitrate Picture Show from June 2 to 5, 2022, at the Dryden Theatre in Rochester, NY. The Nitrate Picture Show, the world’s only festival of film conservation, returns after a two-year hiatus for the sixth edition with a new lineup of nitrate prints on screen, the Nitrate Touch workshop, and two concerts on Thursday, June 2: the first on the George Eastman’s grand piano and the second on the Eastman’s Aeolian pipe organ.
George Eastman Museum to present benefit film screening in solidarity with the people of Ukraine on April 3
The George Eastman Museum will present a benefit film screening on Sunday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. In Spring (Navesni; Vesnoi, Mikhail Kaufman, USSR [Ukraine] 1929, 65 min., 35mm) is a seminal work of Ukrainian cinema as well as a hymn to the miracle of life. The fact that it was filmed in and around Kyiv makes it particularly poignant today. The silent film was directed by filmmaker Mikhail Kaufman and will be accompanied by Dr. Philip C. Carli on piano.
George Eastman Museum appoints Phil Taylor as curator in its Department of Photography
The George Eastman Museum has appointed Phil Taylor as an assistant curator in its Department of Photography. He will be based primarily in New York City. His role will include participating in collection development, curating exhibitions at the Eastman Museum in Rochester, and authoring or contributing to accompanying publications and other scholarly books.
Graham Nash to visit Eastman House; to be named George Eastman Honorary Scholar
Witness history as photographer and musician Graham Nash receives the title of George Eastman Honorary Scholar, and discusses his career and the Taking Aim exhibition, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 in the Dryden Theatre.
University of Rochester and George Eastman House Announce Collaborative Alliance
The University of Rochester and George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, the world’s preeminent museum of imaging, have entered into an alliance to further public engagement, research and education in the arts and sciences, with a focus on the museum’s photography and motion-picture collections. This will be the most extensive museum and university alliance of this type in existence.
Dryden Theatre welcomes Oscar®-winning filmmaker Robin Lehman Friday, Dec. 10
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will host Rochester-based filmmaker and two-time Oscar® winner Robin Lehman at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. Screening that evening will be three of Lehman’s thought-provoking films, featuring the pure, wordless cinema of his celebrated short films, his signature cinematography, and his moving and humor-filled documentary Forever Young. Lehman will introduce the films and talk with the audience following the screenings.
Chautauqua, Kodak and Eastman House present history-making week on photography
Chautauqua Institution is partnering with Eastman Kodak Company and George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film for a week unlike any other offered in the Institution’s history — exploring the world of photography with world-renowned speakers, interactive exhibits and activities, and an onsite social media center designed to share the experience with the world.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the films of Cary Grant
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will present a series of six films in July and August starring Cary Grant, whose name remains synonymous with the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The Dryden series, titled “Cary Grant Comedies,” showcases some of his most famous screwball comedies alongside leading ladies Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Sophia Loren.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Kurosawa
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House is showcasing the films of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), one of cinema’s most recognized directors, with a retrospective in August titled “Akira Kurosawa Centennial.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of Kurosawa’s birth and the Dryden is celebrating by screening six of his popular and lesser-known titles.
George Eastman House welcomes filmmaker Ken Burns and his writing partner Geoffrey C. Ward Friday, Aug. 13
George Eastman House welcomes back filmmaker Ken Burns, along with his long-time writing partner Geoffrey C. Ward, for an intimate talk on the Dryden Theatre stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13. “An Evening with Ken Burns & Geoffrey C. Ward” will offer an insider’s look at their artistic approaches and processes, as they talk about advancing an idea into an award-winning film. Burns and Ward each will receive the George Eastman Medal of Honor.
George Eastman House acquires Kodak’s Colorama archive
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Kodak Colorama — the gigantic panoramic images that dominated Grand Central Terminal for 40 years, from 1950 to 1990 — with an international touring exhibition titled Colorama debuting June 19, on view at Eastman House through Oct. 17, 2010. At the same time, Eastman House is announcing Eastman Kodak Company has donated its Colorama archive to the museum.
From daguerreotypes to digital photo albums — photography workshops return to Eastman House
After a decade of training the world’s top photograph conservators via a dedicated post-graduate fellowship program, George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film announces it is again offering Photography Workshops to the public, of varying levels of interest and expertise — photographers, curators, educators, artists, or those interested in the art form.
George Eastman House acquires Merchant Ivory collection
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film announces one of the most important acquisitions in its 61-year history — the collection of Merchant Ivory Productions. This collection of 2,600 elements includes more than 40 film titles, such as Oscar®-winners A Room With a View (1986) and Howards End (1992) and Oscar® nominees such as The Remains of the Day (1993), Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990), and The Bostonians (1984).
Technicolor Donates Archive to George Eastman House
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film today announced a major gift to the museum — the historic archive of Technicolor dating from 1915 to 1974. The donation includes rare cameras, documents and drawings, photographs, printers and processing machines, corporate records, and other important materials that represent the history of Technicolor’s groundbreaking contributions to motion pictures. This collection joins the Eastman House’s current Technicolor holdings of early research papers, technology, and the world’s largest collection of Technicolor camera negatives, including The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind.
George Eastman House names new curator of motion pictures
Dr. Caroline Frick Page has been named curator of motion pictures at George House International Museum of Photography and Film, the third largest film archive in the United States. Assuming her position on March 1, she is the sixth curator of motion pictures in the museum’s 61-year history. She has previously worked in film preservation at Warner Bros., Library of Congress, and the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
George Eastman House celebrates Academy Awards® Sunday, March 7
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film will celebrate the 82nd Academy Awards® on Sunday, March 7 with its 14th annual movie-themed Oscars® party — at the home of the father of motion picture film, George Eastman.
Eastman House announces $100,000 Fielding Challenge
George Eastman House announces a $100,000 challenge for 2010, offered by long-time friends Ron and Donna Fielding. Donations made to the museum this year will be matched dollar for dollar. The Fielding Challenge -- being promoted with the tagline “Help us Do A Double-Take” -- is active for every new and increased unrestricted gift made to Eastman House this year, including becoming a member and upgrading membership to a new level.
George Eastman House presents contemporary work of Roger Ballen Feb. 27 - June 6
This winter George Eastman House presents an exhibition of photographs by contemporary, and often controversial, artist Roger Ballen. The 74 black-and-white images of this mini-retrospective, titled Roger Ballen: Photographs 1982-2009, will be on display Feb. 27-June 6, 2010. Eastman House will travel the exhibition worldwide following its Rochester run.
Eastman House celebrates film noir with Dryden series and a talk with mystery writer Charles Benoit
Benoit is the author of mystery novels Out of Order Noble Lies, and Relative Danger, the latter named “Best Mystery/Suspense Book of the Year” by the Independent Publishers Association, and a nominee for an Edgar Allen Poe Award, regarded as the “Oscar®” for mystery writers. Out of Order has also received acclaim and recognition, with The Denver Post noting, “It’s the kind of book Alfred Hitchcock would have filmed.”
Dryden Theatre welcomes Oscar®-winning filmmaker Robin Lehman Saturday, Jan. 30
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House will host Rochester-based filmmaker and two-time Oscar® winner Robin Lehman at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Screening that evening will be Lehman’s two Academy Award®-winning shorts, Don’t and End of the Game, as well as his Oscar®-nominated short Nightlife. Lehman will introduce the films and talk with the audience following the screenings.
Dryden Theatre celebrates the films of DeNiro and Scorsese
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on the filmmaking relationship between powerhouse actor Robert DeNiro and celebrated director Martin Scorsese, with a film series in January and February titled Eight Portraits of the Obsessive: The films of Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese.
Dryden presents Black Dynamite Jan. 2 & 3
\The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House presents a Rochester exclusive screening of Black Dynamite, a gut-busting spoof of 1970s blaxploitation movies, and low-budget movies in general. The film has been heralded as one of the funniest movies of 2009.
George Eastman House presents vintage jewelry trunk show Dec. 3–5; proceeds benefit museum
An exhibition and sale of vintage jewelry — including 19th-century photographic items — will highlight three days of events at George Eastman House, offering a chance to own a glamorous piece of history while supporting the museum. This benefit event —featuring the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection of costume jewelry, which you’ve seen in films such as The Devil Wears Prada, Chicago, and Grey Gardens — will take place Dec. 3 through 5 and includes a preview party and lecture.
Dryden Theatre welcomes filmmaker Bob Byington and actor Kevin Corrigan Friday, Dec. 4
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House welcomes writer/director Bob Byington, who will introduce his debut feature film Harmony and Me at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and talk with the audience following the screening. One of the film’s actors, Kevin Corrigan (Grounded for Life, Goodfellas, Pineapple Express), also will appear in person that evening and take part in the discussion.
George Eastman House Camera book illustrates history of photography from daguerreotype to digital
For the first time in the two centuries of photographic history, a book has been produced that celebrates both the camera and the art of the photograph — displaying images alongside the cameras that created them. George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film launches this month Camera: The History of Photography from Daguerreotype to Digital (Sterling Innovation, 2009, 368 pp., $45). The world’s oldest museum of photography, Eastman House is home to a number of world-class collections, including the world’s largest collection of camera technology.
George Eastman House presents Sixtieth Anniversary Portfolio
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film is commemorating its 60th anniversary in 2009 with a deluxe portfolio of 12 photographs created by celebrated international artists. A limited edition of 25 Sixtieth Anniversary Portfolios is being sold to collectors and institutions.
Dryden Theatre welcomes filmmakers Andrew Bujalski and Bob Byington and three Mumblecore movies
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House welcomes in November and December two filmmakers involved in a relatively new movement in independent cinema known as “Mumblecore,” in addition to several exclusive screenings.
Dryden Theatre sings and dances with Minnelli’s MGM Musicals
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House presents a rollicking series of films this November and December — MINNELLI’S MGM MUSICALS. The featured films of Oscar®-winning director Vincente Minnelli star Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Lena Horne, Judy Holliday, and Dean Martin, among many others. The films in the series are all from the archives of George Eastman House — which holds the world’s largest collection of Technicolor films.
Dryden Theatre presents the ’80s films of John Hughes
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House is “Remembering John Hughes” by screening seven of his most popular films every Wednesday in November through mid-December. From teenage dilemmas to painful vacations, the recently departed John Hughes made fans far beyond the 1980s, although his films did serve as a perfect presentation of decade.
Dryden Theatre celebrates American film criticism with the series “For the Love of Movies”
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on American film criticism with a series of screenings in November and December. “For the Love of Movies: The History of American Film Criticism” celebrates those people of letters whose words are devoted to moving pictures, by presenting a number of movies that provoked particularly inspired and influential essays, including Meet Me in St. Louis, Saturday Night Fever, andRashomon.
Dryden Theatre celebrates American film criticism with the series “For the Love of Movies”
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on American film criticism with a series of screenings in November and December. “For the Love of Movies: The History of American Film Criticism” celebrates those people of letters whose words are devoted to moving pictures, by presenting a number of movies that provoked particularly inspired and influential essays, including Meet Me in St. Louis, Saturday Night Fever, andRashomon.
Dryden Theatre celebrates American film criticism with the series “For the Love of Movies”
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House shines a spotlight on American film criticism with a series of screenings in November and December. “For the Love of Movies: The History of American Film Criticism” celebrates those people of letters whose words are devoted to moving pictures, by presenting a number of movies that provoked particularly inspired and influential essays, including Meet Me in St. Louis, Saturday Night Fever, andRashomon.
George Eastman House celebrates Where We Live, with hundreds of photographs of Rochester from the collections, the community, and renowned photographers
George Eastman stated, “I want Rochester to be the best city in which to live, work, and raise and family.” In that spirit, George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film will showcase this fall Where We Live – Rochester depicted through hundreds of photographs, plus motion pictures — as the City of Rochester celebrates its 175th anniversary. The Where We Live exhibition opens Oct. 17, with some portions opening Oct. 3. It will on view be through Jan. 24, 2010. The exhibition debut coincides with the city of Rochester’s “Coming Home” celebration this fall.
Jessica Lange at Eastman House July 25
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film celebrates Oscar®-winning actress Jessica Lange this summer, with a photography exhibition of her work, a film series, and the awarding of the George Eastman House Honors. Lange will visit Eastman House Saturday, July 25, when she will introduce her recent film Grey Gardens and also take part in a tribute evening, when she will discuss her photography and film career. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 16. Lange’s filmography includes King Kong, Tootsie, Blue Sky, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Grey Gardens.
Jessica Lange at Eastman House July 25
George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film celebrates Oscar®-winning actress Jessica Lange this summer, with a photography exhibition of her work, a film series, and the awarding of the George Eastman House Honors. Lange will visit Eastman House Saturday, July 25, when she will introduce her recent film Grey Gardens and also take part in a tribute evening, when she will discuss her photography and film career. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 16. Lange’s filmography includes King Kong, Tootsie, Blue Sky, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Grey Gardens.
Garden Vibes concert series showcases Rochester bands in conjunction with city’s 175th anniversary
The Garden Vibes summer concert series at George Eastman House, marking its 16th year, boasts a variety of Rochester-based bands with international followings in honor of the city of Rochester’s 175th anniversary. Concerts will take the stage in the Townson Terrace Garden in July and August, with an added “Music & A Movie” feature this season. You can dance the night away and enjoy a picnic supper and fun family activities, while at the same time basking in George Eastman’s historic garden and grounds.
Dryden Theatre presents ‘Marilyn Monroe Wednesdays’ throughout July and August
The Dryden Theatre at George Eastman House is remembering the fabulous, but all too short, career of Marilyn Monroe on Wednesdays throughout July and August, with a series of her best dramatic and comedic work.
Dryden Theatre presents weekend of “Director’s Cuts” with Alien and Woodstock
30th anniversary screening of Alien Aug. 14 and 40th anniversary of Woodstock Aug. 15 & 16
Laugh away your financial woes during the “What Depression?” film series
Enjoy a throwback salute to the films of an era when times were really tough: the Great Depression. Comedy is the best remedy during an economic recession and a summer film series at the Dryden Theatre serves as a distraction from the current problems facing the world, titled What Depression? Musicals, Fantasies, and Screwball Comedies of the 1930s. While generally upbeat, the films selected for this series aren’t strictly escapist; rather, the breadlines and vast unemployment often provide the motivational force for snappy characters and stories. Titles include the Oscar©-winning It Happened One Night and the Busby Berkeley musical 42nd St.