Capturing a “Kodak moment” may be a thing of the past as a new generation of consumers have never had to pick up an actual camera to snap pictures of their favorite life moments. In fact, so many photos are taken in today’s society – from food on the table to dogs wearing ridiculous outfits – that people rarely even look at photographs the way they once did.
George Eastman might be stunned to see cameras and phones together as one if he were still alive. Eastman, who invented the Kodak brand might be discouraged that his cameras are largely obsolete to the average consumer but would probably be impressed at the stunning quality of an I-Phone or other smart devices that are responsible for the majority of today’s photos.
Mr. Eastman lived in Rochester, New York in a mansion that’s now open to the public for tours. The estate was completed in 1905 and served as the residence of Eastman until his death in 1932.
The living space is nearly 35,000 square feet with 50 rooms.
Some interesting points – a giant elephant head towers over a living room space in the middle of the house. The home has a built in organ with pipes that extend to the second floor. The basement and third floor are off limits to the public – though special tours of those spaces are offered once a month.
Established in 1947 as an independent non-for-profit institution – it’s also the world’s oldest photography museum.
Inside, you’ll find all sorts of antique cameras and quite possibly find the model that best represents the time you or your parents first started taking pictures. You know – back in the day when you had to take that film down to the drug store to be processed or step into a dark room to produce a photograph.
In all, more than 16,000 pieces of photography technology make up the museum’s collection.
Of course, the tour of the Eastman property isn’t complete until you walk through the garden. Fall is the best time to visit as the neighborhood trees are changing colors. More than 90 varieties of plants are on display.
If you’d like more information about the George Eastman Museum – you can check out: https://www.eastman.org/