Proposed by: Rochester Garden Club, Zone III

George Eastman House is an independent nonprofit museum that “tells the story of photography and motion pictures- media that have changed and continue to change our perception of the world.” George Eastman’s colonial revival style mansion was restored to the way it looked when he lived there from 1905 until his death in 1932. Mr. Eastman, the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, took many photographs of his home and gardens. The photographs were enlarged to four times their original size so details like the carvings in the corner of a book case or table leg could be replicated, plaster work on the ceiling that were missing could be refashioned and installed, & even fabric patterns could be identified and then reproduced. Many in the historic preservation field and in media referred to the restoration as “ picture perfect” and it was. The home has been historically preserved, photos and film are preserved, and the historic gardens on the grounds have and continue to be historically preserved.  At the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, Historic Preservation encompasses not only the grand home and gardens of Mr. Eastman, but applies to this significant museum’s film and movie preservation and restoration. The Greater Rochester Community, the United States, and the world has benefited from the George Eastman House. This Old House was transformed into the Elegant National Historic Landmark and highly regarded International Photography and Film Museum it is today.