Often when I tell folks that I live in Rochester, their immediate response is “Kodak??”. Yep. That’s us…and our fair city that flourished during most of the 20th Century on the heels of George Eastman and the Institution that he founded. Although Kodak has stumbled considerably over the past quarter century, it’s legacy is strong. It was – by and large – responsible for making photography a democratic art form. It put photo in the hands of the people and in so doing, created one of the most significant technologies of the 20th century; arguably – from a historian’s standpoint – one of the most significant ever.
In addition to Kodak, Mr. Eastman left marks of his legacy all throughout the City that he called home. From banks to parks, Institutions of Higher Learning, Eastman is still alive and well here in Smugtown. Most important (to me at least) is his former residence on East Avenue, now simply The George Eastman Museum – the world’s oldest museum dedicated to photography and one of the world’s oldest film archives. I have been a contributor and member of the Museum since I came to Rochester and visit frequently to check out exhibits, watch a film at the Dryden Theater or simply browse the book shop for unique and quirky photo-related items.
As an Editorial Staff Photographer for POST Magazine, I was recently given an assignment at the House that Photo Built…and was psyched to take it on! The Photographic Preservation and Collections Management program, a collaboration between the Eastman House and University of Rochester, is creating new and unique cultural preservation techniques. The three ladies at the center of this new initiative were to be my subjects. What fun we had. Thank you to Lisa, Joan and Olivia for the smiles and laughter…y’all were fabulous 🙂
GEORGE EASTMAN MUSEUM : ROCHESTER NY : POST MAGAZINE
