Everything you Need to Know About George Eastman
Unsurprisingly, Rochester is a hub for some of the best known US celebrities. From Phillip Seymour Hoffman to Robert Forster, Rochester has played host for some of the best sportspeople, actors, comedians, and people of influence of the 20th century and beyond. With a thriving arts and sports culture, the city cultivates such unique talents. One aspect that’s always forgotten is that much of this has spawned from the legacy of just one man — George Eastman.
Guests at the Rochester Riverside Hotel are probably vaguely aware of the man; his influence can be found on almost every street in the city, and much of the tourism in Rochester has been cultivated by Eastman’s presence and longstanding effect on the city. Whether you’re on the lookout for a tourist attraction or just to get to know the history of Rochester, George Eastman is a great place to start.
Who is George Eastman?
George Eastman was a businessman born in 1854 and was the co-founder of Eastman Kodak, the first company to develop the use of photographic and roll film, thus making amateur photography a widespread pastime. With a wide variety of cameras and lenses invented under his eye, Eastman set up his company’s headquarters in Rochester itself. The new headquarters can be found by guests at Rochester accommodation in the High Falls district of the city.
Eastman House and Museum
The house that George Eastman lived in from 1905 and up until his death has now been redeveloped as a museum exploring the history of photography and film. With a broad variety of displays and exhibitions, the house has been kept in its art deco style and reflects the wealth and personality of the man himself, also holding a range of event rooms such as the Potter Peristyle, perfect for Riverside Hotel Wedding Package guests looking for the perfect reception venue.
The George Eastman Award
The George Eastman Award was started in 1955 to pay tribute to those who have contributed greatly to the art of film. With actors and wider contributors being paid tribute to through the accolade, the award is held in the Dryden Theatre at the Museum and is a testament to the longstanding effect that George Eastman has had on the industry.
George Eastman took his own life
Owing in part to terrible back pains and a far lessened quality of life because of it, George Eastman took his own life on the 14th of March 1932. This was probably an amalgamation of depression and a degenerative spine disease that may have been inherited from his mother. Eastman left a note for his friends and loved ones which read, “my work is done, why wait?”.
There are very few photos of George Eastman
Ironically, there are very few photographs of Eastman, meaning that he was able to walk around Rochester and not be recognized by the locals whose town he built. If it had existed during his lifetime, Eastman would have been able to sit down for a meal at the Rochester Riverside hotel and restaurant, a hotel that’s existence is owed in part to his legacy, without being bothered at all!
