Since it opened in 1983, the Discovery Room has provided visitors to George Eastman House a chance for hands-on exploration of the art and science of photography and film. The Room, the first of its kind in a photography museum, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a major renovation.

The Discovery Room is now divided into three main sections—Photography, Cameras & Technology, and Motion Pictures. Longtime favorite devices are still here—the camera obscura overlooking the gardens, two vintage mutoscopes featuring hand-cranked, live action and animated ‘movies’, flipbooks, zoetropes and sunprints—plus other activity stations have been added or enhanced. Visitors can now try out real and toy cameras, browse books on photography and film, look at early photographs, and view a Guessing Gallery of images from the Eastman House Photography Collection. Jumbo timelines and Photo Flashback and Hall of Fame panels highlight significant events and objects.

Here are some before and after pictures:

Discovery Room Online is a new feature with downloadable games, activities, tips, timelines, and guide. It’s a good way to visit anytime!

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Tags: Education, house