From Scrabble to Suffrage: Four Rochester Museums You Just Can’t Miss

Welcome to Rochester, New York: a city steeped in culture and history.

There’s no better way to discover the elements that have shaped the city’s identity than by exploring its captivating museums. From the world’s oldest photography museum to the largest collection of play artifacts, Rochester offers an eclectic array of experiences for visitors of all ages.

This trip was generously hosted by the team at Visit Rochester, but as always, all opinions are my own.

Whether you’re a local looking for something new to discover or an out-of-towner planning your next adventure, Rochester’s museums are sure to leave you inspired. Here are four museums well worth the price of admission:

George Eastman Museum

George Eastman Museum | 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

View of the George Eastman estate from the garden — George Eastman’s estate was completed in 1905

A collage of exhibits on early cameras at the George Eastman Museum — The George Eastman Museum walks visitors through the history of cameras, photo printing, and the Kodak company

Two rows of old cameras in an exhibit — Cameras grew more portable with the invention of dry-plate photography, which Eastman helped make more accessible

Vintage cameras on display in a gallery — The George Eastman Museum’s collections include an impressive number of cameras that captured historical moments

The entrance to a photography exhibit by Gillian Laub — Modern photography exhibits are available on a range of subjects | Gillian Laub, *Southern Rites*, 30 Jun. – 31 Dec. 2023

Shutterbugs, this museum is for you.

Everyone else? This museum is also for you.

The world’s oldest photography museum couldn’t possibly be located anywhere else in the world than Rochester, New York. The George Eastman Museum is set in the estate and former residence of its namesake, a pioneer in the field of photography and the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company. Divided into two wings, the museum includes over 450,000 photographs, 28,000 motion picture films, and a vast array of photographic and cinematographic equipment.

Start your visit at the very beginning, with a pair of quick but informative videos on the progression of camera technology and the innovations of George Eastman. From there, turn left to explore the museum’s collections of film paraphernalia and current photography exhibits. Take a stroll back through the lens of time with the help of more than a century’s worth of cameras (can you imagine having to carry some of them?), and then see what modern-day photographers are doing with the technology available now. Exhibits both fascinating and emotional were on display during our visit – head to the museum website to see what’s on the calendar to plan ahead.

Interior of the George Eastman home — Dissatisfied with the dimensions of the home’s conservatory, the photography pioneer commissioned the home to be split in two to extend the space by less than ten feet

Collage of images of the home of George Eastman — Exploring the rooms of the home offers a look back at life more than a century ago

View of the gardens at the George Eastman Museum — While museums are generally considered a rainy day activity, the George Eastman Museum is best visited on a sunny day

Collage of photos taken at the George Eastman Museum Gardens — Exploring the gardens is a treat (don’t forget your camera!)

Heading back across the museum lands you in the founder’s stately mansion (now on the register of National Historic Places), ornately decorated and bathed in natural light. It’s always fascinating to see how people lived long ago, and wealth is certainly on display here, though perhaps in unique ways (you could say Eastman probably spent a lot on taxidermy services – hoof ashtray, anyone?). Hopefully, you’ll manage to catch a performance by the Aeolian Pipe Organ while you explore the wings.

On a beautiful day, be sure to explore the expertly maintained gardens, which were bursting with life during our summer visit. It just might be the perfect place to practice your photography skills.

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Notes on visiting the George Eastman Museum:

Advanced reservations are recommended.
Eastman’s suicide note is on display in the sitting room upstairs, which some may find disturbing.
Film buffs may wish to time their visit to coincide with a particular screening, and curious minds may luck into visiting on a darkroom demo day.
Being a museum of photography, visitors are invited to take pictures to their heart’s content (with a few rules, naturally).
Hungry visitors will be pleased to find Open Face on site, with a menu of hearty cafe fare.
In a shopping mood? Check out the museum shop for souvenirs beyond your personal photos.

Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

Susan B. Anthony Museum & House | 17 Madison St, Rochester, NY 14608

Collage of photos at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House — On the tour, visitors have the chance to explore her home room-by-room, with helpful interpretation by the museums guides

A bust of Susan B. Anthony — A visit to the museum reminds us that the right to vote is not something to take for granted

Two images from a guided tour at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House — *left*: the tour provides insight into the work by many activists and supporters of the day, not just Susan B. Anthony | *right*: The tour concludes with a visit to her bedroom and place of death

There are very few museums dedicated to women in the United States, so it’s always worth a visit when you find one. The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House was the home of the activist who fought for women’s right to vote – and the location where she was subsequently arrested for doing just that.

You’ll find the museum down an unassuming street in Southwest Rochester, easy to miss without the help of several strategically-placed signs.

Visiting the museum is only possible through scheduled guided tours, and reservations are recommended during the peak season. Your tour begins at 19 Madison Street, once owned by Susan B. Anthony’s sister, Hannah Anthony Mosher, and now houses the Visitor Center and Museum Shop. After checking in for your tour time, brush up on your history while browsing an introductory exhibit in the lobby. Once your group is accounted for, it’s time to head next door to 17 Madison Street – the former home of Susan B. Anthony.

Over the next hour, visitors are led through the Anthony home room by room, listening to stories of one of America’s most influential women’s rights activists and examining the period pieces in the home. Our guide, Nick, not only animatedly told the story of the activist’s life in a way I can’t even dream of doing justice, but managed to do so by framing the experiences of women and minorities in her day under the lens of ours. I won’t spoil your visit, but I will share that I left feeling immensely grateful to past generations for their pursuit of social justice, and with the reminder that there is still so much work to be done.

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Notes on visiting the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

Reservations are recommended; weekend tour times (particularly during the peak summer season) may sell out.
A small parking lot is located adjacent to the museum, but street parking is an option if the lot is full.
Navigating the tour requires ascending and descending steep flights of stairs; head here for more information on accessibility.
Tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour (though my group was chatty, and the tour lasted 90 minutes!).
Be sure to visit Susan B. Anthony Square Park while you’re in the neighborhood. Have more time? Head to Mount Hope Cemetery to visit the suffragist’s final resting place and give your thanks.

The Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong National Museum of Play | 1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607

Two displays of toys throughout history — The Strong National Museum of Play chronicles the history of play

The Strong is perfect for an easy day of browsing the archives – or burning some energy with activities like Big Wheel racing

Alyssa is dressed as the seafood manager at the mini Wegmans — The Strong’s *Wegmans Super Kids Market* exhibit is a pint-sized grocery store where kids (and big kids!) are in charge

Let your inner kid roam free with a visit to Rochester’s The Strong National Museum of Play. This one-of-a-kind immersive destination celebrates the power of play through its collections of toys, games, and interactive exhibits.

After purchasing admission, the museum’s floor plan unfurls ahead of you one exhibit at a time, creating a nice, orderly path for your visit. Normally I’d suggest following a museum’s intended flow, as there must be a reason it has been created that way – but at The Strong, the first several hours (yes, hours) of your visit should be spent on the exhibits you’re most excited to see.

Two images: Sesame Street and Barbie through the years at The Strong — Expect to see some familiar faces here!

The World Video Game Hall of Fame at The Strong — The Strong is home to the World Video Game Hall of Fame

A collage of video game artifacts and memorabilia — The Strong elevates video game making to an art form, and addresses the question, “Why do we make games?”

In my case, that was a stroll down Sesame Street, “working” at a mini-Wegmans, and exploring the ESL Digital Worlds exhibits and World Video Game Hall of Fame with my video game-obsessed partner. The last two are part of The Strong’s latest expansion, offering an in-depth look at the processes of creating video games and the people who made history in the field. Naturally, interaction is encouraged through an astounding catalog of games to play, both for free and with purchased tokens.

But for most, the main highlight is the National Toy Hall of Fame, where iconic toys are enshrined and honored for their enduring cultural significance. For this reason, a visit to the museum is the perfect activity for a multigenerational group, as The Strong National Museum of Play features something from everyone’s childhood and issues an immensely important reminder that you’re never too old to play.

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Notes on visiting The Strong National Museum of Play

Purchase your tickets online in advance to save a little over the counter price.
If you’re unable to locate free street parking nearby, parking is available at the adjacent garage for $5 per car with your admission ticket.
The museum offers a helpful accessibility guide for visitors, including information on ASL Interpreter services, free wheelchairs, guest rest rooms (i.e., rooms for resting), and checking out noise-canceling headphones.
Plan to spend the better part of a day at The Strong if you can (and even if you manage that, still plan to peel your family members away at closing time!).

Rochester Museum & Science Center

Rochester Museum & Science Center | 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

A collage of exhibits at the Rochester Museum & Science Center — Many of the exhibits at the Rochester Museum & Science Center are interactive – or at least, impressive

An exhibit on Indigenous Peoples at the Rochester Museum & Science Center — The Rochester Museum & Science Center is committed to highlighting diverse stories

A photo of suffragists at Susan B. Anthony's grave — The museum also serves as a repository of local history exhibits and artifacts

Whether your scientific fascinations lean more toward astronomy, geology, or natural history, the Rochester Museum & Science Center provides a dynamic learning environment for both children and adults.

Visitors can delve into the wonders of science, technology, and the natural world, fostering a deeper understanding of our universe and sparking curiosity and excitement for discovery through engaging hands-on activities. Whether it’s operating a miniature Erie Canal lock or pretend-digging for prehistoric bones, the RMSC cultivates learning through the avenues of exploration.

The museum is far larger than its already grand exterior suggests and is the only science museum I’ve visited in recent memory that extensively covers social justice issues. The Rochester Museum & Science Center doesn’t shy away from or sugarcoat sensitive subjects like racism, slavery, or the oppression of indigenous peoples, and though it may at first seem like an unusual forum for such topics, it’s the perfect place to reach people who might not seek out this information.

With so many rotating exhibits and shows, the RMSC is a museum you’d be lucky to visit on more than one occasion.

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Notes on visiting the Rochester Museum & Science Center

Though the collections have something to interest everyone, the Rochester Museum & Science Center is best suited for ages 16 and under.
Parking is free in the museum lot, and you likely won’t have any trouble finding a spot.
Some events and shows, particularly in the Strasenburgh Planetarium, require separate admission.
Budget several hours for your visit – even longer if you plan on catching a show.
Ready to put your knowledge to the test in the field? Consider a visit to the Cumming Nature Center, a 900-acre preserve located about an hour away.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON ROCHESTER’S MUSEUMS

I have to say, I’m wholly impressed with the quantity and caliber of museums in Rochester, New York. The city’s museums beckon visitors to immerse themselves in a captivating journey through history, art, science, culture, and play. No matter your age, these four wildly-diverse experiences in Rochester are sure to leave a lasting impression.

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Questions for you:

Which museum are you most excited to visit?

What was the last female-centric museum you visited?