Despite the turmoil of 2020, the George Eastman Museum saw through an exciting new project.

Beginning construction in January 2020, the Thomas Tischer Visitor Center held its grand opening nine months later in October. Led by Flynn Battaglia Architects, The Pike Co. and many others, the glass and steel structure that hugs the side of the Dryden Theatre provides a bright, welcoming space for guests.

Inside the visitor center is a reproduction of a Kodak Colorama. The original was installed in Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The Wolk Concourse leads visitors from the pavilion to the rest of the museum, and educational and interpretive content is peppered along the way for an introduction to the museum and George Eastman.

The addition also features a new gift shop and café.

The new visitor center was initiated by Thomas Tischer, a retired research chemist at Eastman Kodak Co., who donated $1.5 million. In addition to other major donors, the museum received a $1 million grant award from the New York State Council on the Arts, as well as a $1 million donation from ESL Federal Credit Union, which attained naming rights to the entrance pavilion.