Dawn's Rock Garden opens at the George Eastman Museum following restoration

ROCHESTER, NY.— The George Eastman Museum has completed the restoration and accessibility project for its historic Rock Garden. The garden has reopened as Dawn’s Rock Garden, named in recognition of Dr. Dawn F. Lipson and her support for the museum’s ongoing preservation projects.

Gardens were important to George Eastman’s estate as a place to relax and entertain and as a backdrop for promotional photography to market Eastman Kodak products. Today, the gardens are a key part of the museum visitors’ experience and provide areas for quiet enjoyment by community members. Located near the University Avenue side of George Eastman’s former estate, the newly restored Dawn’s Rock Garden is now more visible and inviting since the removal of the fence along University Avenue in April.

“We are deeply grateful to Dawn Lipson for her steadfast support of our institution and its mission,” said Bruce Barnes, Ron and Donna Fielding Director of the George Eastman Museum. “Her exemplary contributions to our ongoing preservation projects are appropriately recognized in the new dedication of this beloved historic garden.”

The focus of the project was the restoration of the grape arbor, designed by architect J. Foster Warner and a key feature of landscape architect Alling Stephen DeForest’s original design of the Rock Garden. The grape arbor had endured more than a century of freeze-thaw cycles, with years of exposure causing severe deterioration and extensive wood rot, which compromised the arbor’s structural stability and made repairs urgently necessary.

Significant accessibility improvements were made to create a more welcoming and inclusive experience for all visitors, while preserving the historic character of the Rock Garden and ensuring that this treasured haven can be enjoyed for generations to come.

To create a path that could easily be traversed by those using wheelchairs, canes, or other mobility aids, all of the brick pavers that led to and through the grape arbor were removed, a new concrete base was poured to provide a durable foundation, and the brick pavers were reset on top. A portion of grass and asphalt driveway was also removed to allow for curb cuts so that wheelchair users may safely navigate across the driveway and into Dawn’s Rock Garden. All accessibility improvements are ADA compliant.

This project, entailing an investment of more than $1 million, was funded in part by a $500,000 grant administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993. Support was also generously provided by Bruce B. Bates, Dr. Dawn F. Lipson, the Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Linda and John Buttrill, Lindsay and John Garrett, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Rochester Garden Club, the Eastman Museum Council, 7Crest Financial Partners, the Allyn’s Creek Garden Club, and other individuals.

The museum engaged Bero Architecture to design the grape arbor restoration and accessibility improvements and Pike Construction Services as the general contractor.