Silent Serial Sensations: The Wharton Brothers and the Magic of Early Cinema, the first book-length study of Ted and Leo Wharton and their extraordinary film careers, is in production by Cornell University Press, for early 2020 release. Author/historian Barbara Tepa Lupack covers the Whartons’ early years, from their experiences on

WSM’s building a Resources page to provide some information to keep you on  top of the world of silent film. You’ll find it under Events and Exhibits, or click here.

  WSM is thrilled to announce the launch of the Finger Lakes Film Trail (FLFT), a fresh opportunity to discover the history and culture of New York State through some of its greatest innovations, by highlighting three of the most significant destinations associated with the burgeoning movie industry: Eastman Museum in Rochester, Case Research Laboratory

  WSM, a partner in the new Tompkins Center for History & Culture (TCHC) on the Commons, is excited to be working with our design team to create and produce an exhibit on Ithaca’s silent movie history to be installed in the TCHC by its opening in April 2019.

  On October 18th, 2018, NY State Senator Tom O’Mara announced grant funding to Wharton Studio Museum and Friends of Stewart Park and presented WSM Executive Director and Co-Founder Diana Riesman and FSP Executive Director Rick Manning with a check for $450,000 for the Wharton Studio Museum and Park Visitor

  A month-long celebration of silent film and Ithaca’s role in early movie making history, October 2018 is shaping up to be WSM’s best Silent Movie Month yet!  

WSM and Wharton Studio history were recently featured in the Ithaca Times (8/15/18 issue): Ithaca’s Cinematic Past: Ithaca spots that were seen, not heard, in film

WSM is excited to be a partner in the Tompkins Center for History & Culture, a new exhibit-based history and culture destination in downtown Ithaca. On June 6th, 2017, the Tompkins County Legislature voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the Tompkins Trust Co. building as a home for The