Wednesday, November 28, 2007

That's a big pair of dentures...

This elephant is in the George Eastman House here in Rochester. According to the guide who gave us a short tour, George Eastman shot the elephant on safari in Africa, and brought it home. But, it only had one tusk (which is on display beneath the elephant), so Eastman had the dental clinic at Kodak make the elephant two fake tusks.

This isn't the real elephant either - apparently, it was given to the zoo, by one of the later occupants of the house (it was used by the University of Rochester to house the president of the school), and when the house was restored and turned into a museum, they had a replica made. I much prefer a replica elephant, being rather strongly opposed to trophy hunting...

No matter what your feelings on elephants, fake tusks, and trophies, the Eastman House is well worth a visit. We will take you by if you come to stay with us!

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