William Henry Miller Downtown Architecture Walking Tour Preview

1

The William Henry Miller Inn

303 North Aurora Street, built in 1880-1881This Queen Anne building was originally commissioned by Calvin D. Stowell, a local grocer. R. C. Osborn purchased the house in 1914 and married Agda Swenson in 1922. Although R. C. Osborn passed away in 1954, Agda Swenson Osborn remained in the home until her death in 1996. A well-known community leader, she helped found Historic Ithaca, the Hangar Theatre, Family and Children’s Services, and the City Federation of Women’s Organizations. Lynette Scofield purchased the home in 1998 and began converting it into an inn, which opened in March 1999. Distinctive features of this house include the tower with its iron weathervane, the iron snow eagles on the roof, the half-timbering in the gable ends and near the windows, and the brickwork on the chimneys. The carriage house, also designed by Miller, was built in 1892.LISTEN HERE

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2

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca

302 North Aurora Street, built in 1893-1894This is the second William Henry Miller-designed church to be on this location. After the previous church burned down in 1893, Miller donated his services to design a new Romanesque church in memory of his mother. The original plan called for a pyramidal roof, but a tall steeple was built instead so that students would be sure to see it.LISTEN HERE

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3

First Unitarian Society of Ithaca Parish House

306 North Aurora Street, built in 1895-1896This Queen Anne building was built as the home of Oliver L. Dean, president of Bush and Dean dry goods store. It later served as offices for physicians Francis Forster and Frank S. Janas before being purchased by the First Unitarian Society in 1958 for its expanding religious education programs. The two buildings were connected by a major renovation and addition completed in 1992. Note the two-story porch with its own gable, ornate molding on the front door, Palladian window with leaded glass, and eyebrow window.LISTEN HERE

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4

United Way of Tompkins County

313 North Aurora Street, built in 1890Sometimes referred to as the Livermore Memorial Building, this home was built as a private residence for cobbler Charles G. Hoyt. The building was purchased by George Livermore, founder of the Ithaca Gun Company, in 1902. His son, Paul, gave the building to the Ithaca Community Chest in 1952, which is now the United Way of Tompkins County. Originally built with Eastlake detailing, the home was remodeled by William Henry Miller in 1894 and combined such Queen Anne features as the tower with Colonial Revival details, including the paired Doric columns on the porch and Palladian window in the main gable. Note the lion’s head medallion on the second story, which is repeated inside the house on the original dining room table and chairs. There is also an elaborate carriage house behind the main house.LISTEN HERE

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5

Private Residence, 316 East Court Street

316 East Court Street, built in 1883-1884This private residence was built for Thomas B. Campbell, a local builder who oversaw construction of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca.LISTEN HERE

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6

First Baptist Church

309 North Cayuga Street, built in 1890-1891Designed in the Romanesque style by William Henry Miller, this church is the third Baptist church on this location, replacing churches built in 1831 and 1855. John D. Rockefeller helped fund the construction. The building interior was renovated between 1976 and 1978, and the church is designated as a historic landmark at the local, state, and national levels.LISTEN HERE

7

The DeWitt Mall

201 North Cayuga Street, built in 1912-1914Ithaca's first school was built on this location in 1807, and the current structure is the fourth school building at this corner, replacing the high school that burned down in 1912. When the high school relocated in 1960, this building became the junior high school until 1971, when it was converted into the current combination of apartments, shops, offices, and restaurants by architect William S. Downing Jr. The structure was one of William Henry Miller's last commissions before his death in 1922.LISTEN HERE

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8

The Clinton House

120 North Cayuga Street, built circa 1830When this Greek Revival building first opened, it was called one of the best hotels west of the Hudson River. The so-called founder of Ithaca, Simeon DeWitt, lived in the hotel when visiting Ithaca and died in the building in 1834. The building survived multiple fires and had numerous renovations and remodelings over the years. Although Ira Tillotson was likely the original architect, William Henry Miller did the Second Empire remodel in 1872, and Clinton Vivian did the Colonial Revival renovation in 1901. The building ceased to be a hotel in 1973 and today is home to the New Roots Charter School.LISTEN HERE

9

St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church

120 West Seneca Street, built in 1882-1884Originally used as a Congregational church known as the First Church of Christ, this building served as offices for the Ithaca College music department from 1959 to 1966, when St. Catherine's purchased the church. Two of the stained glass windows were designed by Louis H. Tiffany.LISTEN HERE

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