The Clinton House was described as "a hotel of superior order and of the first class, equalled by few and surpassed by none in the State" when it opened. Its construction reflected the growth and prosperity of the state that occurred with the opening of the Erie Canal and then the Ithaca & Owego Railroad. Over the years many famous visitors have stayed in the Clinton House, including Simeon Dewitt, Dewitt Clinton, William Seward, Horace Greeley and Sarah Bernhardt. The preservation of this landmark was an important turning point in the local and national preservation effort to prove that older buildings could be successfully reused rather than replaced.
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Original Name |
Clinton House |
Current Name |
Clinton House |
Location |
116 N. Cayuga Street
SW corner of N. Cayuga & Seneca St.
One block north of Ithaca Commons
Ithaca
Tompkins County
New York |
Map |
|
Category |
Commercial |
Designations |
National Historic Landmark
National Historic District
Local Landmark
Local Historic District
|
Construction |
1828-1830 |
Architect |
Ira Tillotson (attributed) |
Builder |
Luther Gere (attributed) |
Original Owner |
Jeremiah Beebe, Henry Hibbard, Henry Ackley
|
Original Use |
Hotel |
Architectural Style |
Greek Revival |
Number of Stories |
3 |
Foundation |
Cut stone |
Walls |
Stucco over brick |
Roofing |
Standing seam metal
|
Interior |
Colonial Revival lobby |
History:
The hotel has undergone renovations several times, the first in 1872, under the supervision of Cornell University's first graduate in architecture, William H. Miller. This resulted in a new Mansard roofline. The Graves hydraulic elevator, which is one of only a few remaining intact examples, was installed at this time and is no longer in use.
The second major rebuilding occurred after a fire in 1901, with renovation completed under the supervision of local architect, Clinton L. Vivian, in the Colonial Revival style. Most of the lobby interior is from this period.
The last major renovation occurred in 1972-1974 when Historic Ithaca saved the building from demolition and converted it to its current uses. A new elevator was added at this time. |
Current Owner |
Historic Ithaca, Inc. |
Type of Ownership |
Not-for-profit
Public |
Current Use |
Offices, Kitchen Theater |
Current Condition |
Needs repair |
Current Threats |
2007: The building is currently undergoing exterior repairs that are being funded by a grant from Save America's Treasures. |
Public Access |
First floor lobby is open to the public, 10-5, Monday through Saturday. The first floor is also home to the Kitchen Theater. |
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Original structure
Mansard Roof Addition
Current
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