Plans to renovate President’s House

Members of the Cornell College Board of Trustees and other friends of the College are funding a major renovation and expansion of the 160-year-old home that serves as the President’s House on campus.

John McGrane, chair-elect of the board, is championing the project with his wife and 1973 Cornell classmate, Martha (Marty) Benson McGrane. They have given a lead gift for the project and have recruited architect Stephen Muse of Muse Architects in Bethesda, Md. for the redesign.  Among the firm’s 120 awards are two from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and five Montgomery County Historic Preservation awards. Cornell’s entire campus is listed on the National Historic Register.

The goal of the project is to build on the strengths of the President’s House while mitigating existing problems with the structure and its layout. Preliminary plans call for renovation and expanding the public space, and renovating and revising the residential area. The house serves as both the primary residence for the president and family and as a social space where events are held.

The preliminary plans were presented to the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Committee in September and will be subject to their review. Fundraising for the project is ongoing.

The 1850 house is the oldest building on campus, predating the founding of the college by three years. Cornell President William Fletcher King bought the house in 1864 and gave it to the college when he retired in 1908. He remained in the home, living with President and Mrs. Flint, until his death in 1921. The home has undergone several alterations through the years, but the most recent major work was in the late 1960s, when the heating and plumbing systems were upgraded. While President Les and First Lady Katrina Garner lived in the house, a porch was enclosed to make a family room, the kitchen was updated, and a front porch was added. During the Garners’ 15 years on campus, about 1,000 people visited the house  each year.

John McGrane said the project is important both to the college and the town.

“Marty and I got involved in the President’s House project for two reasons. First, Cornell needs a fully functional home for its president, both to live in and to host alumni, fundraising, community and other events that are critical to Cornell’s future. Les and Katrina Garner graciously and ably demonstrated that the house can and should be used to create a broader sense of community for Cornell and Mount Vernon. This project is intended to help continue their efforts and that purpose.

“Second, the House is historically important, both to Cornell and to Mount Vernon. The original house, built before Cornell College even existed, has been an important part of the town and the college from the beginning. The proposed renovation and expansion plans attempt to emphasize the historic character of the house and create a wonderful focal point for the College and Mount Vernon.

“We are very pleased to be involved and to join other trustees, alumni, and friends of the college in supporting this very important project.”