A Conversation With the Tang Family: Photo Gallery

Many thanks for the community members who came out to celebrate Jean and King Tang, former owners of “Asiatic Garden.” They are continuing to work with the History Center to preserve their family history. They wish to honor their ancestors, their community, and the generations to come after with their work.

Reviewing “Enterprising Families: Ithaca, New York”

Written by Jennifer Amarachi Anebere, Student Docent

Often recognized for its prestigious universities and stunning natural landscapes, Ithaca, New York has a deeply rooted and yet frequently overlooked history of business and entrepreneurship that has come to shape the town’s development over the centuries. Enterprising Families Ithaca, New York by Carol U. Sisler further explores this history, emphasizing that the importance of these business endeavors does not lie solely in their economic impact, but also in the families behind these enterprises, more importantly, their visions, resilience, and lasting influence on the community. This book serves as both a historical record and a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit of Ithaca’s past, offering readers a compelling look at the intersection of industry, architecture, and familial legacy.

Sisler’s work meticulously traces the development of Ithaca’s economy through the lens of its most influential families. From industrial pioneers to real estate moguls, each chapter highlights a family’s contribution to the city’s growth. Through detailed descriptions and archival images, the book brings to life the homes they built and the businesses they ran, many of which are still standing in Ithaca to this day. Sisler does not merely document facts but instead crafts a narrative that intertwines personal ambition with the broader economic forces at play in Ithaca during the early 19th and late 20th centuries.

From the Van Cleefs and Tremans to the better-known Sages and Cornells, Sisler highlights the entrepreneurial legacies that helped shape Ithaca’s economic and social landscape. These families were not merely business owners but visionaries whose investments in industry, education, and civic development left a lasting imprint on the town. Whether through banking, manufacturing, real estate, or philanthropy, their influence extended beyond their enterprises, fostering Ithaca’s growth as a hub of innovation and progress. Their homes and businesses serve as physical reminders of their ambition and impact. Sisler’s work not only traces the economic and entrepreneurial history of Ithaca but also captures the deeper essence of the homes and spaces these families built. She goes beyond bricks and mortar, revealing how these residences served as extensions of their owners’ ambitions, values, and legacies. Through vivid descriptions and archival materials, the book brings to life the atmosphere of these homes, illustrating how they were not just physical structures but living testaments to the people who shaped them.

“The Residence of Susan Linn and Henry W. Sage on E. State St.

The emphasis on the character of a home unfolds from the very first page where readers are presented with a poignant and moving excerpt taken from the 1885 eulogy of Susan Linn Sage presented by local minister Henry Ward Beecher. He explains that though Sage is no longer on earth bodily, her presence has not been diminished as her influence will forever endure in everything that she has built and left. Beecher claimed that: “No artist could ever draw so many pictures as she has left behind, for there is no artist like memory and imagination inspired by love. There is no part of this dwelling where there will not be felt the influence which her presence has given.” He highlights a certain sentimentality that continually proves to ring true as so much of human history has been kept alive through memory and remembrance. When one dies, they leave in body and yet remain in spirit, in object, in memory, and in all that they leave behind, an idea central to towns as historically impactful as Ithaca.

Take, for example, the home of Jennie McGraw-Fiske, adorned with numerous statues and paintings she collected during her travels throughout Europe. Reminiscent of a French château, her home was filled with artwork from Greece, Iceland, and Berlin, each piece reflecting not just her refined taste but also the depth of her experiences and aspirations. More than just a display of wealth, the carefully curated space told a richer story, one that extended far beyond the life that she presented outwardly, instead revealing the essence of a woman shaped by culture, intellect, and an appreciation for beauty.

New Exhibit: Puppet Mastery of the Northeast and Beyond

The History Center is tucked into the Tompkins County Center for History and Culture, just behind the atrium. But for the next few months, we'll be spilling out into the atrium with a larger-than-life display featuring puppets from Ithaca and beyond. They're suspended from the ceiling, delicately arranged in transparent cases, and posed for the spotlight.

A parade puppet of Mother Earth hangs in one corner of the Atrium. Her arms are outstretched and her hair is immaculate.  In the central display case, there are marionettes complete with moving lips and dancing shoes. In front of the window is a selection of felted puppets from Lilypad Puppet Theater, Ithaca's local puppet arts non-profit. These are just some of the whimsical and intense pieces filling the space. 

Image shared by Becky Dewitt, Volunteer Docent

The exhibit will be on display throughout May, 2025, and you can visit whenever the History Center in Tompkins County is open, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. We'll be closed throughout the month of January to reset the primary exhibit hall. 

This exhibit was curated by TJ Jacobs, puppeteer, artist, and founder of Basically Good Puppet Theater. 

This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Cook/Marks Fund. The grant also extended support for the creation of a puppet collection at The History Center in Tompkins County, significantly contributing to the preservation of our local and regional puppet history in Central New York.

So often, what happens to be preserved is a happenstance of financial resources, awareness, and luck. Visionaries like puppeteer and collector Alan Cook and philanthropist Jacqueline Marks recognize the absence of funding for important work like preservation, cataloguing, and conservation; thanks to their generosity, through a donor-advised fund at the California Community Foundation we are able to bring members of our community together to create and then steward a legacy of Tompkins County puppetry for future generations. It is our sincere hope that long into the future, our community can be delighted and thrilled by the incredible local legacy of puppetry. 

Cook/Marks Fund Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/CookMarksFund/

Putting the "Trains" in "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles"

As the History Center in Tompkins County gears up for the 2025 exhibit, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with Buses, Boats, and Bikes," we’re thrilled to give you an insider look at one of the centerpiece themes: Trains. From miniature recreations to evocative historical artifacts, this exhibit promises to transport visitors to the heyday of rail travel in Tompkins County and beyond.

Spotlight on Miniatures: Dave Fogel's Ithaca Trains

Renowned local model maker Dave Fogel is crafting a miniature recreation of Ithaca’s historical train routes, bringing the intricate details of our railroads to life. This custom-built model showcases key points along Ithaca’s distinct rail lines, immersing viewers in a bygone era when trains wove through the steep hills and valleys of the county. He's building on-site, and after the closure of the exhibit hall this Saturday, he'll continue crafting in the familiar "Passage Through Time" (you may know it better as the Rutabaga Vault).

Drama on the Rails: Local Railroad History

The history of railroading in Tompkins County reads like a novel—complete with controversies, romance, disasters, and cutting-edge invention. Between the mid-1800s and the 20th century, more than 50 different railroad corporations were established here, each shaping the county's landscape. From the coal trade's critical role in Ithaca's economy to the challenges of building on rugged terrain, the railroads tell the story of ambition and ingenuity.

Illuminating the Past: Railroad Lanterns

One exhibit case will highlight vintage railroad lanterns, such as a kerosene lantern embossed with "L.V.R.R." for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. These artifacts illuminate how workers signaled and operated in the dark before the advent of modern lighting. The lantern collection showcases the evolution from whale oil to kerosene to electric lights, underscoring the innovative spirit of railroading pioneers.

Your Ticket to Ride

This exhibit opens in early 2025 and promises to be an unforgettable journey through the rich transportation history of Tompkins County.