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.
