Established in 1966 as a community response to threats to downtown Ithaca landmarks, Historic Ithaca is the non-profit voice for preservation in Tompkins County and the Finger Lakes Region. HI works to identify and preserve the historic built environment through awareness, advocacy, leadership and education. We offer technical preservation consulting services to our membership and to local contractors, municipalities, and the general public. With member support we advocate for the protection of important buildings and structures, facilitate neighborhood preservation planning, and speak out on issues of sprawl and smart growth. We owned, operated and restored the 1928 State Theatre from 1998 to 2008, and we restored and were the proprietors of the 1828 Clinton House, Ithaca’s grand old hotel, which we leased as community arts and commercial office space from 1973 until 2009. We also operate Significant Elements, a non-profit architectural salvage program housed in an 1880 frame warehouse. We provide Preservation Services to individuals, businesses, and municipalities thorughout the Finger Lakes Region. Historic Ithaca staffs a Library for the Built Environment, sponsors tours and lectures, conducts hands-on workshops, and publishes books, articles and an electronic newsletter.

Our headquarters is located at 212 Center Street, in a 100-year old warehouse. Located at the corner of Center and Plain streets, this warehouse was originally built by Pritchard & Sons for use as a carriage and wagon repository. It was later used as a corset factory, airplane parts factory, a warehouse for Rothschild’s Department Store, Harbeck’s Paper Company, and the ICC Furniture warehouse.

Historic Ithaca’s programs are supported and funded by: