Cornell University’s Society for the Humanities Marks 50th Year in A.D. White House

Fifty years ago, Cornell’s Society for the Humanities moved into the Andrew Dickson White House, home of Cornell’s first president. To honor the anniversary, the Society has produced a booklet chronicling the history of the A.D. White House as president’s home, art museum and locus for the humanities at Cornell: “The Andrew Dickson White House: Home of the Society for the Humanities since 1973.”

In sharing the history of the house, the Society pays homage to the enduring vision Andrew Dickson White created for Cornell University and recognizes the role of the humanities in that vision.

“The booklet not only provides a wonderful, pictural overview of the history of the house, but also shows how A. D. White’s founding philosophy is so prescient for today. We are so proud of this project and the enduring relation between the arts, humanities and the A. D. White House,” said Paul Fleming, the Taylor Family Director of the Society for the Humanities and L. Sanford and Jo Mills Reis Professor of Humanities in the Department of German Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).

The booklet traces the use of the A.D. White House over its 150-year lifespan and gives visitors an introduction to the past tenants. With an emphasis on photos, including those dating back to A.D. White’s years of residence in the house, the booklet answers frequent visitors’ questions regarding A.D. White and the Society for the Humanities. The booklet is available at the A.D. White House, 121 Presidents Drive, for visitors to browse through or pick up a copy.