The William Henry Miller Inn

Prominent Ithaca architect William Henry Miller (1848-1922) designed this house, located at 303 North Aurora Street, which, from the weathervane to the wrought-iron fence surrounding the property, appears exactly as it did when it was built in 1880. The style is Queen Anne, which was popular in the Unites States from 1880 to 1910.

Queen Anne houses are characterized by complex rooflines and asymmetrical massing. They typically have a round or angular tower, projecting bays, multiple gables, intricate porches, and multi-textured surfaces combining clapboard, brick, stucco, shingles, and/or stickwork. Many have stained glass windows.

Distinctive features of this house include the tower with its iron weathervane, the iron snow eagles on the roof, the half-timbering in the gable ends and near the windows, and the brickwork on the chimneys. The carriage house, also designed by Miller, was built in 1892.

The property was formerly the site of a tannery owned by Daniel Bates, the first president of the Village of Ithaca. Comfort Butler owned the other tannery in town. It was just across the street where Patterson’s Garage stands.

Source: Historic Ithaca, Inc.

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