[Editor's Note: This post features before and after photos of the Fincher's kitchen, courtesy of Cornell University Library, Rare and Manuscript Collections.]
This International Day of Veterinary Medicine, we're celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Myron Gustin Fincher, a Cornell veterinarian who dedicated nearly 45 years to animal and human health. The family home at 118 Delaware Avenue in Ithaca was more than just a house—it was a vibrant hub of education, community, and family life.
Ever wondered what a kitchen renovation looked like in the 1950s? Cornell’s College of Home Economics took on the task of remodeling The Fincher's kitchen at 118 Delaware Avenue—and the results were documented. Eat your hearts out vintage kitchen lovers!
A special thank you to Myra Fincher for sharing these incredible photos and memories of her family's kitchen transformation, we enjoyed learning more about what happens inside the buildings we work so hard to advocate for. We are so glad to call Myra a Preservation Champion and friend. If you'd like to support the efforts of Historic Ithaca in honor of Myra please visit historicithaca.org/donate
The Fincher Family Home: 118 Delaware Avenue
Our journey begins with a query from Myra, a longtime supporter of Historic Ithaca. After seeing our post about "The Home," she reached out, curious about her childhood residence at 118 Delaware Avenue. This inquiry opened up a delightful dialogue about her life in Ithaca and her family's deep connections to the community and Cornell University.
Myron and Evelyn Fincher purchased the house at 118 Delaware Avenue in 1930 for $9,000. The property, previously owned by retired Professor Brew of the Dairy Department, became their home for the next 45 years. It was a hub of activity, warmth, and education in the Bryant Park Neighborhood.
A Home Full of Life
Myra paints a vivid picture of her childhood home:
"My parent's home was always welcoming. The neighbors visited. Holidays and birthdays were celebrated. Dad invited students to meals, visiting in our friendly home environment. Mother and I stayed in the kitchen when veterinary talk took over."
The Finchers, embracing the spirit of education that permeated their lives, often rented rooms to Cornell students. This practice not only supplemented their income, but also created a vibrant, multigenerational household.
The Evolution of a Family Space
In 1953, the small kitchen in the 7- room home underwent a significant transformation. A class from the College of Home Economics at Cornell remodeled the space, creating a more efficient and welcoming area for family gatherings and meal preparation.
Myra recalls, "The new kitchen eliminated many of [Mother's] steps taken.” During the research phase of the renovation students came and watched Mrs. Fincher as she prepared a meal. They measured things like the number of steps she needed to take from the refrigerator to the stove, the storage needed to replace a Hoosier cabinet and the spacing around the eating table.
The renovation didn't stop there. In 1954, a "fine sturdy addition" was added to the house, featuring grand Anderson windows on the west side and a small half-bath. This new room became the heart of family gatherings, with the west dining room window transformed into a playful passageway for grandchildren to enter the house.
A Legacy of Education and Community
Dr. Myron Fincher's career at Cornell's New York State Veterinary College spanned from his freshman year in 1916 to his retirement nearly 45 years later. His wife, Evelyn Davis Fincher, was also a Cornell alum, having entered the Arts College in 1918. Their shared commitment to education and community service was evident in how they opened their home to students and neighbors alike.
As we celebrate the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, we're reminded of the far-reaching impact veterinarians have, not just in animal health, but in shaping communities and fostering education. The Fincher family home at 118 Delaware Avenue stands as a testament to this legacy - a place where veterinary science, family life, and community intersected for nearly half a century.
[Editor's Note: We invite our readers to visit Tomkins.HistoryForge.net, a project of The History Center of Tompkins County, to explore more stories of Ithaca's rich history.]
This gallery features before and after photos of the Fincher's kitchen, courtesy of Cornell University Library, Rare and Manuscript Collections.
Komentarji