HISTORY of the Bostwick House

Built in the 1840’s in the town of Enfield, this Carpenter’s Gothic style cottage farmhouse sits high above Ithaca, New York. The home with its three acres is surrounded by fields and trees and overlooks the East toward Ithaca and Danby. Majestic views are what make this property so very special. Pictured here is a cameo of the original rendering on the 1853 Tompkins County Map which hangs on our Library wall.

In its 160 year old history the home has had only five owners and at one time it was a working farm. Age took a toll on the original dairy barn and carriage house in the 1990’s.

Since 1989, the current owners lovingly restored the home leaving the original wide plank pine floors which give the home a warm rich feel. Also restored was the original stone smoke house and added was the cottage style “tea house" with a Japanese style facade, using the salvaged original barn wood from the original carriage house. This is currently used as a workshop/studio for the owners and was designed and built by them.

The steep pitched roof, gables and gingerbread ornamentation are special Gothic features of the home. Many alterations were made to accommodate a larger kitchen, addition of baths, and the owner’s new back porch and private residence. The integrity of the architecture was never compromised during renovations and in 2001 the owners received an award of merit from Historic Ithaca for the rehabilitation of the property.