Andrew Dickson White House
About the Rooms
Martin Room: 23’ x 15’
dining room table: 5’ x 5’ with seven 1’ leaves
small octagonal table: 3’6” x 3’6”
The present dining room was installed in 1953. This reconstructed dining room was originally part of the New York
City home of Peter Cooper, the 19th century industrialist.
The elaborately hand-carved oak wall and door paneling is
Flemish, inscribed with the date “1655.” The allegorical mural incorporated into the woodwork is 17th or 18th century
and came from the Venetian palace on the Grand Canal. The
ceiling is Moorish and later in date than the paneling. The
dining room is used for serving food for buffet dinners and
receptions, as well as seated dinners for up to 20 guests.
Andrew D. White Room (room 110): 28’6” x 18’ 6”
eight tables: 5’ x 2’6”
small round table: 3’ x 3’
The large parlor to the left of the front door, now called the
Andrew D. White Room (room 110), originally served as a
music room. The heavily carved pieces on the inside wall
came from the estate of White’s daughter Karin. This room
was the formal living room during the early years, and the
weddings of White’s daughters, Clara and Ruth, took place
here against the background of the bay window. A broad
veranda extends along the north side of the room. It is now
used as a classroom, and is available for conferences and
seminars as well as seated dinners for up to 32 guests.
Bullis Room (room 109): 18’ 6’’ X 18’
four tables: 7’ x 2’6”
Directly across the hall from the Andrew D. White Room is
a smaller parlor, originally called the morning room, which
served the White family as an informal family room. It has
been named the Bullis Room (room 109) in honor of Mr.
Gardner Bullis. The doors between the morning room and
the former library (Guerlac Room) may be closed for privacy
or opened to form an archway between the two rooms. This
room is now used as a classroom, and is available for conferences and seminars as well as seated dinners for up to 24
guests.
Guerlac Room: 43’ x 18’ 6”
The original library is now called the Guerlac Room, in honor of Henry Guerlac, Director of the Society for the Humanities (1970 – 1977). Guerlac was instrumental in saving the
A.D. White House from destruction in the 1970s by applying
for and receiving National Historical Registry status for the
building. Under his direction, the restoration of the building and the acquisition of the furniture were accomplished
through many contributions. The Guerlac Room can accommodate fifty people for seminars, conferences and lectures,
and is used for standing receptions. Wedding ceremonies of
fewer than 60 guests may be held in the Guerlac Room.
Conservatory: 15’6” x 13’
serving table: 8’6” x 3’
Opening from an east door of the Guerlac Room is the conservatory. Built in the angle between the old library and the
dining room, it affords a fine view of the gardens. In 1989,
the Class of 1952 donated funds to restore the conservatory
and maintain it with plants and orchids. The conservatory is
presently supplied and maintained by Greg Heist of A New
Leaf. French doors from the conservatory open to the patio
and gardens behind the house. The conservatory is used for
serving beverages for dinners and receptions.
Guidelines for use of the Andrew D. White House
Catering:
• Caterers are required for all functions.
• The name of the caterer and his/her arrival time should be given at the time of reservation.
• The caterer is responsible for set up and clean up of event.
• The caterer or client is responsible for supplying linens and catering supplies as well as renting tables and chairs to be
used outside.
Furniture:
• The caterer is responsible for arrangement of furniture.
• No furniture or artwork can be removed from individual rooms. Caterers should plan around furniture in place.
• Only rented tables and chairs can be used outdoors. No chairs or tables that belong to ADW can be brought outside.
• All tables used for serving or dining must be covered with table cloths (supplied by caterer). The dining room table must
be protected by pads and a cloth at all functions.
• No tents, tables or chairs are allowed in the upper garden above the steps.
Music & Entertainment:
• Dancing is not allowed inside the A.D. White House. Dancing is only permitted outside on the round patio in the
lower garden. Dance floors may not be set up on the grass of the lower or upper gardens.
• The piano in the Guerlac Room may be used with prior permission. Clients must bear the cost for tuning the piano if
they wish to have it tuned.
• Bands may set up on the presidential porch of the A.D. White House. Solo musicians and smaller groups may set up
inside the house.
Serving & Dining:
• Food and drinks may not be served in the Guerlac Room.
• Hors d’oeuvres for standing receptions should be served in the dining room.
• Buffet dinners should be served from the dining room with seating in rooms 109 and 110.
• Beverages should be served from the conservatory.
Available Equipment:
• projector and laptop
• Screens in Guerlac and rooms 109 and 110
• sound and video equipment (dvd/vcr/cd)
• microphone, podium and sound equipment in Guerlac Room
Available Chairs:
45 lecture chairs 64 Bentwood Chairs 44 classroom chairs
Other house guidelines:
• The fireplaces are not working fireplaces. Please do not use them.
• Candles are not permitted inside the A.D. White House.
• A security attendant is hired for all events and must be present. The security attendant’s primary responsibility is to
maintain and protect the house. He or she is not responsible for setting up or cleaning up after your event.
• Cornell University requires a UUP approval to be filled out for every event held at the A.D. White House. UUP approval website: http://www.activities.cornell.edu/eventreg/
You will be held responsible for the charges incurred by the Society for the repair, replacement or cleaning of furniture,
carpets, or other fixtures damaged or lost during your function.