Private Stone Cottage

About Nancy Norton

Buzz and Nancy met in 1990 and have slowly transformed the property as they've raised their children there. Buzz is from Ithaca, and Nancy's paternal family has lived in upstate New York for almost 200 years. Her maternal family is from Brooklyn. They both love traveling, and appreciate the new ideas they pick up when away from home.

Why Nancy Norton chose Tompkins County

Buzz's family has had a stone quarry here since 1956 when they took it over from Cornell University. Stone is no longer quarried or fabricated here; the quarry reclaimation should be finished soon, and the neighborhood is increasingly residential. We love the hillside meadow, the woods, the pond, the gardens, the orchard, the root cellar, the views . . . though with about five acres, it all keeps us busy! The main house was a Cornell Farm Service home Buzz moved here in 1987. After renovating the main house and raising our children, in 2003 Buzz built a garage with a 700 sq. ft. apartment for extended stays on the second floor. It was so popular, he built the stone cottage two years later. The tower cottage came along in 2012, and in August of 2014, the summer house up on the ridge above the main house was opened. Each is unique, but all are supremely comfortable.

What makes this Cottage unique

Buzz started with a blank palate here, as the property was old quarry land. If Buzz isn't golfing, he is happiest taking an idea from paper to stone and wood. Buzz enjoys design, and our travels have subtly influenced each new building. The local blacksmith, Duran Van Dorn, has contributed his unique style as well. Nancy enjoys the interior design, keeping the focus on guest comfort while considering sustainability and utilizing the local producers of fine furnishings, particularly Stickley, Harden and J.W. Southard. Guests are encouraged to make themselves at home - walk the grounds, relax on the patio, or the swing down by the pond, watch the swallows by day or fireflies on July evenings, maybe catch a glimpse of the chickens othrough the back yard fence. Nights are quiet and days can be as busy or relaxing as you'd like.