History and Founding
Founders
It all began in 1909 when Harry Edmonds, a YMCA official, greeted a Chinese student on the steps of Columbia University’s library. The student thanked Edmonds, telling him that he had been in the country for three weeks and Edmonds was the first person who had spoken with him. Edmonds’ wife Florence insisted they must “do something about it,” and the couple began hosting international students at their home to develop relationships between international students and Americans. In 1912, Edmonds started the Intercollegiate Cosmopolitan Club. Cleveland H.Dodge and John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased lots on Claremont Avenue and Riverside Drive, and from 1921–1922 the architect Louis E. Jallade began drafting plans for International House.
Harry Edmonds (1883–1979) was the guiding force behind the Intercollegiate Cosmopolitan Club, International House, and the subsequent International House movement.
Florence Edmonds (1883–1933) hosted international students in her home and helped in the planning and management of International House.
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (1874–1948) was a trustee and an influential member of the Building Committee, responsible for much of the early interior design of the House.
When John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960) gifted funds for the Riverside Drive lots and the building, he and his family began a long commitment to International House that continues today.
Florence and Harry Edmonds on the steps of International House, 1932.
Cleveland E. Dodge (1888–1982), a founding member of the Board of Trustees, hosted annual picnics for I-House staff and residents at the family home in Riverdale, NY.
Cleveland H. Dodge (1860–1926) was an early supporter of International House and provided funding to purchase land for the building.
General Frederick Osborn (1889–1981) was a founding member of the Board of Trustees and chaired the Building Committee that oversaw the construction at 500 Riverside Drive.
Harry Edmonds’ letter to Cleveland H. Dodge regarding John D. Rockefeller, Jr.’s interest in the construction of International House, 1921.
Cleveland H. Dodge’s response to Harry Edmonds regarding Mr. Rockefeller’s potential investment. “Perfectly bully!”, 1921.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. meeting with I-House residents in the Home Room, 1937.
Florence Edmonds’ death in 1933 was a tragic loss for the International House community, as reflected by Barbara Young’s poem in her memorial program, 1933.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. introduced the I-House motto, “That Brotherhood May Prevail,” during a Sunday Supper address, 1923.
Members of the founding families carry on the legacy of support for I-House with Trustee William D. Rueckert, great-grandson of Cleveland H. Dodge, and Trustee Peter M. O’Neill ’92, great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., 2015.