Telluride House

I know this place better than anywhere I’ve ever reviewed on Unilocal,because I lived here for four years and had the best time of my life. Owned and operated by a nonprofit completely independent from Cornell, Telluride is home to a «self-​governing intellectual community» (not a cult, or a fraternity, contrary to popular belief) of Cornell undergrads, grad students, and professors, who live and eat for free in exchange for doing work on various aspects of the house. There are readings, lectures, concerts, film screenings, and much more, a lot of which is open to the public. In addition, the building itself is a gorgeous historical artifact of Arts and Crafts-​style architecture, with a lot of original detailing and some rather worn pieces of Stickley furniture.
If you’re curious, ring the doorbell and ask whoever answers if you can have a tour. Telluriders are really nice, if busy and nerdy, and always eager to talk about the weird, wonderful place where they live.