In front of the museum bearing their last name, the Cornells were honored by the Delray Beach Rotary Club, who gave their annual Service Above Self Award posthumously at a Old School Square ceremony.

Harriet and George Cornell did so much philanthropic work for Delray Beach and its residents that they were honored posthumously a decade, and half-decade, respectively, after their passing. The Delray Beach Rotary Club gave the 13th annual Service Above Self Award to the Cornells at a presentation at Old School Square.

“This is the first time we’ve given the award posthumously. The award is for exceptional contributions the Cornell’s gave to this community,” longtime Delray Beach Rotary Club member and past president Leo Phillips said.

The Cornells' generous donations have helped the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Lake Ida Dog Park, Old School Square, Delray Beach Public Library, Bethesda Hospital, Palm Beach Zoo and Florida Atlantic University among others.

Recently the Old School Square gem, the Cornell Museum, again made possible by the wonderful couple, was renamed the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture.

“George and Harriet saw the values and vision of Old School Square. Their spirits were with us when they spoke to us at Old School Square telling us to take it (Cornell Museum) to the next level and make the iconic American Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture name change,” Old School Square executive director Joe Gillie said.

Jean Fischer, the Cornell’s care-giver attended the event and was joyous in telling stories about her “special time” with the two amazing people.

“When I got cancer, Mr. Cornell took me to all my appointments, he was soft spoken and cared. He was the best! Mrs. Cornell is the brain behind all of this… She told Mr. Cornell since they had no kids that they should put their money and name behind what’s good in the community,” Fischer said.

Harriet and George Cornell also gave upwards of $12 million to Cornell University. They also supported Rollins College in Winter Park.

Harriet Cornell passed away on Aug. 3, 1999, and George Cornell on April 2, 2003.

Past recipients of the Delray Beach Rotary Club’s Annual “Service Above Self Award” include, Clifford Ripley, Ernest Simon, Robert Miller, Dr. Fred Love, Elizabeth Wesley, George Elmore, Leo Weeks, Dr. Monroe Farmer, Frances Bourque, Alexander Simon, Spencer Pompey and Barbara Dodge Smith.

The Delray Beach Rotary Club regularly meets every Tuesday at 12 p.m. noon at Ellie’s 50’s Diner Banquet Room at 2410 N. Federal Highway in Delray Beach.

For more information call Ellie’s 50’s Diner at 561-276-1570 or Sally Dye, Delray Beach Rotary Club executive secretary at 561-649-1658 or email at sallydye1@yahoo.com

Old School Square Director Joe Gillie accepts the Cornells' award from the Delray Beach Rotary Club.