Last night's group ride took me up and down the Shunpike, locally known as a hilly set of rollers in the middle of bustling Dutchess County. It also took me past an awesome old urban ruin: the Bennett School for Girls in Millbrook, NY.
Originally founded in 1890 as a six year institution. Sometime in the early 1900s, it switched to a 2 year school, and due to poor enrollment, attempted to become a 4 year school in the 19702. Originally female only, part of it's downfall was the emergence of co-educational facilities, which was another matter necessitating the change to a 4 year institution. Unfortunately, the financial stress of adding a 2 year curriculum, campus improvements and construction combined with poor enrollment numbers, causing the college to enter bankruptcy. Plans to merge with nearby Briarcliff Manor (also in bankruptcy) never materialized and the college was closed 1978. Untouched since then, 33 years of neglect have taken their toll on the beautiful architecture of the main building.
The main building of the college (pictured) is Halcyon Hall, built in 1893. It is a 5 story structure with a basement, sub basement and 3 floors, totaling 200 rooms. It was originally built as a luxury hotel, but became the home of Bennett College in 1907 after Bennett moved from Irvington, NY, and the hotel proved to be a bust. The campus itself was quite large, containing a chapel, riding stables, dorms, tennis courts, an outdoor theater and a modern science building completed in 1978 (shortly before the college entered bankruptcy; indeed the cost of this structure contributed to the college's downfall.)
Sadly, upon closure of the campus, Halcyon Hall quickly fell into ruin; with the heating system turned off, the bitter cold of the New York winter burst the building's water pipes, causing massive water damage throughout the structure. As time wore on, substantial portions of the roof have collapsed, allowing the elements to ravage the interior of the building. Nature has also been quite active in reclaiming the property as evidenced by the trees growing through various parts of the building.
Rumor has it that there is currently an initiative afoot to demolish the wooden part of the structure, a beautiful Queen Anne style structure, and rebuild condos on the old foundation. As visible as Halcyon Hall is from rt. 82, it would be a terrible shame to see this historic landmark (it is listed on the national historic registry) be torn down, only to be replaced by a condo complex.
Unfortunately, I was on a group ride so was only able to snap a quick photo of the exterior of the building (and only with my iPhone camera at that.) I hope to return to Bennett with a proper camera and hopefully explore some of the area, although it is fairly well known that the property is watched carefully, and it's not uncommon to be visited by Millbrook's Finest if you venture around the grounds too long. Hopefully a bike will prove to be a less conspicuous form of transportation?
I grew up in Millbrook, long ago when the school was still operating. I went there a few times, but was just a few years too young to interest any of the girls there. Was just commenting about the condition of the building with some friends a few days ago. I didn’t have a bike back then but there are some beautiful roads and nice hills around there.