Mistreated Millbrook: Cycling Through Time
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.