The college now is broken down and many of the windows are smashed. The lower windows and doors are all boarded up. There is some graffiti on the boards and I think I saw some inside of the college when we were walking around it. The college started as a beautiful resort in the 1890s. A couple, called the Davidsons, built their dream resort on an entry way to Millbrook, but shortly after the turn of the century it was transformed by Margret Bennett into a finishing school for young ladies. The young ladies finishing school mainly taught all about fine arts and language. The man who did the entire architect-like work was called Halcyon. The main building Halcyon Hall was named after him. There are other buildings like the Kettering science center and Carroll Hall. Those buildings were interesting, but my partner and I wanted to focus on the oldest most important building, Halcyon Hall, that sits on highway going into Millbrook and is seen by many people, but those many people don’t really know all about it.

Tragedies really haven’t occurred at Bennett College. These tragedies were more mistakes and acts of vandalism. When Bennett College closed a real tragedy occurred. What happened was when closed the pipes were not sealed properly. There was a flood that made the building just go to pieces, making it dangerous. A few other tragedies have occurred like the vandalism that is occurring today. Once kids tried to set the theaters stage curtains on fire. Luckily not much burned and the proper fire officials (911) were notified.

The main building, Halcyon, Hall is way too dangerous for further use and beyond repair (See my partners page for more information on the current condition and all about the repair needed). There are other buildings in use today, like the chapel that is now home to the caretaker. There is a theater that is used now and then, but rarely to put on shows.

Now your probably thinking, “why was this wonderful school closed?” and I have the answer to your question. Bennett College closed due to competition. Now usually when you hear that you think, “oh another school put them out of business.” well that is wrong. What happened was that Bennett College thought it would be better to be a 4-year school rather than a 2-year school. So they did that and ended up in debt. They tried to do some construction to improve the school and they ran out of money. So the school was closed. That must have been sad for the wealthy people who sent their children there. Yes, there were many wealthy people who sent their sons and daughters to Bennett College, after it was changed into a co-ed school many important people came out of it. No one we would know them by name, but people of great knowledge have gone there.

Now the building is most likely going to be bought and knocked down. Realtors are selling it for four million dollars, and I believe that four million is only the price of Halcyon Hall and the land around it. The caretaker Mr. Tumblety believes some of the building should be saved. What could be saved is the stonework. What I mean by stonework is the chimney and the foundation (The things that haven’t rotted away or are still intact because they are made of stone). He also believes that if an apartment is built on top, some of the old building and its history will be saved.

To learn more about the present day Bennett College, the price and what Mr. Tumblety believes should be done, go to my partners page called “Vandals” or click the link below. My partner’s page is quite informative. Also you can click another link below to go to our photo gallery.