8 Comments Posted by flswan94@tampabay.rr.com

There is nothing to hide here. When Bennett closed in the late 70's, the college was in such dire financial straights that there were no funds to properly winterize the already antiquated heating system. From the very beginning of it's closure there were "explorers" in and out of all parts of the building. An attempt was made to keep windows boarded, teenagers out, vandals out, etc... to no avail. I agree that this is a sad end to a beautiful structure but, even at the time of it's closing there was no one with deep enough pockets to finance the upgrades and repairs that would have been necessary to upgrade it to be a habitable space. The last fuel oil bill (in 1978 at 20 cents per gallon) for one quarter of a year (3 months) was $12,000. I know, I saw it, my father was the "last man standing" the last employee of Bennett and the first of many caretakers of the complex. In his words, the best thing that could have happened in 1978 when the place finally closed would have been to bring in a wrecking ball. He had worked at Bennett from the mid 1940's until it's closing and knew every nook and cranny of the old main building. His key ring was immense with jingling skeleton keys for the various locks and such. The asbestos used to insulate the pipes in the heating system was his ultimate and untimely demise and when he passed he took with him the secret location of every pipe, water main, sewer main and electrical panel in the complex. I am happy to see that Mr. Thorne and his foundation have stepped in to help create something that will once again be beautiful and full of life. Blessings to all who have passed through the grand halls of Halcyon however, it is finally time to let go, for me as well as, all of those who post here. Thanks to Pat Ratchet for keeping us all up to date as well as the entertainment you've brought over the years. This blog would not have been nearly as interesting and well read had you not participated in our mutual obsession.

Great to so much interest still thriving on this great site. Also happy to see that you, Pat Ratchet, are still keeping us posted (and entertained) with regard to the condition of Halcyon Hall. I rarely visit this blog these days for fear of finding out that the old place has been demo'd.
Back when the place closed, I can remember my dad saying that the best thing that could happen to the place would be to take a wrecking ball to it. He was the "last man standing" at Bennett College at the very end and he provided tours to the "Newmans" the "Moonies" the Irish College and so on. He guided all of the owners: Jack O'Dea, Jim Cerniglia and so on... Even in 1978, no one had deep enough pockets to buy and renovated the old main building.
As for the Science Center having multiple sub-basements, bloody handprints, etc... I think Bear's imagination has gotten the best of him. The various posts of paranormal activity and women in white dresses are much the same. While I don't doubt there are spirits remaining at the school, I don't ever remember any true stories of girls committing suicide, etc... Tripping on Leary's acid, maybe... sordid professor/student affairs, sure... but beyond that, let's just call it "urban legend".
A shame that this masterpiece of Victorian architecture has been left to rot. When the school closed, there were no funds to winterize the heating plant, no funds to shore up the already existing infirmities. What contents could be sold were auctioned, what did not sell was either stolen or left to waste, the waste has been vandalized and bastardized beyond recognition. A sad commentary on the idyllic Village of Millbrook, to say the least.
Bennett College was a huge part of my growing up. The asbestos in the building and exposure to it is certainly part of what killed my father.
So much deeper than whose responsibility it would have, should have, could have been.
Thanks to Motts for his photography and to Pat for his continued posts...
should anyone wish to contact me - name/e-mail are as listed...

You nailed it again ratchet - ghost pirate ship. It's a perfect description of the place. Yes, another year... another burst of posts on opacity. Its our collective energy that keeps the place standing - for better or worse - halcyon's groupies.

After further "rifling" through some of my own Bennett memorabilia, you might try PACE University in NYC. They "absorbed" Briarcliff College at the same time that Bennett was planning to merge with Bennett. Unfortunately, both schools declared bankruptcy and Briarcliff is now part of PACE.

In 1977 Bennett announced its affiliation with the New York Institute of Technology. Bennett's 2 year grads were encouraged to continue their education at NYIT - a limited selection of BFA and BS degrees were offered. You might start by checking with NYIT - if records were not transferred to NYIT, they may know where the were transferred to.

A good plastering crew would have this back in tip top shape in no time...

Check out: www.bennettredevelopment.com

James,
We all wish "they" wouldn't. This was quite the place back in the day and it is truly a shame that nothing was done back in the early 80's to keep the place alive. So, just what are you doing in there, 1997 or later...