2,174 Comments for Bennett School for Girls

Attention, F.A Manzi -- FACT: You sir are ridiculous! Your statement that the Village of Millbrook has nothing to do with the demise of Halcyon and no responsibilites in coming to this shameful conclusion is grossly incorrect at best. I can't quite determine from your postings whether you're a "real estate expert, running for public office, or possibly a developer," considering you're so well versed in the all aspects of these particular professions. You do seem to make a habit of misinterperating other peoples words in order to rant your inaccuracies (specifically toward Pat Ratchet and Donna). FACT: Bennett may very well have been tied up in private hands for a vast number of years, yet there was clearly a point long before Bennett was left to wither on the vine, that the powers-that-be in Millbrook needed to step it up and get involved in saving and preserving this incredible one-of-a-kind historic landmark, but apparently everyone was out shopping for antiques or socializing at the local winery. As convenient as it may be for you to do so, lets not ignore the truth that there definitely came a time when the building was ABSOLUTELY and positively in dire need of Millbrook's attentions. Surely there is no question that the elected officials of our fair village dropped the ball on this one for YEARS, when they clearly saw and understood the issues of neglect and insane vandalism going on at Bennett. And lest you have forgotten, YES, our communities and elected officials (past mayor Manzi included) have a direct responsibility to step it up and make every effort to preserve and protect those irreplacable monuments of Historical significance that assuredly affect an entire community -- and for vast numbers of us, our ancestral heritage as well. It's their JOB. It's not just about cutting ribbons and making pretty speeches -- pretending they don't notice the enormous building that's been graciously standing for over 100 years as a gateway to our community. FACT: Bennett was shamefully neglected for 30 years because no one in a position to do something about it cared to do so. This is yet one more shameful example of History being flushed away in an unequal exchange for development $$$, and it has nothing to do with an abundance of offspring, Mr.Manzi. (I'm assuming you don't have children, bitter, bitter, man...) It's ignorance such as yours, not progress, that has sounded the death knell for Bennett. The truly pitiful and abundantly sad truth about Millbrook, is that the fools don't even get what it WAS that made the village special. I can only assure you, it's not wineries, antique shops, or developments. And that's a FACT.

Once again, the house seems to be tearing itself down... I love the way this looks. Really makes it seem as though the building has a personality...not a very happy one...but a personality all the same

during my browsing of the internet tonight, something told me to look up Bennett College, Millbrok, NY and lo and behold, I see this awesome blog. I am one of the last students of the graduating class of 1977. In fact I beleive that I am the last May Friend Bennett Medallion Oustanding Senior Recipient. From what has happened with Bennett College, it is a shame. And it has happened and will continue to happen. Along with my classmates (any out there?), we shared a camaraderie that will never be broken, especially in the spirit. We lived then and we live now in a society that has forgotten about the historical legacies that institutions have left, particularly when it comes to property. Many institutions of higher learning that cannot "foot the bill" are in danger of ending up just like Bennett. Beleive me when they do, they too will end up in decay, while people go back and forth debating what to do with the buildings. And pictures will be taken of them and everyone will be saying the same thing... That it did not have to end up like this! Bennett College was not an eerie place, contrary to what people may have written or even think. Coming from the inner, urban city, it was a respite form the hustle and bustle of life in general.Thus, as Bennett College is demolished for prospective development, I along with others will always cherish the physical pictures and memories, because we were once part of that place. Nothing can replace that!

This is an amazing shot, and my favorite of this bunch. Very well done.

Restoration in 77 when it closed would of been viable! And while I know Millbrook did not own Bennett, if the goverment and or town would of taken the time then to gain ownership it might not be in the shape we see today. Don't tell me it wasn't possible because I know better. Call it what you like but we see things for what they are....

facts.: The village of Millbrook does not own Bennett college, it never did and never will. The reason it is not a spa or gift shop is because obvioulsly the numbers don't work. It is beyound repir at this time, that is reality. Also is is not the business of the village government to restore broken down properties. It goes without saying that most everybody would like to see it restored to its former beauty. I have been a mason for over38 years and I hate to see fellow tradesmen 's work bull dozed, but what is the option? Think of it as redevlopment not development. If you want the world to stop expanding stop having off spring. After all Robert Kennedy's six children will need a place to live someday.

I firmly believe Millbrook is losing what charm it might of had and once Bennett /
Halcyon is gone there will no longer be any reason to go back there for me other to tend to family members buried at the church. Bennett / Halcyon is a chuck of Millbrook history just as Thorndale is.... No it might not of been reused as a school but it could of been restored as a Bed and Breakfast.... gift shops, a custom spa... anything ! other than what it was left to become. What did the people of Millbrook in goverment have against this place to let it fall into such disrepair?? just is so sickening....

Felice- I don't "want' to "do" anything with
"the place" as you refer to it
{I assume you mean Halcyon, rather than my slightly off-topic preceding post referring to
an architecturally related site;] I merely
Advocate Preservation, Where Possible.
Anyone reading any of my preceding posts
as CAREFULLY as I have tried to WRITE them will see that I have commended the developer
where warranted in their attempts to do just that, and that I am as informed as Anyone as
to the UNSALVAGEABLE state of most of these buildings.
Your cute couplet about "having the pesos
to have the say sos" {sic}, speaks for itself
in regarding the base mentality of not just
the mindset supportive of this particular
issue of development, but of the sadly
myopic attitude in Millbrook in general regarding its' physical, social, and historical
legacy.
If it is a wealth based meritocracy
determining local public policy that you
advocate, then touche'...you have that in spades.Congratulations. What is so
objectionable then,about an expression
of Advocacy for Preservation,Where Possible,
for this, or any other future endangered local site of
architectural or cultural signifigance?
Particularly here in a forum dedicated to
the appreciation and lamentation of places
that are considered artistic, neglected or special for WHATEVER reason?
The fact is, if i had a "peso' to spare, the
last thing i would do is spend even a fraction
of it in the desperatley pretentious, plastic shithole of a
"community" that passes for Millbrook these days. Who could blame any smart developer
for sensing a great opportunity to cash in on
an upscale country town hell-bent on selling out what makes
it special in the first place? Millbrook is a smart
developers' moist, wet dream orgy. It is a marriage made in Heaven. Enjoy the wedding by all means, 'cuz the marriage itself is spring -loaded to be rough for you, me, or anyone else
invested in any way with the outcome of
the current scenario, whatever any of our opinions, public or private.
Obviously my extended family has spent more
than a few "pesos" over the last fourteen decades
building what is Millbrook in the first place.
So you'll forgive my current lack of veneration for the
wealth-rated pecking order expected, relative
to commentary,{ or even opinion it would seem.}

Pat,
why don't you buy the place, then do with it want you want. If you have the pesos you can have the say sos.

I've never seen this when I've been inside, but those radiators are worth way more than $10 per coil. Those could net much more money in an antiques shop, and most likely used to help restore an old house. Old stoves and radiators aren't just "scrap metal". If anyone ever runs across one in good condition, take some good pictures of it and ask your local antiques guy if its worth anything! I did that and made $200 off an old stove from a demolition job... who knows what it sold for!

To the person "yomommaaa" who recounted her visit inside- I have heard the same heavy footsteps sound on two separate visits on the 3rd and 4th floors. The thing I am not happy to hear is that you took the keys from the box by that window- if you believe in ghosts that is a VERY bad move. Never remove property from a 'haunted' place. Also- you may have tripped an alarm in the building. I an 99% sure there are motion sensors in there.
And to "heather"- Something in a mirror? Wow thats something else! There is what appears to be a face in one of my pictures near my friend's shoulder as if a figure was behind him. We aren't sure if its a reflection or what it is, but it really does resemble a face so its plenty creepy. I also caught a lot of "orbs" (little unexplained dots of light) in many of my pictures. In the ghost hunter websites and such they are supposedly evidence of ghosts.
GOOD LUCK everyone, and don't get arrested, as the trooper HQ is only a 5 minute drive down the road!

I live 5 minutes from this historic landmark. I've been inside this place both in daylight and at night. I can tell you I'm not a firm beliver in ghosts but this place may very well be haunted. As a lifetime resident of millbrook, ny, I know many rumors that have floated around town about this place. I have many pictures of the inside but I can't share them because most show myself and my friends and with this being such a small town I could easily get myself or them in trouble.
It is twice as creepy inside and in very bad shape. I've been to almost every somewhat safe accessible area and yes its something worth the trespassing citation if I had been caught. I heard there is now a "silent alarm" security system with motion sensors in the building so I doubt I'll be back inside anytime soon. Also with every passing year the condition of the old wooden floors gets worse, and some are VERY dangerous. The main stairwells and hallways are VERY sound however. This building is absolutely massive and would take many hours to explore it and take it all in. This place is amazing. If I ever go back I'll try to get some non-incriminating pictures of the inside and send them in.

hmmm looks sort of underwater very pretty

Millbrook has lost another architectural wonder,
a "sister' building, as it were, to HAlcyon Hall:
the monumental medieval barn on the
Hitchcock estate burned to the ground yesterday, leaving only the giant fieldstone walls. No people or animals were hurt or
killed. It apparently burned for days, requiring a massive emergency response county wide. Besides
Halcyon Hall ,it is one of the largest buildings in Millbrook.
It was constructed in the 1890's by
the architect and builders of Halcyon Hall
for one of the original investors of the
hotel. Charles F Dieterich was a German born
industrial magnate who came to America
penniless but eventually founded Union Carbide. The estate he built was perhaps the
masterpiece of country residential design by
it's architect.
In the 1960's it was the headquarters of fomer Harvard psychiatrist
Timothy Leary, where he spearheaded his
mission of popularizing and promoting
the quest for mind expansion through the
use of psychedelic drugs, specifically LSD-25.
THis barn was originally the foundation
structure of what was planned to be a
full blown medieval germanic castle. After
plans for this were abandoned, Dieterich made it
a cowbarn instead. The late Millbrook
historian Carmine DiArpino rightly described
it as "the most improbable bovine residence
in {America}". FRom Bangall Road it looked
like a freakin' cathedral rising out of the hills.
Amazingly, Halcyon has been a tinderbox
for years without any fire incident, despite
being overun for decades by vandal idiots,
careless fools, and known pyromaniacs.
Drunk punk rok skatboarders would light
fires in it's unfunctional fireplaces years
ago. Yet a solid, virtually all stone mega
structure comparable in size and pedigree
disappears, in a scenario that seems
unlikely compared to the fire-waiting-to-happen that has been Bennet/HAlcyon
since 1977.Murderous irony...
I predict the Hitchcock brothers will rebuild.
THe Stone is intact. A good portion of the
tax arrangement on this vast estate is tied
directly to its use as an agriculturally active
property of historical/ architectural signifigance.
It would be a shame to lose this piece of
Europe on American soil.

I like the lights !!!!!