2,174 Comments for Bennett School for Girls

Pardon my spellcheck. **Oakleigh Thorne **

So all are aware, the property has been purchased by the wealthy local Oakleigh Throne, as well as another private corp. Amount of purchase was not disclosed. The plans are to tear her down and make the property into a park, leaving some of the original stone in tact. The locals are happy that Thorne bought the property. He IS Millbrook. I'm still very disappointed to hear its coming down. Hopefully, if there's anything at all to be salvaged, they'll honor its integrity and surprise us. It will be a sad time for all when she comes down. August 2014 update.

ha,ha...those tombstone-like peaks are the architect's signature Flemish gables, which
grace Mohonk Mountain House as well, except carved in stone. considered an
over-the-top affectation by the twentieth century, the college had them removed.


They represented the architect's intentions to introduce European details upon
what was the archetypal English Hall. The Tudor half-timbering was as well overlaid
with Swiss/Germanic motifs,and the East tower was of French derivation. As a pioneer
of the English Queen Anne style in America, the architect sought to trascend Anglo
values even as he was proffering them, with un-subtle hints of classical European
formalism.

I Always thought they looked like ersatz decorations on a cake,or something.
At this point,your guess seems as accurate as anyone's on the Sub Basement.
I do know the Western Dining wing followed somewhat faithfully to the upper
story,with rooms along a corridor,but not load bearing. Much of this was changed
in 1926, though. So it is all sort of a composite of the different eras.

The support columns were fixed,likely iron, and the floors of concrete.Much of the sub basement has been filled with water for years.

So my plan on the basements is a bit of a mix, wherever there is a window there is a finished room. Most of the hallways are finished similar to the upper floors. The sub basement ( if I read you right ) extends also the same outline of the upper floors? If so, this is what I had 2 floors beneath the Music Hall.

Photo taken 2 levels down directly below the Main East Wing Hallway.

http://i159.photobucke...2016_zps6db4270c.png

I tried to make it look like a reworked old basement with clear signs of minor repairs. Lets assume its the Halcyon of Today, do you think those columns were those adjustable ones? Also what type of material would you assume the floor was? My best guess concrete. I know I ask a lot of questions... I have an obsession with accuracy lol.

Speaking of dormers, I'm glad they removed those hideous details that were originally part of halcyon hall lol. I forget the name of the wood working, but they looked like giant tomb stones making up the roof of several dormers.

Ooo the west side is one of the sides I have yet to receive a direct shot of. It would be nice to have a full picture of it without squinting my eyes due to a weird angle.

it is good news for me as when I visit- the greenery stops a clean pic of the place- maybe things are moving

the primary basement was sectioned off originally as a gymnasium and
locker rooms,beneath the front and music room / ballroom section. The
floorplan's outer footprint corresponds to the upper floors, but with load-bearing
structural columns mostly,instead of interior dividing walls. But these were
subdivided a bit as well in the 2oth century, so their is no definitive static floorplan
as it were. Their was fairly continuous renovation and conversion from 1908 onward.


In other news, all of the undergrowth,landscaping,and vegetation has been stripped away from the entire west facade,revealing a view unseen since the 1920's. This area
in front of the ugly 1950's dorm/auditorium addition, will likely be the practical staging area for demo and remediation, providiing access, and least impact upon the
condominium community adjacent.

clearing the brush also makes it harder to enter without detection,enhancing the
ability to patrol the site more effectively. It is a stark reminder of what lays ahead for
Halcyon,but really interesting deconstructively,to me. It also underscores how much
of the west facade is stone.I wonder how much can / will be preserved? It is,like
the front, built into a hillside. It looks a full story taller now!

Pat, just for clarity is the ball room the Music Room? I'd imagine there may had been some sound proofing involved, the size of that room probably required stronger materials and different architectural techniques. The music hall is something like... 70% of the east wing of the parlor floor.

Also do you know if the basement and sub basement for the primary building and the dining hall ( not including turret building ) where the same shape and size of the upper floors? If you could give a vague description of the shape and size it could help :3

thanx for the update- will be there in less than 2 mos and don't want a shock

i'd hazard a guess that further info will be slow in arriving. It will be a year before
Halcyon actually comes down,or more. As the legal dramas conclude, thankfully,or
are made redundant by the sale and progressive development projected for the
campus, things have quieted down. This is going to be a massive undertaking,but will
take some time before it can commence.


In any event, this landmark will be around for viewing another year i'd say.

Celeste,I always wondered what it was like in the guest rooms directly above the
ballroom when it was a hotel. This part of Halcyon is now also caved in, though it
doesn't appear so from the exterior. A shame.

The high chimneys at Halcyon are really amazing. Sixteen in all,they served the more
than 100 fireplaces throughout, with no two mantels the same. The tower wing's
disappeared with the introduction of central heating, and the Dining hall's chimney
met the wrecking ball in 1926 with the Tudor replacement of most of the north wing.
The kitchen's oversized chimney is quite substantial. The entire facade facing east is
practically a stone rampart built into the hillside.I am quite curious how much of this
could be practically reincorporated into the stone "terracing" that will remain,absent
Halcyon's framed upper stories.
From a design perspective it is sure to be an interesting project of re-purposing. It
is heartening to know that this time around,there will be experienced professionals
to undertake the artistic challenges as well as the practicals.

It's too bad they haven't let in someone who can salvage some of the beautiful woodwork, etc., as they didn't do anything to prevent this from happening.

I love the life that nature brings to this shot.

I love the line conquer of this shot. The repetitiveness of shapes add a geometrical feel to the artchitecture.

Yeah Pat, that converted porch which has collapsed around the turret building is very misleading. Who knows maybe it served as a barrier against the elements for the structure itself.

Regardless all I have is random exploration videos and countless photos. It gives insight into the structural integrity of the building, but not certainty.

As for the East Wing ( as named on the floor plans posted on this sight ) I think having a huge music hall on the parlor floor is a pretty big disadvantage. Also numerous converted Gable to Shed dormer roofs have been sheared off by weather... darn shed dormers...

By the way I think the Chimney's could make good fence spacers maybe... Speaking of Chimneys I wonder what happened to the Turret Building Chimney and old Dining hall GIANT Chimney~