2,174 Comments for Bennett School for Girls
wanderer wrote:
we can hope Bennett is still standing at release of your publication one of these days it'll come down as the walls of Jericho- the future will tell
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
pat ratchet wrote:
Celeste- hmm, perhaps I have not been accurate in description.
The area you have labeled red [great interactivity on yr links, by the
way!] is /was a covered porch, just the corner of the house- like section.
the roof balcony in front sits just 2 feet or so below it, seperated by balustrade. It is contiguous otherwise, and effectively part of the same level, plan-wise. So it like a closed corner porch, that overlooks
the uncovered roof porch/balcony. Hope this helps.
the entire eastern tower wing was a seperate house originally, and
only closed in later.imagine the left hand as a T-shape turned on end,
seperating the wing from the rest of the building.all internal
linking hallways were added later, even as outer protrusions.
Anyways, you know, the usual...complicated!
Also the steps to the basement never had doors, the steps continued
in the same pattern as from above. The difference in look is due to
modern renovations, including the elevator and machine room
directly behind that wall to the basement, as well as general
remedial work done to the basement floor as it's stone arches were filled in to reclaim interior space, and accomodate the modern dormitories and assembly hall between them. Hope this helps.
Wanderer my friend, I'm certain Halcyon will be here for your Millbrook visit. So glad! just be careful. Of the social as well as physical hazards of a Bennett visit..
I don't live in Millbrook anymore, but work there alot. It is a place that
is very close to my heart.
People have been asking about floorplans. I have evaded as long as
I can answering, because it is quite complicated. The floor plans
that are on the internet, even here on Opacity I believe, are limited
to just the main and second floors, I believe, with sections of the
attic story as well I believe.?
I have full blueprints for the entire original hotel. I am however
CURRENTLY unable to share them as of yet, as I am soon to
publish the definitive monograph / biography of Halcyon' Hall's
architect James E Ware. This sweeping project is an absolute epic,
I assure you. I have secured the enthusiastic cooperation of the
architect's family, as well as Columbia U, AIA,NYHS, etc ad infinitum.
It has been decades in the making.
I recently gave a lecture at The Millbrook Library about Ware for
the Dutchess County Historical Society. Millbrook's own historical
society, which has never assisted me, jumped on that bandwagon
as a "sponsor". They had nothing to do with it at all as far as I can tell.
Many of their fine membership attended, and I hope they enjoyed it.
There are many fine people there, whom I would truly never want to offend.
when I have shared my data and material with the former historians,foolishly, expecting reciprocity, i recieved no callback, email, or letter response.
Where I come from, that's a snub. Lower-case "s", but still a snub.
It is more than I will go into here about why they have never got on board, but it dosn't matter. I don't need them anymore. I now have more
than they will ever be able to provide on the topic, and what they do have that i may use, i have obtained without them. I also do not require their
permission to use any of it. I will however, unlike them, acknowledge
all sourcing and copyright credit, in accordance with all standards and practices. You know, the way things are supposed to be done, if
you have any integrity or credibility whatsoever. My material was
poached badly, without any credit at all, and the MHS then turns around and acts as if they facilitated my lecture.I don't know what they did,if ANYTHING to justify that really. Maybe I'm wrong. So while I will
credit them in my book, I can say here how I really feel.
to the Millbrook Historical Society, thanks. For Nothing.
I have complicated things somewhat by my long history of posts here
on Opacity, specifically, my foul mouth, which i have tried to curb,
in the interest of good manners, i suppose. But more importantly,
many of the things I have said in re: the redevelopment proposals
for this property, have been much more strenuously objectionable to many
people whom i know, in government and real estate. I'd say it all
again, perhaps not so obnoxiously smart-assy, I suppose. If it
is a question of style that has rankled some, fair enough. But the
substance of my personal Opinion[s] are definitely a bigger problem to others.
In any event, that is precisely how I would characterize it-THEIR problem, not mine.
In short, I have decided to play nice and not burn more bridges than
necessary. It is great that Motts let's me rant here to a general audience that may not get the nuance, but i guarantee the people
who need to hear all this dust we kick up here, do in fact see and read it. So this site as well plays a super huge role, still, in what has and
will go on at Halcyon Hall. {thanks Motts! you freakin rule...]
So I am sharing NOTHING online with ANYONE until my book is out.
It will be at least a year. I am involved in dozens of transactions to
obtain copyright/ permission, etc for publication.[Halcyon's blueprints
are copyright free, by the way. Another reason in fact why i will not release them before they are published.] I have been burned
one time too many, and my policy is only negotiable to individuals
and organizations that are giving ME the things that I require, AND
I GET MINE FIRST.
Once I made this decision, EVERYTHING I have been needing from
dozens of previous sources, has BEEN PROVIDED enthusiastically.
And i have then RECIPROCATED even more generously.
So from here until publication, that's how I roll, to protect
not only myself, but others who have made generous provision
and exchange of materials. I was, frankly, uncomfortable even
lecturing on the topic, without the tome already published. I did so
for reasons of my own, all of which were gratifying, including being
able to leapfrog the people and organizations whom could have helped, didn't, and have now become decidedly...banwagonesque.
touche'
BUT.....upon publication, my book on Ware will also be a multi-media
museum exhibition, for which much appendix material and imagery
will be extrapolated. This will accompanied by a website. Between the
three incarnations, ALL of my Ware archive WILL be made available,
the latter example FOR FREE.
I sincerely apologize for not just being cool and throwing it up on the
web. It would be totally cool for everyone, and I would be completely
undermining my project, which I promise, is... Absolutely Spectacular..
Who knows, you might be able to find floorplans on your own.{Hint: posibly even online?} But unfortunately
I will not provide it, as I have agreements with people whom I
AM beholden to, who HAVE helped me...So it is complicated when
I longwindedly [over]explain it, but simple for me when I just stick to
my Policy, and choose for myself selectively when and where I
decide to assist anyone else, people's opinion's be damned.
Which I guess is what got me here in the first place. But here we are.
Anyway, thanks for all yr patience, and I hope people understand.
I really can't wait for this book to be done, so I will no longer come
off as such a dickhead.
But to quote Christina's handsome cop at Bennett-
"I don't give a shit-just stay outside the fence!'' lol....
best regards to all the regulars, and everyone else- pat freakin ratchet
The area you have labeled red [great interactivity on yr links, by the
way!] is /was a covered porch, just the corner of the house- like section.
the roof balcony in front sits just 2 feet or so below it, seperated by balustrade. It is contiguous otherwise, and effectively part of the same level, plan-wise. So it like a closed corner porch, that overlooks
the uncovered roof porch/balcony. Hope this helps.
the entire eastern tower wing was a seperate house originally, and
only closed in later.imagine the left hand as a T-shape turned on end,
seperating the wing from the rest of the building.all internal
linking hallways were added later, even as outer protrusions.
Anyways, you know, the usual...complicated!
Also the steps to the basement never had doors, the steps continued
in the same pattern as from above. The difference in look is due to
modern renovations, including the elevator and machine room
directly behind that wall to the basement, as well as general
remedial work done to the basement floor as it's stone arches were filled in to reclaim interior space, and accomodate the modern dormitories and assembly hall between them. Hope this helps.
Wanderer my friend, I'm certain Halcyon will be here for your Millbrook visit. So glad! just be careful. Of the social as well as physical hazards of a Bennett visit..
I don't live in Millbrook anymore, but work there alot. It is a place that
is very close to my heart.
People have been asking about floorplans. I have evaded as long as
I can answering, because it is quite complicated. The floor plans
that are on the internet, even here on Opacity I believe, are limited
to just the main and second floors, I believe, with sections of the
attic story as well I believe.?
I have full blueprints for the entire original hotel. I am however
CURRENTLY unable to share them as of yet, as I am soon to
publish the definitive monograph / biography of Halcyon' Hall's
architect James E Ware. This sweeping project is an absolute epic,
I assure you. I have secured the enthusiastic cooperation of the
architect's family, as well as Columbia U, AIA,NYHS, etc ad infinitum.
It has been decades in the making.
I recently gave a lecture at The Millbrook Library about Ware for
the Dutchess County Historical Society. Millbrook's own historical
society, which has never assisted me, jumped on that bandwagon
as a "sponsor". They had nothing to do with it at all as far as I can tell.
Many of their fine membership attended, and I hope they enjoyed it.
There are many fine people there, whom I would truly never want to offend.
when I have shared my data and material with the former historians,foolishly, expecting reciprocity, i recieved no callback, email, or letter response.
Where I come from, that's a snub. Lower-case "s", but still a snub.
It is more than I will go into here about why they have never got on board, but it dosn't matter. I don't need them anymore. I now have more
than they will ever be able to provide on the topic, and what they do have that i may use, i have obtained without them. I also do not require their
permission to use any of it. I will however, unlike them, acknowledge
all sourcing and copyright credit, in accordance with all standards and practices. You know, the way things are supposed to be done, if
you have any integrity or credibility whatsoever. My material was
poached badly, without any credit at all, and the MHS then turns around and acts as if they facilitated my lecture.I don't know what they did,if ANYTHING to justify that really. Maybe I'm wrong. So while I will
credit them in my book, I can say here how I really feel.
to the Millbrook Historical Society, thanks. For Nothing.
I have complicated things somewhat by my long history of posts here
on Opacity, specifically, my foul mouth, which i have tried to curb,
in the interest of good manners, i suppose. But more importantly,
many of the things I have said in re: the redevelopment proposals
for this property, have been much more strenuously objectionable to many
people whom i know, in government and real estate. I'd say it all
again, perhaps not so obnoxiously smart-assy, I suppose. If it
is a question of style that has rankled some, fair enough. But the
substance of my personal Opinion[s] are definitely a bigger problem to others.
In any event, that is precisely how I would characterize it-THEIR problem, not mine.
In short, I have decided to play nice and not burn more bridges than
necessary. It is great that Motts let's me rant here to a general audience that may not get the nuance, but i guarantee the people
who need to hear all this dust we kick up here, do in fact see and read it. So this site as well plays a super huge role, still, in what has and
will go on at Halcyon Hall. {thanks Motts! you freakin rule...]
So I am sharing NOTHING online with ANYONE until my book is out.
It will be at least a year. I am involved in dozens of transactions to
obtain copyright/ permission, etc for publication.[Halcyon's blueprints
are copyright free, by the way. Another reason in fact why i will not release them before they are published.] I have been burned
one time too many, and my policy is only negotiable to individuals
and organizations that are giving ME the things that I require, AND
I GET MINE FIRST.
Once I made this decision, EVERYTHING I have been needing from
dozens of previous sources, has BEEN PROVIDED enthusiastically.
And i have then RECIPROCATED even more generously.
So from here until publication, that's how I roll, to protect
not only myself, but others who have made generous provision
and exchange of materials. I was, frankly, uncomfortable even
lecturing on the topic, without the tome already published. I did so
for reasons of my own, all of which were gratifying, including being
able to leapfrog the people and organizations whom could have helped, didn't, and have now become decidedly...banwagonesque.
touche'
BUT.....upon publication, my book on Ware will also be a multi-media
museum exhibition, for which much appendix material and imagery
will be extrapolated. This will accompanied by a website. Between the
three incarnations, ALL of my Ware archive WILL be made available,
the latter example FOR FREE.
I sincerely apologize for not just being cool and throwing it up on the
web. It would be totally cool for everyone, and I would be completely
undermining my project, which I promise, is... Absolutely Spectacular..
Who knows, you might be able to find floorplans on your own.{Hint: posibly even online?} But unfortunately
I will not provide it, as I have agreements with people whom I
AM beholden to, who HAVE helped me...So it is complicated when
I longwindedly [over]explain it, but simple for me when I just stick to
my Policy, and choose for myself selectively when and where I
decide to assist anyone else, people's opinion's be damned.
Which I guess is what got me here in the first place. But here we are.
Anyway, thanks for all yr patience, and I hope people understand.
I really can't wait for this book to be done, so I will no longer come
off as such a dickhead.
But to quote Christina's handsome cop at Bennett-
"I don't give a shit-just stay outside the fence!'' lol....
best regards to all the regulars, and everyone else- pat freakin ratchet
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
this place is like a movie star
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
Lowlander wrote:
I grew up in Millbrook in the 90's a few blocks from this site. As teenagers we made many midnight trips into the college. I have to say after making so many trips into the place, I never experienced anything paranormal, but a sense of foreboding. Could have just been nerves and a teenaged imagination. I do remember stories about some transients painting pentagrams some where inside and setting themselves and part of the building on fire in the 80's though. Either way a gorgeous building that I have watched fall to ruins over the years
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
Celeste wrote:
and when I say walk it blind folded... I mean the one before it was abandoned. I'm not like suicidal! hehe.
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
Celeste wrote:
Hi everyone I am still working on the final product of my minecraft house, of course I have many questions on what certain things looked like. At this point I could probably walk through the real thing blind folded, but there are some details I am still unsure about.
Pat, when you describe the balcony of the east east wing I half assumed the balcony was more of a square walkway with railings that had a view of the parlor floor plaza, and lead to the other doors and the rooftop balcony.
More so a similar shape to this photo
http://i159.photobucke...cony_zpse2a5220b.jpg
Also some issues with understanding what exactly the basement looked like, there is no photos that I can recognize that would give me even the vaguest idea. Was it just a typical basement? Damp musky wood beams and appliances? or was it a heavily decorated sub level floor?
Speaking of basement, was there once doors here? lol
http://i159.photobucke...ment_zps71e6869b.jpg
Pat, when you describe the balcony of the east east wing I half assumed the balcony was more of a square walkway with railings that had a view of the parlor floor plaza, and lead to the other doors and the rooftop balcony.
More so a similar shape to this photo
http://i159.photobucke...cony_zpse2a5220b.jpg
Also some issues with understanding what exactly the basement looked like, there is no photos that I can recognize that would give me even the vaguest idea. Was it just a typical basement? Damp musky wood beams and appliances? or was it a heavily decorated sub level floor?
Speaking of basement, was there once doors here? lol
http://i159.photobucke...ment_zps71e6869b.jpg
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
hey PR- anyplace in Millbrook I can go to the archives of bennett to see old plans -some seem to interested- is there a ' historical society " ????u know the town better than I do
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
flushed wrote:
I wonder if the plans for this place still exist anywhere. Would be cool if they did so someone could use them again or to get ideas for a different project.
I'm hoping we've come to the end of slap dash building for a while and might start up building for the long term again. It certainly is more green to build long lasting buildings and to rehab existing buildings.
I'm hoping we've come to the end of slap dash building for a while and might start up building for the long term again. It certainly is more green to build long lasting buildings and to rehab existing buildings.
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
yep oct 15-18 then the train to canada-3 days then back to Millbrook could never stay long enuff- my sister on the East coast went thru the one there and she said the building shook then she stood in a dooerway- anyhow Glad u r OKAY
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
stax v8 wrote:
Yeah we are all good mate.Where we are in
relation to the centre of the quake is about
400 km away and we get the rolling affect.I
was at work when the last one hit.Thanx
for thinking of us aye.Wanderer are you
still going back in Oct.Hi to Flora,Pat,
Celeste,and Christina.I always miss
someone out sorry.Tryn to stay on the
PULSE
relation to the centre of the quake is about
400 km away and we get the rolling affect.I
was at work when the last one hit.Thanx
for thinking of us aye.Wanderer are you
still going back in Oct.Hi to Flora,Pat,
Celeste,and Christina.I always miss
someone out sorry.Tryn to stay on the
PULSE
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
so Stax -did U feel the earth move last night - i know its a big place hope U R okay
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
in the past I've not had any problem / police but maybe now it's different
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
Christina - Doc Update wrote:
It's actually private property, that area is for the housing community in back. There are no posted signs so you can't get in trouble, they'll just make you leave.
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls
wanderer wrote:
wow how sad how people are treated
- Location: Bennett School for Girls
- Gallery: Close Calls