The Final Years and Remembering Bennett College · Bennett College, 1890-1978: Women's Education in Millbrook, New York

Postcard of Bennett College Campus Buildings, Mid-Late 20th century. Bennett College Collection.

As Bennett College entered the 1970s, higher education was undergoing significant change. Several formerly women’s colleges in the Hudson Valley, including Vassar College, Sarah Lawrence College, and The College of Saint Rose, adopted coeducational admissions between 1968 and 1969. While many institutions were moving toward four-year coeducation models, Bennett College remained committed to its mission as a two-year women’s college. As the college explained, “Does Bennett plan to continue to be a two-year college? Yes, by choice. For Bennett feels that it can most effectively meet the needs of women’s higher education by concentrating on its own field of demonstrated competence.” However, Bennett recognized the need to compete with four-year institutions in order to attract and retain students and top faculty, noting that “to attract top professors, however, Bennett must also be able to compete with four-year colleges.”

Throughout the mid-1970s, the college invested heavily in campus improvements, including plans for a new Science Center and additional residence halls. These efforts were part of a long-range development initiative known as The Turning Point, a strategic planning and fundraising campaign led by the Board of Trustees. Campaign materials reflected the administration’s optimism:

“Throughout its history, Bennett has adapted to changing education needs for women. Now—more than ever before—Bennett has an opportunity to meet future needs realistically and to become more than a very good college, Bennett is now on the thresholds of greatness.”

"5 Day Bankruptcy Auction," Bennett College, Millbrook, Dutchess, New York, 1977. Bennett College Collection.

Despite these efforts, the college struggled with declining enrollment and the financial burdens associated with expansion. The same campaign brochure acknowledged the challenges facing the institution when asking the question “Is Bennett aiming high in inaugurating the expanded science program?” the reply was:

“Yes, it is. Bennett knows it can survive by keeping pace with other colleges, but to flourish it must attain an edge of excellence in all programs.”

On October 13, 1977, Bennett College filed for bankruptcy. In its final months, trustees explored partnerships and merger opportunities with several institutions, including Marist College, New York Institute of Technology, and Briarcliff College. These negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful.

In 1979, former trustees established the Bennett College Foundation, Inc. using restricted funds from the institution. The Foundation provided scholarships to Bennett alumnae, as well as their children and grandchildren, pursuing undergraduate study at accredited colleges and universities. Through donations and annual newsletters, the Foundation helped maintain connections among former students and friends of the college. The Alumnae Association and Friends of Halcyon Hall continued to organize reunions and preserve the memory of the institution.

Halcyon Hall before demolition, Bennett College, Millbrook, Dutchess, New York. Late 20th century. Bennett College Collection.

In 1985, the Bennett College Collection was transferred to Millbrook Library, ensuring the preservation of the institution’s historical records and archival materials. Alumnae and their families continue to donate materials, further expanding the collection and contributing to the enduring legacy of Bennett College.

To view the finding aid, click here: https://empireadc.org/search/catalog/nmbr_5866

Following the college’s closure, ownership of the campus changed several times. Various redevelopment proposals, including those by Resorts Management, Inc., Country Inn, and Teri-O Partners, Inc., sought to rehabilitate Halcyon Hall and the surrounding property, but none came to fruition.

After the school’s closure, two of the former residence halls were purchased and converted into Bennett Commons apartments. A small number of historic buildings remain standing on the former campus, including Exmoore House, the former residence for the college president.

Real Estate Listing, Bennett College, Millbrook, Dutchess, New York, c. 1980. Bennett College Collection.

Unfortunately, after years of vacancy and deterioration, the property entered foreclosure in 2014. The Thorne family and the Millbrook Tribute Garden acquired the former Bennett College campus.

In 2017, Millbrook Community Partnership, Inc. (MCP) was established to preserve and revitalize historic properties for public use. The organization later acquired portions of the former Bennett campus from the Thorne family and the Millbrook Tribute Garden with a vision of creating Bennett Park, a 32-acre public park, and restoring the Thorne Building as a community center.

Plans for site remediation and demolition of unsafe structures followed. In September 2021, several remaining campus buildings were removed because of asbestos contamination, including Carroll Hall dormitories and the Science Center. By 2022, decades of neglect, including roof collapse, had rendered Halcyon Hall structurally unsalvageable, and the building was demolished.

Rendition of Bennett Park.

In 2023, with support from Dutchess County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth Program, MCP worked with the Dutchess Land Conservancy to establish a conservation easement protecting the future of the site.

The former Bennett College campus is now being transformed into Bennett Park, a 32-acre public space envisioned as “The Gateway to Millbrook.” Plans include walking paths, community gathering spaces, a restored outdoor Greek Theater, and the preservation of original stonework and chimneys from Halcyon Hall. Through Bennett Park, the history of Bennett College continues to shape the landscape and community of Millbrook.

Millbrook Community Partnership (MCP) is governed by a Board of Directors composed of members of the Thorne family and the broader Millbrook community, reflecting the shared commitment to preserving the site’s history while creating new opportunities for public use. Learn more about the park and how you can support their efforts here: https://www.millbrookbennettpark.org/.

View additional records and images relating to the final years of Bennett College here.

"Leaving Millbrook Come Again Thank you," Yearbook, Bennett College, Millbrook, New York, 1974. Bennett College Collection.

References:

Bennett College Collection, Finding Aid. Millbrook Library Archives.

“Bennett College Turning Point Fund Raising Campaign Pamphlet.” Bennett College Collection, New York Heritage Digital Collection. Accessed June 25, 2026. https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll138/id/1100/rec/3

Dutchess Land Conservancy, "Bennett Park," Success Stories, January 30, 2025. https://www.dutchessland.org/success-stories/bennett-park

Millbrook Community Partnership. Bennett Park. Accessed June 25, 2026. https://www.millbrookbennettpark.org/