HALCYON DAZE (1890-2010) Halcyon Hall to Bennett College, Millbrook, NY

HALCYON HALL was originally built as a resort hotel in 1890 - the New York Times reported on Sept. 16, 1893 that " THE NEW HALCYON HALL OPENED WITH A BRILLIANT BALL. A Large Number of Well-Known New-Yorkers in Attendance -- A Unique and Costly Country Inn for Summer and Winter -- A Place Where Comfort and Elegance Are Combined -- Beautiful Scenery and Health-giving Atmosphere."

The hotel later became Miss Bennett's Finishing School for Girls and eventually evolved into a women's college. Bennett College closed it's doors in 1978. Many magical care free times were had there in the days when smoke smoldered from bras burned but the sports bra had not yet been invented - and long before. Various plans, dreams and schemes to save beautiful old Halcyon have all failed. The ruins still stand and it's heartbreaking demise is devastating for us all who loved it so dearly to witness - much like Rose in "Titanic".

..."Life promises so much to a pretty girl between the ages of 16 and 25 that she never quite recovers from it. None of our colleges have succeeded in inventing anything to compete with the kind of love that doesn't have to be paid for with responsibility." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

..."It's very difficult to be two simple people at once, one who wants to have a law to itself and the other who wants to keep all the nice old things and be loved and safe and protected." - Zelda Fitzgerald

... "Well the years they flew / and we never knew / we were foolish then / We were never tired / and that little fire / is still alive in me / It will never go away ..." - "This Used To Be My Playground" by Madonna

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• BennettCollege

[pshanaberg]

I was referring to the Hudson River Valley Heritage site - I couldn't post the web site address here but they have a search box - Godey's Magazine on that site has all the plans and old article about it

[pshanaberg]

have you tried this site? Hudson River Valley Heritage - search Halcyon Hall and Bennett College and Godey's Magazine - they have a lot of old stuff including floor plans -especially the Godey's Magazine

[pshanaberg]

It was fabulous! We're all heartbroken over it's demise.

[kergovan]

Hi. I was wondering if you might know where I could find a rough copy of the blueprints that were used to build Halcyon. Or even the ones they used to turn the Hotel into Bennett College.

I am writing a storey and I think this place would make a great setting. I have looked on the internet but can't find anything :(

[schizinsky]

Many thanks for posting this. I haven't been back to Millbrook in about five years, but I've watched the building deteriorate over the decades. Heartbreaking.

My father (Walter Chizinsky, known as "Dr. C") taught biology at Bennett from 1954 to 1967, and I grew up on the campus (and regarded the main building as my personal playground).

[dollybeans]

I meant worp19691 ask away, not 'work' - I don't like spellcheck!

[dollybeans]

I !!!!! It was wonderful. By the time I attended (in the mid 70's) the third floor of the building was already closed due to deterioration. It was a beautiful building, and had wonderful times there. Work, ask away about it. We all love to share. And I agree with pshanaberg. We are all heartbroken about the deterioration. It's like watching a good friend die slowly..

[wopr19691]

Who went to Bennett College for school say "I"? What's it like?! I'm dying to know!

[perfectbark]

@pshanaberg

Yeah, I've been here most of my life for some reason. So these "units" you refer to are the Sr condos now?

[pshanaberg]

@perfectbark - And who was your girlfriend? I've heard stories since then but I never thought of him like that - more like a favorite Uncle. I lived in Unit 5 (or was it 6?) freshman year and 4 Sr. year. Do you live in Millbrook?