Year in Review 2016 : The status of Halcyon Hall and the Thorne Building

MILLBROOK — In the summer of 2016, The Millerton News ran a story of two buildings: the Thorne Building, which stands at the corner of Maple and Franklin avenues, and  Bennett College’s Halcyon Hall, at the intersection routes 82 and 343.

The Thorne Building dates from 1895 and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It stands proudly at the top of Franklin Avenue, and to the naked eye, does not look to be in bad shape.  

Halcyon Hall, however, is another story. Looking like something from a horror movie, it’s in obvious decay. It has stood unused since the college closed in 1977.

At a Village Board meeting on Nov. 15, 2016, the Thorne Building and its  future was discussed. The electric meter needed to be replaced and a part of the roof needed to be repaired.  The heat was shut off to cut down on some of the expenses. 

AdhocMillbrook12545 Inc., a local nonprofit organization, and some village residents, are concerned about the Thorne Building. Questions were raised at several board meetings, and some of the Village Board members are looking into the matter, going so far as to contact Oakleigh Thorne about its future. Thorne is a descendant of the Thorne family, which donated the building all those years ago.

As far as Halcyon Hall goes, time and the elements seem to be doing all the work, as no one has been able to find a practical solution.