Very nicely done. My father was a teacher here from 1962 until 1973. We lived in a house just across the road and the main building front/hill was our daily view. Being young kids, we had free range across the entire property. Using the gym, sledding off the hill, tennis courts- both clay and hard surface, and best of all, treasure hunts when the students left for the summer. The faculty lived in various houses that surrounded the campus. The drama department was up in Harkaway Hall, which is not in these pictures. The auditorium that connected the old main building and the new dormitory building is where I saw films that were way past my age rating. Imagine seeing Un Chien Andalou and other "art films" when you were maybe 8 years old. It was a wonderful time.
Thank you for sharing your story, and very sorry for the delay in our reply. The true essence of a place, its spirit, comes from the connections people made within its walls. In the case of Halcyon Hall, it seems to be near overflowing with memories.
This video haunts me. The music moves me to tears and I watch your beautiful photography dance so perfectly with this heartbreaking melody over and over again. I have fallen in love with Whitesand and have purchased Melody of my Dreams. I Thank you for giving me so much pleasure. I will be devastated when this magnificent building succumbs.
Thank you so much. Halcyon Hall holds a special place in our hearts, as it does in so many others. We re-edited this video several times before we felt like it properly conveyed the emotions we wanted to share. Also, thank you for supporting the musical artist, they are phenomenal.
Really enjoyed this historical video. The yearbook photos really put things into perspective! I have seen several other documented videos none share the compassion represented in this one.
The second picture is Andrea Marcovicci, actress singer. She was one of my father's students. I lived in a house across from Halcyon Hall from 1962 until 1973.
I hate to share this update on Halcyon Hall or Bennett School for Girls, she is gone, she is no more, she is but a memory now. She'll live on through videos like this outstanding one from Antiquity Echoes. Goodbye, Halcyon, you'll be missed.
Thank you for posting this update. We already knew ourselves, as we have been documenting every phase of the heartbreaking demolition. Soon we will share what we captured, though it will surely upset quite a few people 💔
i live right in millbrook and this thing spooks me out one time i rode my bike by the place and i saw lights am pretty sure it was some high schoolers but idk some time i got to go look around in there before the hole thing comes down.
Thank you! Some of this footage, as well as the imagery on our website, was featured in our 2015 coffee-table book 'Antiquity Echoes: A Photographed Tour of Abandoned America' by Skyhorse Publishing. We actually have a load more material that isn't online yet, as we are planning to eventually utilize it in a much larger project about Halcyon Hall. That said - We adore this place and wanted to create something that channeled our feelings about it, as well as those of the numerous people we have spoken with who knew it in much better times than these. Hopefully, some of that came through here.
Were you able to fly your drone into the auditorium and down hallways? That must have required master navigating! The place has been fenced off with barb wire for a few years now, and I see you just posted this in December .... amazing drone work!!
Thank you! To answer your question - No we did not fly the drone within the old hall. Besides being a very difficult flight path, the rotors would have surely kicked up massive clouds of dust.
@@AntiquityEchoes so here's what I don't understand ... you say the drone did Not enter the building .... and it's impossible, now, for humans to get in, .... so How did you film/get the footage at 0:42-0:44 and at 1:10-1:12 and at 2:05-2:08 and at 2:46-2:47?? ... been driving me nuts for a couple months now ....
@@groofoot it’s not impossible to get into, but it’s likely you will get caught or crash through a rotten floor. Since the local land barons bought it, the cops are arresting and charging with no quarter given.
Great shots, it has a combination vibe of old mansion and haunted house. Would have been cool to see it restored but I just read an article dated last week that says demolition on it has begun
I used to pass by this place from Dover Plains to Poughkeepsie as a kid - in the 80s - even then it was empty - and grand in its repose. Having visited many times thereafter; Its sad to see such a place fall into decay.
@@AntiquityEchoes Yes, I visited her many times later to take photos. Like other nearby places, the sense of loss pervades this place, now demolished it seems. So sad. The grand building my grandmother told me of in like 1982 (or so) still had a chance. Such a waste. Even if Bennett had become more of a wrekage than a building - its still a sad loss.
@@AntiquityEchoes looking forward to it! It’ll be bittersweet, I wish I would’ve been able to explore the inside. Sad that this place was neglected and left to rot the way it was. If the water pipes were properly drained before the heat was turned off - there’s a chance that the building would’ve survived in a fairly decent shape long enough for someone to save it…that didn’t happen unfortunately.
Wow, I live in the areas and I'm also heavy into urbex photography as well. Did you really film this in 2020? I know the place is surrounded by cameras and how bad were the floors?
Thank you! Speaking with several alumni throughout the years made documenting Bennett a truly somber experience. So many people knew these halls, rooms, and chambers, and remembered it all so fondly. It was impossible not to think about them the entire time we were filming, and we hope at least some of that came through in this video.
I wonder how much it would cost to repair, update and reuse a place like this....the damn place has to be gutted anyways, might as well make it useable considering. For the number of people in the world, you'd think abandon places wouldnt be abandoned so easily.
We filmed the interior years ago, when ownership of the property was in a weird limbo. After it's most recent purchase we were permitted to do aerial captures with our drones, but unfortunately the interior had degraded to such a state that seeking legal access isn't realistic anymore. It's just too dangerous nowadays.
You're right, they tried to become unisex at the end but it failed. We spoke with an alumni from the last year of the school, they said there were only a handful of men and they slept in rooms in the dorm basement. A funny anecdote, but we left it out due to it breaking the tone of the piece.
@@AntiquityEchoes Interesting side note: One of my best friends to this day actually applied to Bennett when we graduated high school in 1975 and he was accepted but decided to go to Iona College with me instead. I guess he made a good choice!
Very nicely done. My father was a teacher here from 1962 until 1973. We lived in a house just across the road and the main building front/hill was our daily view. Being young kids, we had free range across the entire property. Using the gym, sledding off the hill, tennis courts- both clay and hard surface, and best of all, treasure hunts when the students left for the summer. The faculty lived in various houses that surrounded the campus. The drama department was up in Harkaway Hall, which is not in these pictures. The auditorium that connected the old main building and the new dormitory building is where I saw films that were way past my age rating. Imagine seeing Un Chien Andalou and other "art films" when you were maybe 8 years old. It was a wonderful time.
Thank you for sharing your story, and very sorry for the delay in our reply. The true essence of a place, its spirit, comes from the connections people made within its walls. In the case of Halcyon Hall, it seems to be near overflowing with memories.
This video haunts me. The music moves me to tears and I watch your beautiful photography dance so perfectly with this heartbreaking melody over and over again. I have fallen in love with Whitesand and have purchased Melody of my Dreams. I Thank you for giving me so much pleasure. I will be devastated when this magnificent building succumbs.
Thank you so much. Halcyon Hall holds a special place in our hearts, as it does in so many others. We re-edited this video several times before we felt like it properly conveyed the emotions we wanted to share. Also, thank you for supporting the musical artist, they are phenomenal.
Brilliant! Never seen these pics before!!!
Makes me nostalgic for a place I’ve never been. The destruction has begun; they expect to finish by March 2022. RIP, Halcyon.
Really enjoyed this historical video. The yearbook photos really put things into perspective! I have seen several other documented videos none share the compassion represented in this one.
YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST...THANKS
Great job, you two! I see you have added a drone to your equipment! My favorite abandoned building of all time. Long may it stand!
There's a bit less standing with every year 💔
The second picture is Andrea Marcovicci, actress singer. She was one of my father's students. I lived in a house across from Halcyon Hall from 1962 until 1973.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing this here.
I hate to share this update on Halcyon Hall or Bennett School for Girls, she is gone, she is no more, she is but a memory now. She'll live on through videos like this outstanding one from Antiquity Echoes. Goodbye, Halcyon, you'll be missed.
Thank you for posting this update. We already knew ourselves, as we have been documenting every phase of the heartbreaking demolition. Soon we will share what we captured, though it will surely upset quite a few people 💔
@SerpentInside Yes, she, like a ship. It was a school for girls, so it works as well.
Beautifully done. I’m surprised this death 💀 trap is still standing. Still, it’s easy to see the beauty that once was.
Having only ever knew it ourselves as a ruin, we wholeheartedly agree.
Its a shame. It would still be standing strong if it wasn't abandoned. Old buildings last forever as long as they are cared for.
i live right in millbrook and this thing spooks me out one time i rode my bike by the place and i saw lights am pretty sure it was some high schoolers but idk some time i got to go look around in there before the hole thing comes down.
I recently purchased your Asylums of the Northeast book.
Thanks for the support! Hope you enjoy it.
My new favorite channel
Thanks!
Beautifully captured. Such an amazing place. I can not recall of any of these shots are in any of your books?
Thank you! Some of this footage, as well as the imagery on our website, was featured in our 2015 coffee-table book 'Antiquity Echoes: A Photographed Tour of Abandoned America' by Skyhorse Publishing. We actually have a load more material that isn't online yet, as we are planning to eventually utilize it in a much larger project about Halcyon Hall. That said - We adore this place and wanted to create something that channeled our feelings about it, as well as those of the numerous people we have spoken with who knew it in much better times than these. Hopefully, some of that came through here.
@@AntiquityEchoes Thank you.. now I’ll relook there for I own all of your books.
Such a shame to see such a beautiful building with so much history left in ruins. It should've been saved. Cool video though. Thanks for sharing!
It is a shame to see it rot away, but It lives on in its prime in many stories, we've heard our fare share.
Were you able to fly your drone into the auditorium and down hallways? That must have required master navigating! The place has been fenced off with barb wire for a few years now, and I see you just posted this in December .... amazing drone work!!
Thank you! To answer your question - No we did not fly the drone within the old hall. Besides being a very difficult flight path, the rotors would have surely kicked up massive clouds of dust.
Did you go into the building yourself?
@@AntiquityEchoes so here's what I don't understand ... you say the drone did Not enter the building .... and it's impossible, now, for humans to get in, .... so How did you film/get the footage at 0:42-0:44 and at 1:10-1:12 and at 2:05-2:08 and at 2:46-2:47?? ... been driving me nuts for a couple months now ....
@@groofoot it’s not impossible to get into, but it’s likely you will get caught or crash through a rotten floor. Since the local land barons bought it, the cops are arresting and charging with no quarter given.
Great shots, it has a combination vibe of old mansion and haunted house. Would have been cool to see it restored but I just read an article dated last week that says demolition on it has begun
I used to pass by this place from Dover Plains to Poughkeepsie as a kid - in the 80s - even then it was empty - and grand in its repose.
Having visited many times thereafter; Its sad to see such a place fall into decay.
Would have been an amazing restoration project if it were caught early enough, sadly it looks like that chance is long gone.
@@AntiquityEchoes Yes, I visited her many times later to take photos. Like other nearby places, the sense of loss pervades this place, now demolished it seems. So sad. The grand building my grandmother told me of in like 1982 (or so) still had a chance. Such a waste.
Even if Bennett had become more of a wrekage than a building - its still a sad loss.
You guys should capture it’s demolition - like to capture it’s demise ya know. Anyways great vid!
We are hoping to, sad as it will be to see firsthand 💔
@@AntiquityEchoes looking forward to it! It’ll be bittersweet, I wish I would’ve been able to explore the inside. Sad that this place was neglected and left to rot the way it was. If the water pipes were properly drained before the heat was turned off - there’s a chance that the building would’ve survived in a fairly decent shape long enough for someone to save it…that didn’t happen unfortunately.
Magnifique image et bonjour de la France ✌️
Thank you, and bonjour.
GOOD YOU MADE THIS ITS ALL BEING TORN DOWN STARTING TODAY SO SAD !!
We have been documenting the ongoing demolition. It's heartbreaking.
@@AntiquityEchoes ty for doing that ! Love that place!!
There's no way to save the building anymore. They should just bulldoze it. It would be more dignified if the building wasn't left to rot more.
They are working on doing just that, demolition began on the grounds some weeks ago now. Though beyond saving, it will still be sad to see it go.
this is a movie.... SO DOPE!!!
Wow, I live in the areas and I'm also heavy into urbex photography as well. Did you really film this in 2020? I know the place is surrounded by cameras and how bad were the floors?
Oh no, our most recent footage featured here was some 2019 drone stuff. Our last time inside was some years ago now.
Magnificent!
Thank you! Speaking with several alumni throughout the years made documenting Bennett a truly somber experience. So many people knew these halls, rooms, and chambers, and remembered it all so fondly. It was impossible not to think about them the entire time we were filming, and we hope at least some of that came through in this video.
wow this is great. I'm curious, how'd you get the drone in there?
Thank you. As for the drone, we used it exclusively for exteriors, and did not bring it within.
@@AntiquityEchoes Ahh gotcha, so how did you guys shoot the interior?
Awesome place, sad to see such things fallin into ruins ...
A sad loss, especially when you see more and more caving in each year. Any winter now can be its last.
I wonder how much it would cost to repair, update and reuse a place like this....the damn place has to be gutted anyways, might as well make it useable considering. For the number of people in the world, you'd think abandon places wouldnt be abandoned so easily.
If only.
Is this place still standing?
Yes, though less and less each year.
Update - Not for much longer, as demolition has begun on the property.
@@AntiquityEchoes damn :/
It looks like a stereotypical haunted house.
Great drone footage as always.
I take it security was more lenient on you, and you had permission?
We filmed the interior years ago, when ownership of the property was in a weird limbo. After it's most recent purchase we were permitted to do aerial captures with our drones, but unfortunately the interior had degraded to such a state that seeking legal access isn't realistic anymore. It's just too dangerous nowadays.
Echoes is back.
We never left 😎
The school actually wend co-ed in it's last year which I believe was 1976.
You're right, they tried to become unisex at the end but it failed. We spoke with an alumni from the last year of the school, they said there were only a handful of men and they slept in rooms in the dorm basement. A funny anecdote, but we left it out due to it breaking the tone of the piece.
@@AntiquityEchoes Interesting side note: One of my best friends to this day actually applied to Bennett when we graduated high school in 1975 and he was accepted but decided to go to Iona College with me instead. I guess he made a good choice!
Seems it, but to have seen Halcyon Hall in operation would have surely been an experience.
SUPER SAD
It reminds me of the uncharted 3 chateau