One of my favorite forgotten places.

When it comes to forgotten places, this one is among my favorites. I remember the first time I saw it, I remember wondering how a place this beautiful, this big, this magnificent could become forgotten.

I love to revisit my photos from previous visits (my previous blog posts on it can be found here, here and here). Each time I notice something that I somehow missed before. 

I love the windows. I know I say that in almost every post about some forgotten place, but these windows are really amazing. Different sections of the building have different windows, and I love wandering around seeing all of them.

 My last visit here, I started and ended at this spot. I love how the building changes in different light.

Although the building above is the main building, the house below was also part of the college. I don't know much about this and wonder if this was the science building? If anyone reading this knows, please email me jessicacollinsphotography@gmail.com.

The forgotten place that calls me back...

A year ago, I visited the most amazing forgotten school.  Last week I went back for another visit.

Out of all the places I have photographed, this has remained one of my favorites. I have wanted to go back since about an hour after I got home from my last visit (you can read about my last visit here and here).

Rumor is that her days are numbered so I knew needed to make a trip back immediately. I could see the difference a year made, especially in this picture. 

Even in her forgotten state with broken windows and collapsed walls and floors, there is this magical moment as you arrive when you see this beautiful building in the distance.  As we got close, my heart started racing...this building really is still magical and beautiful. If I could go back in time and see it in its prime, I would in a heartbeat. I stand outside and study it, and imagine what it was like 40, 50, 60 years ago.

There are many broken windows, missing doors, boarded doors and windows, and yet these amazing details still exist. I am a bit obsessed with the windows. 

If you look through the window on the left, in the photo below, you can see light from places where the roof is collapsing. 

Can you believe this was an unsuccessful hotel? I wish I could have been a guest here 100+ years ago. 

This is one of my favorite photos from the day. While the opposite side of the building is massive and beautiful and captivating, this side has details and forgotten beauty that can not be overlooked.

This is only the beginning of the photos from this trip, so keep watching for another blog post on this amazing forgotten place.

If you aren't already following me on facebook, be sure to "like" my page. I put up sneak peeks of these fabulous places as I find them, so you will get a glimpse before the blog post.

I need to revisit Bennett College

Since my visit to Bennett College, I've been thinking about how I would like to photograph it in spring.  I haven't had the chance to make the trip back there yet, but decided to revisit the photos from my last visit. I didn't include the photos below in my original Bennett post, but in looking at them today, I am reminded that even 100 photos probably wouldn't be enough to capture Bennett College.

This was our first view of Bennett College. We were at a crossroad wondering which way to go, when we looked to right and realized we had arrived.

I love the windows the best. There are so many different windows as you make your way around the main building and each one is captivating in its own unique way.

Windows, to me, are kind of like eyes. They give you glimpses into the the life that went on inside those walls. I love the handrail that can be seen through the window below. I don't want to trespass into any of the buildings of Bennett College (as curious as I am to see what they look like inside). I made that choice for three reasons. One, I am a chicken. I've heard from others who have gone in that so many floors are collapsed. Two, I am a chicken. I realize that I am repeating myself, but I'm also a chicken I would get caught. Now, if I could get permission to enter and explore, I would be over the moon. And three, I kind of like wondering what they were like, and just seeing the little glimpses I can through the windows.

I love the remains on the window shade on the center window of the bay widows. It's the only widow that was still in tact in this part of the building.

Hopefully soon, I will be sharing some Bennett College in springtime photos.

Bennett College

Many years ago, a few friends and I were going up to Millbrook to visit someone. We passed this gorgeous abandoned building, and I remember thinking "I need to come back and see that again someday." Years passed, but I didn't forget how beautiful that building was despite the fact that it was falling apart.

Recently, I started researching it, because I was curious how something so beautiful could be forgotten I discovered the main building, Halcyon Hall was built in 1893 as a hotel. It was an amazing 5 story, 200 room building. The hotel wasn't very successful, and became the home to Bennett College around 1907. Now that I knew a little bit about the building, it was time to find it.

We set off on our road trip knowing only a nearby intersection. We arrived at that point, and caught a glimpse of the building. It was more amazing than I remembered.

The magnitude of the building is almost overwhelming. I wanted to take it all in, and tried to slowly appreciate all of the amazing details.




We made our way around the outside of the property (we never crossed the "keep out" fence), and each view was more interesting than the last.



I love this window.


Nearby, we found a newer dorm. It too was forgotten, and although not structurally as beautiful as the main building, it was still interesting. Notice the lonely yellow chair on the second floor.

There is such a captivating beauty in this building, that I can't wait to go back and photograph it again.