President Baucom, save Battell Hall from demolition

"Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings."

— Jane Jacobs

For 75 years, Battell Hall has served as the first home for freshmen on campus. To many, the transformation of Battell’s adorned ivy into glowing embers is the cherished harbinger of fall’s arrival. It’s no surprise that Battell graced the cover of the ubiquitous Princeton Review’s “The Best 388 Colleges” college guide in 2023, which stands as a testament to Middlebury’s timeless beauty. Living in Battell was a rite of passage. It was cramped. It was worn down. But we wore the badge of Battell with pride. Struggle breeds resilience, and resilience breeds community. That is the legacy of Battell Hall. It is no mere building; Battell has come to be an institution unto itself. Now that institution is under threat.

On Dec. 13, 2024, the Board of Trustees announced plans to demolish Battell Hall to make way for a new 35,000-square-foot art museum. The administration argues that the new museum, aligned with former President Laurie Patton’s vision of an Arts Agora, will provide a central hub that fosters democracy, inclusivity and political engagement through art. I’m all for the arts, but let’s stop hiding behind lofty ideals and have an honest conversation about what we’re really trying to achieve. 

The motivation behind this new museum is the need to display more of Middlebury’s 7,000 strong art collection. On campus, we already have the Mahaney Arts Center (MAC) and the newly renovated Johnson Memorial Building, both of which are used for art exhibitions. Middlebury’s museum is already one of only three percent of museums in the nation accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, placing it alongside giants like Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And yet, apparently, that’s not enough. Middlebury already has a plethora of performance venues: Wright Memorial Building, Dana Auditorium, the MAC, and Wilson Hall are all spaces that can and have been used for performances. If the issue is art storage, then we should build more storage on the outskirts of campus or expand or renovate the MAC to accommodate additional artwork. 

A museum is supposed to be about preserving culture and history. Battell Hall is more than just marble and ivy; it is part of the beating heart that is Middlebury’s history. Its halls have witnessed friendships forged that last a lifetime. It has welcomed returning alumni with memories of an innocent time that feels not so long ago. As a tour guide, I’ll never forget speaking to an elderly alumnus, leaning on their cane, who smiled while looking fondly back on their time at Middlebury and said, "Yes, I lived in Battell." When alumni return to this campus, what draws them back? It’s not the sleek, modern architecture or state-of-the-art facilities. It’s standing before the same Battell Hall they once called home. It’s the connection to something timeless, something hallowed. To sever that connection is to sever a piece of what makes Middlebury, Middlebury.

Let's say the new art museum is worth it in its own right. If we really cared about the arts, why would we tear down, arguably, the most beautiful building on campus in the name of creating an Arts Agora? This is not about resisting change just for the sake of nostalgia. This is about understanding that art and culture doesn't need to be housed in a pristine brand new museum. Art should be lived, preserved and connected to the people who make it matter. Battell Hall itself is a museum, a living artifact. To demolish it in favor of a new building is to betray the artistic ideals the administration claims to champion. If we’re serious about the arts, let's start by recognizing the art intrinsic to Battell Hall.

The practical implications are just as concerning. Alumni outreach and fundraising depend on emotional connections to the campus. Battell Hall has been home to nearly 40% of each freshman class for decades. Imagine alienating over 20,000 former students who once lived in Battell. Imagine the message it sends to future generations: that what they build here can be so easily destroyed.

The college is nearing completion of a new first year hall. This dorm is expected to alleviate the housing crunch that has seen students relegated to off-campus accommodations like Bread Loaf in 2021 and the Inn on the Green in 2023. Some students were even offered $10,000 to take a voluntary leave of absence for the 2023 fall semester and J-Term. With this new dorm in place, the argument goes, there is no need for Battell. Yet, Battell’s halls could still be renovated, its rooms reconfigured into singles to provide greater flexibility for students. It could even be used as storage or display space for our current art collection. The administration is planning on renovating the first year building Stewart Hall, so why not Battell? Battell’s outdated interior should not be maintained, but to demolish it altogether would be an irrevocable loss. Funds should be directed towards renovation and preservation, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of Middlebury’s legacy.

There are other places on campus to expand the arts. There are other ways to invest in creativity. There is only one Battell Hall.

This is about more than a building. This is about true dedication to art and history. The decision to demolish Battell Hall is not just an aesthetic choice; it’s a declaration of what we value and where Middlebury’s priorities lie. I urge the board to reconsider, to engage with the community and to honor our legacy. Let’s not make the mistake of trading history, beauty and meaning for something that may be new but will lack the soul Battell brings to this campus.

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