The main buildings at Bennett College, which long served as the southern gateway to Millbrook, were designed by James Ware and originally built as a resort hotel in the 1890s. The hotel failed financially, and in 1907 it was sold to Miss Bennett’s College, which offered a two-year curriculum to the daughters of many prominent families from around the world.

​

With the growing popularity of coeducational education, and the desire by many young women to pursue four-year degrees, Bennett College’s popularity waned in the 1970s, and it eventually declared bankruptcy in 1978.

​

After the college closed its doors, the bulk of the campus transferred ownership several times. In 2014, the then-ownership faced foreclosure for non-payment of real estate taxes and attempted to sell off individual parcels.

​

The Thorne family and Millbrook Tribute Garden stepped in and bought the property.​