Old Stone Academy

Old Stone Academy. Founded in 1892 by industrialist Phineas T. Caldwell, Old Stone Academy is a private liberal arts college located in Granite Falls, Vermont. The institution is renowned for its rigorous core curriculum, intimate seminar-style instruction, and its historic campus built from locally quarried granite. It consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in publications like U.S. News & World Report.

History

The academy was established through a bequest from Phineas T. Caldwell, a prominent figure in the New England granite industry, who sought to create a school dedicated to classical and practical education. Its early years were shaped by its first president, Reverend Josiah Ware, who emphasized the Great Books tradition. The college survived the Great Depression due to the patronage of the Caldwell family and later expanded significantly in the post-World War II era under President Alistair Finch. Key moments in its development include the admission of women in 1971 following national trends set by the Ivy League, and the establishment of its environmental science program in 1985, aided by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Campus and facilities

The 350-acre campus is situated in the Green Mountains and is a registered National Historic Landmark district, featuring Collegiate Gothic architecture constructed from local granite. Central to campus life is Caldwell Hall, which houses administrative offices and the Ware Chapel. Academic buildings include Finch Library, renowned for its collection of medieval manuscripts, and the Hargrove Science Center, which contains advanced laboratories. Student life centers around the Granite Student Union and several historic residence halls like North Quarry House. The campus also features the Caldwell Arboretum and extensive trails connecting to the Appalachian Trail.

Academic programs

Old Stone Academy operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar and is known for its mandatory two-year Core Curriculum exploring foundational texts from Homer to James Joyce. The college offers over 30 majors, with particularly strong programs in English literature, philosophy, environmental studies, and political science. All seniors complete a capstone thesis project, a tradition modeled after programs at University of Oxford. The academy also runs notable off-campus study programs, including a semester at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and a geology field program in the Badlands National Park.

Notable alumni

Academy graduates have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In public service, alumni include U.S. Senator Margaret Holt and Ambassador to the United Nations Charles Whitaker. Literary figures include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert L. Bell and novelist Cynthia Marsh. In the arts, the academy counts Tony Award-winning director Anya Petrova and sculptor Leo J. Grossman among its graduates. Other distinguished alumni are NASA astronaut Dr. Ian Reeves, Wall Street investor Thomas "Trip" Caldwell III, and historian Dr. Aris Thorne, a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.

Governance and organization

The academy is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, historically chaired by members of the Caldwell family. The current president is Dr. Eleanor Vance, a noted scholar of Victorian literature. Academic affairs are overseen by the Dean of the Faculty, while student life falls under the Dean of Students. The institution is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and is a member of the Annapolis Group of liberal arts colleges. Its financial operations and substantial endowment are managed by the Office of the Treasurer, which reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Category:Liberal arts colleges in Vermont Category:Educational institutions established in 1892 Category:National Historic Landmarks in Vermont