Old Mill, Burlington

Old Mill is the oldest and most historically layered building on the campus of the University of Vermont. Originally known as the Main College Building, it traces its origins to the early years of the institution, rising in 1825 on the site of an earlier structure lost to fire just a year before. Its construction began with two separate wings, North and South College, built in stages. Their cornerstones were laid by prominent figures, including Vermont Governor Cornelius P. Van Ness and the visiting Marquis de Lafayette.

A third section, Middle College, was added in 1829, forming a trio of buildings spaced apart to reduce fire risk. Although joined in 1846, they remained internally separate for years. Over time, Old Mill underwent several renovations, including repairs, expansions, and nearby additions, while maintaining its central role on campus. It was recognized as part of the University Green Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Today, Old Mill continues to serve as an academic centre, housing several humanities and social science departments alongside research programmes and cultural initiatives. Its long history, from early campus cornerstone to modern academic hub, reflects both continuity and adaptation within the university’s landscape.