First-Year Housing

158 South Willard

Housing Type	Contemporary (Room) Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	Upper-year students
Number of Students	33
Distance from the Center of Campus	2 blocks
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom

Description

The French Empire-style building was designed in 1877 by local architect Alfred Benjamin Fisher for Civil War hero Brevet Major General William Wells, who is commemorated with a statue in Burlington’s Battery Park. After the war, Wells expanded his father’s pharmaceutical business into a multimillion-dollar company. Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, Wells’s son-in-law, successfully completed the first cross-country trip across the United States in an automobile in 1903. Original and distinctive features of this hall include fireplaces and ornate woodwork. Students can enjoy marble indoor and outdoor social spaces, and a gazebo for relaxing and socializing.

Location

Located just a block from Main Campus on the corner of Main Street and South Willard Street, 158 South Willard makes it easy for students to engage with our Main Campus and access the Burlington area.

Common Spaces

Common room, kitchen

Outdoor Spaces

Large back lawn

Namesake

N/A

371 Main Street

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	36
Distance from the Center of Campus	3 blocks
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Kitchen break hall that remains open during semester breaks

Description

The Victorian residence was originally built by Alfred B. Fisher for Charles R. and Ella Hayward. Most rooms in this Victorian mansion have large windows, bathing the building with lots of natural light. The Haywards’s elegant residence contains Italianate and Queen Anne-style design elements and still retains many of its Victorian features, including bay windows, pocket doors, a main staircase, and a cupola. The ornate carved stone fireplaces, entry flooring, and wall accents were likely sourced from the Hayward marble business, the Burlington Manufacturing Company. This hall was renovated in 2023 to provide ADA access to the ground floor, updated kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms, an updated living room, and AC/ventilation throughout. 371 Main also has a large lawn, making it an ideal spot for people looking to kick a soccer ball around or just enjoy the Vermont sunshine.

Location

Located in the heart of the college town, 371 Main Street is a quick walk up the street from campus and has many great amenities for its first-year students.

Common Spaces

Common room, full kitchen

Outdoor Spaces

Large lawn

Namesake

N/A

396 Main Street

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	Upper-year students
Number of Students	36
Distance from the Center of Campus	4 blocks
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Student lounge

Description

Originally constructed in 1902 for Burlington banker Frederick Ward, this Tudor-style residence was first acquired by Champlain College in 1966. Champlain used it as a dormitory for a period of time and then repurchased it in 2001. The residence hall’s front lawn, common area lounge, and shaded porches encourage gathering and conversation. Students in this residence can simply walk down the hill and enjoy the activity of downtown Burlington, making the hall a great balance between campus and off-campus life.

Location

A short stroll up the street from Main Campus, 396 Main Street conveniently provides students with easy access to both campus life and the bustle of Burlington.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Side porch

Namesake

N/A

Bader Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	21
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Proximity to campus and shuttle stop

Description

Originally constructed in 1873, Bader Hall was home to Edward Lyman, a Burlington business owner, his wife, Minerva, and their daughter, also named Minerva (Minnie). Minnie and her husband Robert Roberts inherited the house and lived there while Roberts served as Mayor of Burlington. After Champlain College bought the property in 1960, it served as an administration building before becoming a residence hall. The hall has been fully renovated, creating an inviting student experience while carefully honoring the elegant architectural features, such as restored millwork, doorways, and lighting fixtures. The hall has been outfitted with geothermal heating and cooling to support Champlain’s commitment to sustainability. Bader neighbors the Center for Communication & Creative Media (CCM), the IDX Student Life Center, and is just a short walk away from other academic buildings.

Location

Conveniently located in the central campus at the corner of Maple and South Willard streets, Bader Hall boasts beautiful west-facing views of Lake Champlain for students to enjoy.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

CCM Building, Campus Shuttle Stop

Namesake

Champlain President C. Bader Brouilette chose the name Bader Hall to honor his mother, Edith Bader. The formal name of the building is Edith Bader Hall.

Bankus Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	45
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Student lounge

Description

Architect Alfred B. Fisher designed this property, which was built in 1889 for prominent Burlington lawyer Henry Ballard, who resided there until 1902. The building was home to several families before being converted to a dormitory in 1946. Champlain College purchased it in 1992. The house has undergone extensive renovation since its purchase. Complete with porches and a student lounge, this hall is a space to create community, and one can often find a hammock or two in front of Bankus on warm evenings. Another popular feature is a large front yard—perfect for meeting students from other halls and hanging outside to toss a Frisbee or watch the stars (the lack of light pollution here makes the stars incredible)! The hall is close to the Champlain Community Garden.

Location

Located across the street from the Main Campus on South Willard Street, Bankus Hall is nestled between two other first-year residence halls, Jensen and Rowell. Students can enjoy close proximity to campus resources and plenty of outdoor and community spaces.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Side porch

Namesake

Bankus Hall was named for John Bankus, Vice President of Finance at Champlain College from 1965 to 1977.

Carriage House

Housing Type	Contemporary (Room)
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	10
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Smallest resident hall on campus

Description

Constructed in 1895, this structure originally housed carriages and later automobiles for Oliver and Sarah Presbry, who built 109 Summit Street. The carriage house was converted to a family home in the 1930s and acquired by Champlain College in 1994, when it served, initially, as the residence of the President of the College. Home to the smallest number of students, Carriage House fosters a tightly knit residential community.

Location

Located near the Miller Information Commons (aka the library), Carriage House is ideal for students who want to live in a central campus location and experience a small, close-knit residential community.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Next to Aiken Quad

Namesake

The hall is named after its original function, housing carriages!

Hill Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	37
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Lyman Hall’s twin

Description

Hill Hall is a twin to Lyman Hall, both of which were built by Alfred B. Fisher in 1884 for the Dunham brothers, successful lumber barons. This renovated turn-of-the-century mansion boasts beautiful woodwork and charm on the inside and out. It’s just across the street from Finney Quad and close to neighboring halls Lyman and McDonald, making it a perfect community space. Students can enjoy gathering and relaxing in common areas and the front yard.

Location

Sitting right on the corner of South Willard Street and Maple Street, Hill Hall is located directly across from Main Campus. Students are just steps away from the center of the action, making getting to class and on-campus activities a breeze.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Front yard, rear covered porch

Namesake

The hall was named after Ralph Nading Hill Jr., a well-known and respected Vermont author who was raised in this home and wrote the first history of Champlain College, The Invisible College.

Jensen Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	Transfer students Upper-year students
Number of Students	36
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	The famous Champlain tower room

Description

Jensen Hall was designed and built in 1888 by father and son Alfred B. and Clellan Fisher for William Loomis. Of its several owners, Walter Gates, City Editor of The Burlington Free Press, lived there from 1904 to 1938. The hall’s two-level “tower room” is one of Champlain’s best-known architectural features. Jensen is located beside Bankus and Rowell, two other Champlain first-year residence halls, which all have front yards for outdoor activities. This trio offers the chance to build relationships with students both in and outside of the hall. In addition, students are right next to other campus resources, such as the Champlain Community Garden and Champ Support. There are many stories and legends about this house, including a claim that the house is haunted by the ghost of a sea captain who was one of the early owners and whose wife liked to climb into the tower and watch for his ship to sail into Burlington harbor. Note: There is no evidence that this story, or the resulting ghost, is true.

Location

Sitting in the Burlington Hill Section right across from the Main Campus, Jensen Hall is located beside two other Champlain first-year residence halls. This hall is a great spot for students who want to enjoy the Burlington community while still being close to campus.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Front Lawn

Namesake

The hall was named for Albert Jensen, President C. Bader Brouilette’s partner in the purchase of Champlain College.

Lyman Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	36
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Hill Hall’s twin

Description

Lyman Hall is a twin to Hill Hall, both of which were built by Alfred B. Fisher in 1884 for the Dunham brothers, successful lumber barons. The home was subsequently home to a wealthy merchant and later a department store owner, among other residents. Lyman Hall’s original garage and chauffeur’s residence is now used by the College at West House. This turn-of-the-century mansion has some of the most beautiful interior woodwork on the Champlain College campus. Students can enjoy Lyman’s common room, porch, and front lawn to gather and relax.

Location

Located right in the middle of campus, Lyman Hall sits directly in the heart of the Champlain community. With its proximity to campus and its neighbor Hill Hall, Lyman makes it easy for its residents to get involved with campus life.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Front lawn

Namesake

The building was named Lyman Hall by then Champlain President C. Bader Brouilette to honor both the family that had lived there for so long and two faculty members of the same name who had made significant contributions to the College.

McDonald Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	45
Distance from the Center of Campus	1 block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Located on Finney Quad

Description

Originally designed by architect Walter R.B. Willcox for prominent businessman and banker Charles P. Smith and his wife, Anna, the Romanesque Revival residence remained in the family until it was acquired by Champlain College in 1979. The stately Victorian-era hall underwent a sustainability-focused renovation in 2022 yet preserved its rich 126-year history. The building is now 100% fossil-fuel free and uses green technologies like geothermal for heating and cooling. Students can enjoy new furnishings alongside original features, including a grand staircase, elegant paneled common room, unique fireplaces, and porches. The updated residence hall balances historic preservation with Champlain’s commitment to modern accessibility, comfort, and sustainability.

Location

Centrally located on the corner of Maple Street and South Willard Street, McDonald Hall sits right in the middle of the action. Students can enjoy our lively Main Campus just a few steps away and Finney Quad in the backyard.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Large front yard, off of Finney quad

Namesake

The hall was named in honor of Verne McDonald, the Vice President and Director of Admissions at the College from 1964 to 1989.

Pearl Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	49
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Closest residence to dining hall

Description

Built by architect Alfred B. Fisher as his family home in 1889, Pearl Hall is of particular importance to the history of Burlington and Champlain College. Among its many owners before its purchase by Champlain in 1968, the home was at one point owned by J. Holmes Jackson, a prominent dentist and several times Mayor of Burlington. Its central common room is perfect for chatting with friends or playing board games. Pearl’s large front porch is a famous hangout spot on campus; on sunny days, students can be found playing music, doing homework, or lounging in hammocks, and as the sun sets, students can take in the beauty of a Vermont evening.

Location

Located in the center of Champlain’s campus on South Willard Street, Pearl Hall sits in the heart of student life. Students can enjoy easy access to the dining hall, academic buildings, and more.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Large front porch

Namesake

The building was named Pearl Hall to honor H. Dean Pearl, former Principal of Burlington High School, Professor of Education at the University of Vermont, and for seven years the Director of Admissions at Champlain College.

Rowell Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	44
Distance from the Center of Campus	Less Than 1 Block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Air-conditioning

Description

Originally constructed in 1919, this renovated Greek Revival mansion is a truly distinctive space. The original owner, Roy Leonard Patrick, was the Treasurer of the G.S. Blodgett Company and President of the Rock of Ages Corporation in Barre, and he held other prominent positions in the stone industry. The house remained in the Patrick family until 1953 and was purchased and fully renovated by Champlain College in 1972. Rowell is located beside two other Champlain first-year residence halls, Jensen and Bankus, offering students the perfect opportunity to make friends in and outside of their hall. The spacious front lawn is a popular spot to hang out, stargaze, play Frisbee, and bask in the sunshine. This is the perfect pick for students who want uniquely designed rooms, green space, and a picture-worthy exterior.

Location

Located beside two other first-year residence halls and directly across from Main Campus on South Willard Street, Rowell students are close to campus amenities and events.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Large Front Yard

Namesake

Rowell Hall was named in honor of Lyman S. Rowell, a former Trustee of Champlain College.

Schillhammer Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	26
Distance from the Center of Campus	1 block
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Adjoining semiprivate bathrooms

Description

Built in 1895, the original owners of the house, Oliver and Sarah Presbry, lived in this Victorian-era residence from 1895 to 1921. The house was then occupied by various families, most notably James Cashman, a Burlington City Engineer. In 1994, Champlain College purchased the house and converted it to its current use. Champlain also purchased this building’s carriage barn, known as Carriage House, which also houses first-year students. Schillhammer is great for students who don’t want to be in the center of campus but prefer to be conveniently close to their classes. Many of the rooms have adjoining semiprivate bathrooms, and a few offer spectacular views of beautiful Lake Champlain and the gorgeous evening sunsets.

Location

Located on the corner of Cedar Lane and Summit Street, Schillhammer Hall is close to the Miller Information Commons (aka the library) on the backside of the campus. Students can enjoy a small, close-knit living environment and views of Lake Champlain.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Porch

Namesake

The hall is named in honor of Richard Schillhammer, a former Trustee of Champlain College. Schillhammer graduated from Champlain College (when it was called Burlington Business College) in 1934. He founded Queen City Printers Inc. in Burlington in 1951; the company remains in business today.

South House

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	Upper-year students
Number of Students	47
Distance from the Center of Campus	2 blocks
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Quiet area

Description

This colonial revival mansion was originally constructed in 1886 by architect John McLaughlin as a summer home for Lorenzo and Mary Woodhouse. Lorenzo served as the Treasurer of the Merchant’s Bank in Burlington. Ten years later, the Woodhouses renovated and expanded their home, adding a servants’ wing. After the Woodhouses sold the home in 1929, it went through several additional owners before being acquired by Champlain College in 1996. This expansive hall marks the southern boundary of Main Campus in a beautiful area of Burlington. This larger residence hall is home to a robust community of students, providing ample opportunities to meet new people. Residents enjoy two lounges to engage in hall activities throughout the year and a spacious back porch, perfect for engaging with friends and enjoying the beautiful evening weather in Vermont.

Location

South House is located at the corner of Cliff and South Willard streets in a quieter, more residential part of Burlington’s Hill Section. Students have the opportunity to engage with a large community of students in this grand hall.

Common Spaces

Common room

Outdoor Spaces

Front and back lawns

Namesake

N/A

Summit Hall

Housing Type	Victorian-Era Mansion
Housing for…	First-year students
Number of Students	48
Distance from the Center of Campus	2 blocks
Types of Rooms	Standard Bedroom
Features	Gender-inclusive for first-years break hall that remains open during breaks kitchen

Description

The original part of the house was built in 1893 for Samuel Emerson, a University of Vermont professor, and a modern wing was added to the south side of the building in 1962. Champlain College acquired the house in 1990 and completed extensive renovations. This stately brick building is appreciated for its many unique rooms and boasts a large lounge, which can be used for practicing and playing musical instruments, watching movies, or engaging in one of many frequent social or educational residence hall programs. Students who live here get to enjoy a big common space and the largest lawn on campus. The hall is ideal for games and social activities. Summit Hall is open during all school-year breaks, making it a perfect home for international students or students who want to be on campus during vacations.

Location

Summit Hall is located in the heart of the Burlington Hill Section, close to the Miller Information Commons (aka the library) and the Main Campus. Students can enjoy the largest lawn on campus at this hall.

Common Spaces

Common room, kitchen

Outdoor Spaces

Biggest lawn on campus

Namesake

N/A