Historic Preservation NYSHPO, Restoration, Interior Fit-out, & Site Plan at The Thorne Building – Millbrook, NY

The Thorne Building was constructed in 1894 as a school for the Village of Millbrook. Throughout the years the Thorne Building continued to serve its community as an educational and cultural center, but after the construction of the new Elementary and High School the use of the building greatly diminished, and by the mid-1990’s the building began to fall into disrepair from neglect.

This project is charged with conserving this historic community resource by transforming the Thorne Building into a 501(c)(3)  nonprofit entity, named The Thorne Center. With aspirations to reestablish The Thorne Center as the community hub, the proposed work will entail restoration of the exterior to preserve its historic iconographic façade, and renovation of the interior to offer 21st century functions and amenities to the public. In tandem with building design, site planning and grounds infrastructure will be another component implemented into the design for improvements and beautification to offer additional community space around the site. 

The exterior restoration will preserve and respect the existing historical architectural character of the building, while transforming the building interior into a state-of-the-art community facility. The Thorne Center will have the design flexibility to accommodate a vast variety of venues and cultural uses, as well as educational enrichment opportunities suited to the community. Almost two centuries after its original inception, this building will once again be equipped to both serve and represent its community.