Bread Loaf Campus
History
Set in the Green Mountain National Forest in Ripton, Vermont, the land was acquired in the nineteenth century by Joseph Battell, breeder of Morgan horses, proprietor of the local newspaper, and spirited lover of nature. He added a cupola and three-story wings to an existing Victorian farmhouse, and built a series of cottages to house his summer guests. Ultimately, Battell purchased more than 30,000 acres of forest and farmland in the mountains, and in 1915, willed all of it to Middlebury College. The College established a graduate school of English and American literature-still in session for six weeks every summer-and housed it on the Bread Loaf campus.
Bread Loaf is the oldest writers' conference in America. Since 1926--a generation before "creative writing" became a course of study in educational settings--it has convened in mid-August at the Bread Loaf campus of Middlebury College.
For those who enjoy outdoor living, Bread Loaf is ideally located at the edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. Long Trail is a short hike from the campus. A picnic at the nearby Robert Frost Farm and a tour of the Frost Cabin (Homer Noble Farm) are popular Bread Loaf traditions, as are movies and dances in the Bread Loaf Barn. The extensive campus and nearby rivers offer many opportunities for recreation. A softball and soccer playing field and tennis and volleyball courts are available. Running and hiking trails are everywhere.
In nearby Middlebury you can find country auctions, antique shops, a state crafts center, a fine museum, a movie theater, and riding and golf facilities.
Technology
There are 6 "smart" classrooms in the Bread Loaf Barn. These rooms are all capable of supporting computers, and VHS & DVD projection. Please note that cell phone service is limited at Bread Loaf.
Library and Computer Labs
The Davidson Memorial Library at Bread Loaf hosts a collection of literature, reference books, and reserve shelves. The downstairs “Apple Cellar” is a full-featured computer room (both Macintosh and IBM platforms), including printers and Internet connections for writing, research, and email. Some zip disk drivers are available. Wireless access is available in most public areas.
Parking
Most buildings are within walking distance of the center of the campus. Parking is available next to the main Barn and in the private driveways of the outer houses. Parking on Route 125 is strongly discouraged for safety reasons.
Directions
The Bread Loaf campus is an 20-minute drive away from Middlebury in the Green Mountains. The GPS location found in most Internet map tools is 4229 Route 125, Ripton, Vermont 05766
The nearest airport is located in Burlington, VT (BVT), about an hour and twenty minutes from the Bread Loaf Campus.
The Barn at Bread Loaf
The barn is a great place for dances, readings, picnics, etc. With a giant fireplace to roast your marshmallows for s'mores, you will enjoy your evenings at Bread Loaf. Sit back with your hot chocolate and enjoy.
Annual Events at Bread Loaf
Bread Loaf campus is the site of renowned annual events including:
Bread Loaf Writers' Conference
Robert Frost and the Frost Farm
From 1939 until his death in 1963, Robert Frost spent summer and fall in a cabin at his farm in Ripton, Vermont. During these fruitful seasons he wrote memorable poems and shared his craft at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and Bread Loaf School of English.
The rural isolation that nurtured Frost leaves his home vulnerable today. To secure and maintain this National Historic Landmark, Middlebury College has created the Robert Frost Farm and Cabin Preservation Fund.
