The Chateau: Celebrating 100 Years
Perhaps the most eye-catching building on Middlebury’s Campus, The Chateau has a storied past. Built in 1925, The Chateau was a gift from Frederica Holden Proctor, who stipulated that the building must model itself after the 17th century Pavilion Henri IV at the Palace of Fontainebleau in France. The Chateau was the first “language house” in the country and in its earliest conception contained a library, dorm rooms, classrooms, offices, a salon, and dining room.
The photos and objects in this exhibit explore The Chateau’s evolution from 1925 to today. Each case represents a different aspect of The Chateau—language schools, sporting events, social lives—that provides insight into this magnificent structure. This exhibit invites you to delve into the history of one of Middlebury’s most unique buildings, and hopefully to learn something about the lives of past Middlebury students.
Visit the Davis Family Library atrium to view a bilingual exhibition of Chateau archives, curated by Tulip Larson, class of 2025, with translation assistance by Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies Julien Weber.