The Landmark Society of Western New York has included the Wells College on its “Five to Revive” list for 2025. According to the group, the distinction “identifies opportunities for targeted strategic revitalization.”
The Landmark Society wrote, “After 156 years of operation, Wells College on the shores of Cayuga Lake announced its closure and listing for sale this past year. The college is home to many National Register buildings, including an 1852 Tuscan villa, 1858 Gothic Revival home, and the 1890 brick main building. The 1968 Brutalist library has also been designated as a local historic landmark.
“Unfortunately, as part of the closure Wells College decided against turning on the heat in many of its buildings this winter, and they also turned off all water and drained the pipes, creating potential for mildew and rot as well as damage to structures and artifacts. There is no way of knowing the true damage until the end of winter, but we encourage better care of the site, both by its current trustees and future owner. The college’s historically significant architecture has made it a key landmark for the town of Aurora.
“The campus is currently up for sale by CBRE of Syracuse, and Cayuga County has assessed the campus at $8.5 million. Nearby colleges have been notified, and there appears to be some initial interest for use as a boarding school, while other ideas are being circulated among advocate groups. For now, the duty to protect the college’s significant physical assets falls to the college’s trustees, and their decisions will impact the local community. The economies of small college towns, especially those in primarily rural areas, are highly tied to the activities of the college and its students. Better care and rehabilitation of this historic campus could stimulate the local economy by providing jobs and generating business.”
Wells College listed the 127-acre campus for sale last November.
Three groups have placed bids on the Aurora campus.
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