Nathaniel Hawthorne College History

THE BEGINNING: Higher education gave Kenneth McLaughlin a second chance at life. His dream: "To give others the same opportunity he had." A non-profit liberal arts college that would give others the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Mr. McLaughlin, John Berrigan, and Joseph Whelton purchased the Flint Estate in Antrim, New Hampshire.

Brief Overview:

September 16th, 1962 - Opening Day. The College is established and students arrive and move into Dorm rooms. The first day began with breakfast, followed by a convocation service delivered by President McLaughlin.

His message was: "...that they (the students) were part of a new experience = a new college, that their cooperation and understanding would be greatly appreciated, that there was a long way to go in the development of the facilities. However, the most important consideration was that each student would be provided an excellent education. The student, himself, was to determine how far he would progress academically. The students would have an additional advantage over most college students. There would be the opportunity of being a part of the birth of an institution of higher learning."

1968/69. The First Fraternity was set up: Mu Alpha Gamma

1971. Aviation is added to curriculum.

1974. A fire destroyed the BPA building on campus.

1982. Restructure / Merger with F.I.T. Dr. Huebschmann Becomes the new College President. The focus was shifted to Computer Science and Aeronautics. The college official changed its name to Hawthorne College and was re-chartered by the State of New Hampshire.

1983. Dr. Harry P. Weber becomes School President.

1986. Dr. Vincent Fulmer becomes School President.

1988. Hawthorne College is closed.

1990. Hawthorne College purchased by Maruzen Construction Company of Japan. The new owners begin to renovate facilities and plan to reopen the college with a curriculum similar to that of 1986.

1992. Maruzen Hawthorne Aviation begins the Flight Training Program. The college, however, did not reopen as Maruzen Hawthorne. Maruzen's reign is short-lived, and the property is sold off.

1995. The Hawthorne College grounds avoided becoming a State Prison. The Marharishi-Vedic School buys the property. Offering Alternative Healing and Meditation. The Airport facilities are operated by Daniel Webster College.

1996. Hawthorne College Alumni Website is created in memory of the school.

2001. The college grounds and remaining buildings are up for sale again. The images from the Library and President's Office collection are donated to the New Hampshire Historical Society on behalf of all the alumni. Many of the wooden buildings are torn down. Including: Hubbard Hall, Hawthorne Hall, KE/Student Affairs/Cadet Building, and the Science Hall. The other buildings that were previously lost include: the Chateau, Shea Hall, West Hall and the Maintenance Building.

Former Flint Estate

BPA Building before the fire

Formerly in Antrim, New Hampshire