Protect & Preserve the Legacy of Wells College: “Say No” to Manhattanville as a legacy partner!

The Wells Legacy Society invites all alums and friends of Wells College to sign this petition to the Board of Trustees to 1) oppose the designation of Manhattanville as the recipient of the artifacts, archives, and assets of Wells College and 2) request that the college’s historical heritage resources remain in Aurora and the Finger Lakes region.

Read Background Information:

Wells College was established in central New York, the heart of the national women’s rights movement, as a nonsectarian pioneer of higher education for women. Manhattanville University was founded in New York City by the Roman Catholic Church as a parochial boarding school for young women. Its current campus is 250 miles from Aurora, far removed from the Finger Lakes’ unique cultural and historical landscape.

The artifacts, archives, and assets of Wells College are not mere objects; they are pieces of Finger Lakes history. They represent the legacy of a college that stood the test of time for 156 years, fostering the development of countless leaders. These treasures belong here, in the community that nurtured and supported them.

Recent news reports reveal that Manhattanville University faced significant financial instability within the last two years. How can an institution grappling with such challenges be the appropriate steward of Wells College’s rich legacy?

Many other questions surround the selection of Manhattanville. For example, why was the choice made before it was clear how few students (3) would transfer to Manhattanville? Who made the decision? How was it made? What benefit does it provide, and to whom? What consideration was given to the long-term impact on Aurora and the Wells community?

Such troubling questions can be resolved with a simple change of course. We ask for a reversal of the decision to transfer the heart, soul, and heritage of Wells College to Manhattanville and for the pursuit and creation of local legacy partnerships.

Identifying and establishing suitable local venues to keep the historical resources of Wells College in or near Aurora will be a complex and costly undertaking. The Wells Legacy Society, Inc. is ready to help meet this challenge.

Take Action:

Join us in protecting the legacy of Wells College. Sign the petition to ensure that the history and spirit of Wells College continue to inspire future generations right here in the Finger Lakes.

Join in Support:

We need your help to continue this undertaking and plan for the future. Funds are needed to pay the legal professionals who guide our work and to prepare for preservation and relocation efforts. Your donation, no matter the size, will directly support our mission to keep the heritage of Wells College in the community it has called home for many generations.

Click here to donate today

Together, we can make a difference~

About the Wells Legacy Society:

The Wells Legacy Society is a non-profit organization formed on May 15, 2024, by a group of concerned Wells College alumnae in response to the college’s abrupt and poorly planned decision to close, announced on April 29th.

Our supporters are Wells Alumnae/i and friends of the college spanning generations across the country. Working together, we aim to protect and preserve the artifacts, archives, and assets of Wells College on the Aurora campus and in the Finger Lakes region for generations to come. 

Please click here for more information.