Middlebury College in Vermont — Live Webcam
Vermont's Oldest College on Screen
This live webcam opens up a view of the campus of one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in New England. Middlebury College stretches across the scenic Champlain Valley, and the real-time broadcast allows you to see manicured lawns, walking trails, and the forested area framing the campus. The camera is positioned to capture not only the foreground with its green lawns but also distant parts of the grounds where you can spot golf carts moving and dense tree growth on the hilly terrain.
The college was founded in 1800 by Congregationalists and became the first operating institution of higher education in the state of Vermont. Over more than two centuries of existence, it has transformed from a small provincial school into one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the United States. In 1823, a historic event took place here — Alexander Twilight became the first African American to earn a bachelor's degree from an American college. This fact made Middlebury part of national history in the field of education and civil rights.
Architectural Diversity of the Campus
The main campus occupies 350 acres (about 1.4 km²) in a valley between Vermont's Green Mountains and New York's Adirondack Mountains. The campus sits on a hill and represents a mix of architectural styles — from Federal and Gothic to modern glass structures. Mead Chapel and Old Chapel are the hallmark of the historic part of campus. The BiHall science building draws attention not only as a center for biological research but also thanks to the largest window in the state of Vermont, as well as an observatory with a 24-inch telescope and a greenhouse.
Student Life Traditions
Student life at Middlebury is eventful, with many activities having become traditions. The Winter Carnival, held since 1923, is the oldest student carnival in the United States. This three-day February event includes skiing competitions, an ice skating show, and a snow sculpture contest right on campus. In the early 1990s, the college abolished traditional fraternities, though they continued to exist in the form of social houses. One of the most famous parties — the Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity's Beach Party — has been held since 1975 and remains a popular event during the Winter Carnival.
Notable Alumni
Over more than 200 years of existence, the college has produced many outstanding individuals. Ari Fleischer, White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, graduated from Middlebury in 1982. John Martin Thomas, class of 1890, later became president of three universities — Middlebury, Penn State, and Rutgers. In 2017, the college was among those with the most applications among liberal arts institutions in the US — nearly 9,000 applicants competed for a place at this prestigious institution.
Natural Surroundings and Mountain Campus
In addition to the main campus in Middlebury, the college operates the Bread Loaf mountain campus in Ripton, Vermont. The famous Bread Loaf School of English and the Bread Loaf Inn are located there. The main campus sits in a unique natural setting — the Champlain Valley provides scenic views of the Green Mountains to the east and the Adirondack Mountains to the west. This creates the very landscape that can be observed through the live webcam: rolling hills, dense forests, and spacious green lawns reminiscent of a golf course.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live camera shows the grounds of Middlebury College with spacious green lawns resembling a golf course. In the foreground — a manicured lawn, a walking path with a wooden bench and trash receptacle. In the middle of the frame, dense grass and shrubs are visible. In the distance, you can observe a golf cart moving along a path. Deciduous and coniferous trees spread around the perimeter, and in the background — a dense forest on hilly terrain. The sky is often overcast, which is typical of Vermont's climate. The real-time webcam allows you to see campus dynamics: student movement, changes in lighting throughout the day, and weather conditions in the Champlain Valley.
