There is something uniquely captivating about college campuses — the architecture, the history, the sense that something important has happened here and continues to happen. It's why I always make a point to seek them out. During a recent stay in Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire, that meant a drive up to Dartmouth College in Hanover and a visit to the charming Colby-Sawyer College in nearby New London. I'm endlessly drawn to the diversity of architectural styles these campuses showcase, from soaring Gothic spires and stately Georgian halls to bold modernist structures.
There's another reason I keep finding myself on college campuses: my love for the libraries. They are almost always stunning — grand, quietly dramatic spaces that seem to take their purpose seriously in the best possible way. I'll admit I tend to stick out, wandering through the stacks with a camera in hand and occasionally earning a puzzled look or two from students buried in their books. But it's always worth it. The captures I walk away with never disappoint.
My visit to Dartmouth College began with a striking first impression: the Baker-Berry Library, framed perfectly from The Green. Standing there taking it all in, I found myself imagining how breathtaking the view will be once the trees burst into bloom this spring.
Inside, the library's charm only deepened. The rich dark woodwork and walls lined with aging books gave the space a timeless, scholarly atmosphere. A moment of serendipity came when a book with the Dartmouth logo happened to be jutting out from the shelf right in front of me — as if placed there just for the photo.
What surprised me most was the quiet. For a Friday, the library was remarkably peaceful. As I am Connecticut-based who frequents Yale, I'm used to its libraries buzzing with activity at all hours. It was only later that I learned just how much smaller Dartmouth's student population is compared to Yale's — which suddenly made the tranquility make perfect sense.
Dartmouth had been on my list for a long time — along with every other Ivy League campus — but I hadn't done much research before arriving, still half-unsure whether I'd actually make it there at all.
One of the highlights was stumbling upon the Rauner Library, Dartmouth's special collections home to rare and historic books — think Beinecke at Yale, but with its own distinct character. What struck me most were the ceiling details and the wonderful brightness of the space.
Of all the buildings I encountered on campus, this one captivated me the most. With its striking architecture, I found myself puzzling over its purpose the entire time — was it a dormitory, or an academic building? It wasn't until I got home and did a little digging that I had my answer: it houses Dartmouth's foreign languages departments, making it an academic building through and through.
These were just a few of the beautiful buildings I managed to capture during my time on campus. One detail that particularly caught my eye was the recurring use of dark green shutters against the brick facades — a simple but distinctive touch that gives Dartmouth its cohesive, classic New England character.
I have no doubt I missed plenty more, between not knowing my way around and being pressed for time. It only leaves me with more reason to return. A visit during the height of spring blooms or peak fall foliage is already on my mind — this will certainly not be my last time at Dartmouth.
Just a short walk from campus lies a charming little Main Street, lined with restaurants, shops, and local businesses. I took my time strolling through and soaking up the sights. Along the way, I popped into a bookstore and a couple of gift shops before making my way to the Dartmouth College store — where a mug seemed like the perfect memento to bring home.
With my stay just twenty minutes away, I decided to take a drive to New London, NH. I had no idea what to expect. As I drove through, the campus of Colby-Sawyer College immediately caught my eye. The brick buildings, crisp navy blue shutters, and a classic steeple made for exactly the kind of picturesque New England scene I can never resist. It is a small liberal arts and sciences college, enrolling somewhere between 900 and 1,200 students, which gave the campus a quiet, intimate feel.
But the best part? The trees dotting the campus were hung with sap buckets — countless ones at that. It just so happened to be New Hampshire Maple Weekend, and the timing could not have been more perfect. It was one of those small, serendipitous details.
What made this trip so special was the unknown. I am usually a planner, but sometimes stepping away from the itinerary and embracing the unexpected gives you a new kind of appreciation — for a place. I left New Hampshire with a full camera roll, a new Dartmouth mug, and a deep appreciation for a corner of New England I had long overlooked.
More stories from my trip to Lake Sunapee, NH: