AMHERST — At the perimeter of Hampshire College are several institutions that attract visitors from across the region, all brought to the South Amherst location to reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the campus.
The idea for what became known as the Hampshire College Cultural Village, the brainchild of then-President Gregory Prince in the early 1990s, has grown to include the National Yiddish Book Center, which moved to its new building in 1997; the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, which opened in 2002; and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, which relocated to its new home in 2017.
But even though the college is closing at the end of the year and has announced that the Red Barn, used for event space, and the Hampshire College Farm, where more than 120 community-supported agriculture shares are sold, will also be ending their operations, those that have been the foundation of the cultural village will remain in place.
In its announcement, the college wrote, “All three cultural institutions are independent of Hampshire College and are expected to continue operations. We are working with the leadership of these organizations to assure that any logistical or other issues created by the college’s closure are addressed.”
For their part, the institutions each released statements about their futures.
At the Yiddish Book Center, a clearinghouse for 1.3 million Yiddish manuscripts, the president noted that its land and building, which are privately owned, would not be affected, and its work will continue uninterrupted.
“We are saddened by Hampshire College’s announcement,” said Susan Bronson, president of the Yiddish Book Center. “Hampshire has been a valued neighbor for many years, and we recognize the significance of this moment for its community.”
Bronson added that the center will remain in communication with local and state officials as future possibilities are considered.
In a similar way, the Carle expressed sadness but also thanks for the college being a “wonderful neighbor.”
“The Carle is an independent organization, and our operations will not be impacted,” its statement reads.
The Hitchcock Center, too, is feeling the loss of the college, observing how its mission and impact are aligned: “While Hampshire’s closing will likely impact the Hitchcock Center in some ways, the Hitchcock Center is an independent nonprofit organization and will continue operating as usual.”
The only difference for that organization, unlike the other two, is that it has a 95-year ground lease with the college for its living building.
Prince’s ambitious vision at one time also included a 100-room inn and a conference center, as well as potential for some businesses and nonprofit ventures.
Meanwhile, events at the Red Barn will continue as scheduled through December 2026, but deposits for events booked in calendar year 2027 will be returned.
The Early Learning Center will cease operations at the end of the spring semester, though existing rentals of campus facilities, including for summer 2026 camps and programs, will continue as planned.
The Hampshire College Farm, established in the 1970s, became one of the first such agricultural programs embedded in a liberal arts curriculum. It will wind down operations during the next several months.
The CSA program provides a model of farming directly linking consumers to the farmers, with the more than 120 members getting fresh organic produce. The farm also raises some animals, like pigs and sheep.
One of those entities that has used the Red Barn each year for its annual meeting is the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Director Jacob Robinson said there is sadness around the closing and the uncertainty for students, employees and families affiliated with Hampshire, as well as how the decision affects the region’s identity and economic ecosystem.
He points to a 2022 economic impact summary showing that, at the time, Hampshire provided $77 million to the economy and supported 480 jobs.
“From a business community perspective, we expect ripple effects across local employers and small businesses, including reduced spending, workforce disruption, and real impacts on service providers that have long supported Hampshire’s day-to-day operations,” Robinson said.
Because the cultural village has become an important part of Amherst, Robinson said the hope is that Hitchcock Center, the Carle and the Yiddish Book Center will be able to continue to thrive and attract those visiting town.
“These organizations contribute to destination-making, education, visitor activity and community vitality, and we hope they remain strong during this transition,” Robinson said.
Robinson added that the chamber will be involved in constructive collaboration with the town, regional partners, and the remaining colleges to mitigate impacts, support affected workers and local businesses, and stay engaged in thoughtful planning around what comes next for the community.
Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director John Page said Hampshire College scaling back staffing and seeing shrinking enrollment has already had some effects on businesses in South Amherst, such as Atkins Farms Country Market.
But Page said those institutions in the cultural village will continue to be vital arts, culture, and tourism anchors for the town, and other aspects of this vision could be retained.
“In downtown, the BID will continue to work with our small businesses to build a vibrant and sustainable year-round economy,” Page said. “We are taking the steps we can to face this challenge alongside other headwinds of rising costs, high energy prices, tariffs, etc.”
State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, and state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, whose districts include the campus, issued a joint statement about the college.
“Since its founding, Hampshire College has been a creative and innovative force in the world and in higher education, bringing together students, scholars, artists and activists to explore ideas and address a broad range of pressing issues. Its alumni, inspired by their experience at Hampshire, have become national leaders in their fields, made meaningful contributions around the world, and enriched their communities. This small institution, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni have made an outsized contribution to our commonwealth and our country. These contributions do not disappear or diminish with the college’s closure.”
The legislators also pledged to, with Gov. Maura Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, help employees with access to state support and students to get every chance to finish their college education.
“Beyond student transfers, we will work with state and local leaders to support the wider community and navigate the challenges in the weeks and months ahead.”
