Castleton Medical College Building

Castleton Medical College Building is a two-story wooden structure with timber framing, clapboard siding, and a gabled roof topped by an octagonal cupola. The rooms inside were arranged so students could observe physicians at work and practice medical procedures in small groups.

The building was founded in 1818 as Vermont's first medical college and operated until 1862. During those years it trained physicians at a time when American medicine was undergoing major changes.

The building shows how early medical students learned by watching physicians work directly rather than from textbooks alone. This hands-on teaching method shaped what students expected from their training and influenced how medical education developed in America.

The building is located on Seminary Street and now houses classroom space for the university's art department. Because it was moved from its original location, visitors should know that the surroundings are different from when it first served as a medical school.

This is the oldest surviving medical school building in the United States and still shows architectural details from 1821. These original features let visitors see how early medical education spaces were actually built and arranged.

Location: Castleton

Part of: Castleton Medical College

GPS coordinates: 43.61000,-73.17861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41