Look Inside the ABC Residence

The ABC house is located on a leafy residential block just outside of the downtown Andover business district and two blocks from the storied campus of Phillips Academy. The house itself has an interesting history dating back to 1810, when it was built in the Federal style as a residence. Its most famous owner was Reverend Aaron Green, a Unitarian minister who lived there in the 1850's. Andover's Green Street is named after him. At one point the house was occupied by the Ellis family, whose daughter ran a day school for young girls. Subsequent owners made additions to the property before it was purchased by the ABC program in 1967. Many renovations over the years, including a major expansion completed in 2003, have resulted in the house's present configuration.

The spacious first floor of the residence contains several common areas (scroll down for photos below). A large, comfortable Living Room provides a casual gathering space for conversation, television (during permitted viewing hours), reading or relaxation, or a quiet meeting space. The Kitchen and Dining Room are the hub of the ABC Residence and provide a communal eating and gathering area for staff and scholars and a well-equipped kitchen to prepare meals or to bake a batch of cookies for an evening snack. Located in a sunny corner room of the house, the Study is a quiet setting for tutoring sessions and working groups. The Computer Room is furnished with individual carrels and computers surrounded by bookshelves and comfy couches. The girls spend mandatory study time each day in the Computer Room, Study, or in their bedrooms (upperclassmen) with Resident Assistants on hand to help with homework. Laundry facilities and a first floor bath complete the first floor layout.

The second and third floors of the residence contain six student bedrooms and two Resident Assistant bedrooms (one on each floor). Most bedrooms are shared by two students, but two bedrooms are set aside as singles upperclassmen. Each girl is enrouaged to personalize her own space. A large shared bathroom is located on each floor.

The Resident Director apartment is located in an adjacent wing of the residence and the girls find that the "door is always open".

You may also be interested in reading:
Dorm Life
A Day in the Life
Student Handbook

LIVING ROOM
Living Room 1.jpg