Kurn Hattin’s beautiful 280-acre campus includes nine residential houses, called “cottages.” Highly-qualified, caring staff provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel a sense of belonging and form strong bonds with peers and adults through cooperation, respect, and trust.
Each residential cottage is home to generally 7 to 8 children (usually double rooms).
All children take part in daily/weekly chores and household responsibilities.
Families are encouraged to maintain frequent contact with their children through visits, phone calls, and letters.
Cottage residents go on regular weekend outings together, including trips to the local theater, hiking, cultural activities, and shopping trips.
Hover on the pink ‘cottage’ dots to find out more about the residential houses on campus.
Jennie Ball Cottage is the oldest surviving structure on campus from before 1894. Originally part of the Pierce farm, it was refurbished and rededicated Jennie Ball Cottage for the Homes’ Centennial Celebrations by William J. III and Nancy Fowler Scarlett. It once housed the “farm boys” who milked the cows early each morning, it now is the residence of one of the Assistant Directors of Residential Services.
Hubbard Cottage, a gift of Oliver J. and Dorothy Penniman Hubbard, was built in 1976 and is home to the youngest girls on the main level. The lower level of Hubbard houses the Flora H. Morrill LaClair Wellness Center, the health center for the children.
Dickinson Cottage was built in 1994 to honor the founder of Kurn Hattin, Rev. Charles Albert Dickinson. This cottage was one of the three cottages built to consolidate the girls onto the Westminster campus. Dickinson is generally home to the older, elementary-aged girls.
Built in 1973, Morrison Cottage is home to our middle-aged boys.
Given by John Wisell in memory of his mother, Maude Wisell Parent, this cottage enjoys a spot in the center of campus with a view of almost the entire surroundings. Built in 1978, it is home for the youngest boys.
Tackaberry Cottage was built in honor of Frank R. Tackaberry, a supporter from Boston in 1953. It currently is the home of the Director of Residential Services.
Originally built in 1973 in memory of Herbert and Margaret Turrell, but burned down and was rebuilt in 1988, Turrell Cottage is a two story residence which usually houses older boys.
Warner Cottage was built in 1994 to honor Sarah J. Warner of Saxtons River whose bequest in 1895 led to the opening of Warner Home, the 150 acre Saxtons River Campus used primarily for girls through the years. Warner is generally home to the younger, middle school girls.
Wilson Cottage, built in 1942, is the residence of the Executive Director of Kurn Hattin.
The Woodhull family has a long history of alumni, supporters, and trustees at Kurn Hattin. In 1994, they donated one of the cottages that helped consolidate the girls onto the Westminster campus. Woodhull is home to the younger, elementary-aged girls.
We often hear from the children that one of the best things about being at Kurn Hattin is the food! All children receive three nutritious hot meals every day. They also receive regular snacks to fuel their busy days in class, and during after-school sports or clubs.
Mealtimes in Watson Dining Hall provide time for the whole Kurn Hattin campus community—students, faculty, volunteers, and staff members—to come together to socialize, share stories, and build relationships.
Children sit together with their cottages for breakfast and dinner and may sit where they wish at lunchtime.
Meal choices feature fresh, healthy ingredients (many sourced directly from the Kurn Hattin farm) with multiple hot options as well as a fresh salad bar.
A wide variety of offerings each week provide opportunities for children to try and enjoy new foods.
Families are welcome to join their children occasionally for dinner at no charge
Daily schedules vary somewhat by cottage, age, and time of year
6:15 AM Rise and Shine – get dressed, brush teeth, make bed, and straighten room
6:45 AM Cottage Chore
7:00 AM Walk to Breakfast in the Mayo Center
7:15 AM Breakfast with cottage in the Watson Dining Hall
8:05 AM Morning Assembly in the Higbie Auditorium
8:15 AM Morning Classes begin
11:45 AM Lunch in the Watson Dining Hall
(usually unassigned seating)
12:30 PM Afternoon Classes begin
3:30 PM Classes end – Afternoon Snack – return to cottage for afternoon activities and sports
5:00 PM Dinner with cottage in the Watson Dining Hall
6:00 PM Recreation time outside in warm weather or inside in cold weather
6:45 PM Return to cottage for homework, reading, and showers
8:00 PM Bedtime for the younger cottages or Free-time for older cottages
8:30/9:00 PM Lights out for older cottages
Bob Bursky serves as Dean of Residential Services at Kurn Hattin, where he focuses on helping children work through challenges, recognize their strengths, and see their world as full of possibility.
Bob brings decades of leadership in youth services to his role. He founded and directed Kindle Farm Children’s Services from 1993 to 2008 and has served as a World of Difference Diversity Trainer and CPI staff trainer in de-escalation strategies. His experience supports a residential environment grounded in respect, growth, and opportunity.
At Kurn Hattin, Bob is committed to creating a community where children feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward.
Outside of work, Bob enjoys celebrating life with his wife Jessica, his son Jake, and his daughters Sadie and Ella. He plays guitar, grows plants and vegetables, watches sports, and loves gathering with family and friends around a good meal.
Mary Beth Culver serves as Residential Living Director at Kurn Hattin Home and School for Children, where she focuses on helping students develop life skills and socially appropriate behaviors that support long-term success.
With experience as a Residential Director at a residential treatment facility, Mary Beth has led wilderness trips, high and low ropes courses, and other experiential education programs. She believes deeply that learning through doing leads to lasting change, a philosophy reflected in the wide range of hands-on opportunities available to students at Kurn Hattin.
Mary Beth loves working with children and finds great joy in watching their faces light up when they accomplish something new.
Outside of work, she treasures time with her granddaughter and visiting her children. She enjoys being outdoors, gardening, and repurposing items into creative yard art.
Ellen Wood brings more than 30 years of experience in education and residential life to her role as Weekend Residential Director at Kurn Hattin. After a long career at Landmark College—where she taught, coached, and supported students with learning differences—Ellen joined Kurn Hattin in 2020 to help lead and modernize the residential program.
She specializes in building community through engagement, shared activities, and clear goals for both children and staff. Ellen is passionate about helping children learn to self-advocate—using their words, not behaviors—and ensuring their voices shape the weekend programs and activities offered on campus.
Ellen has worked closely with Kurn Hattin leadership to expand and strengthen the residential department, helping create a structure that better supports students’ growth and development.
A keynote speaker at the 2020 Learning Disabilities Association of America National Conference and founder of a Transition at College program at Landmark College, Ellen’s career has always centered on preparing young people for success.
Outside of work, Ellen’s greatest joy comes from her three children and her dog, Jessie-Anne. She enjoys reading, working out, and spending as much time as possible exploring the woods and nearby trails.
