The Well Legacy Society (WLS) incorporated on May 14, 2024, with the goal of preserving and protecting the college's rich history and nationally significant legacy in Aurora and the Finger Lakes region. Following the college’s abrupt closure announcement on April 29, we organized to protect the college's assets, archives, artifacts, and architecture for future generations. We also aim to ensure that our unique and historic campus remains a vibrant part of the community. Our supporters include alumnae/i and friends of the college spanning generations across the country. We invite you to join us in this important endeavor to uphold and share the enduring spirit of Wells College.

To date, we have:

• communicated via our attorneys the major concerns of alums to the Wells Board of Trustees on 5/28/24, one month after the closure announcement, particularly the case against Manhattanville as a legacy partner.

• worked with the Village to keep the National Register portion of the campus zoned Institutional.

• succeeded on August 31 in getting the Office of the Attorney General to intervene and stop the piecemeal sale of Wells real estate until a dissolution plan is filed with NYS.

• engaged in confidential discussions with senior leadership at area colleges about a legacy relationship.

• initiated a successful campaign to Say NO to Manhattanville as a legacy partner.

• secured the attention of Gov. Hochul, who asked the head of the State Historic Preservation Office to respond to the threat of leaving the historic buildings on campus unheated

• developed relationships with regional preservation organizations which resulted in a “Five to Revive” designation for the campus in March 2025.

• received ongoing local, regional and national press coverage, had our press releases carried in network media feeds across the country, gained attention in specialty news outlets, continued to write press releases, and helped bring the attention of The Chronicle of Higher Education to Aurora.

• began a petition in support of the Village’s offer to house, preserve and protect the Wells College archives.

• supported PACNY in nominating the Wells campus for the “Seven to Save” program of the PLNYS, awarded in March, 2025.

• obtained assistance from an international advocacy group and the renowned architectural firm that designed Barler & Campbell and in getting the buildings listed as local landmarks along with the iconic Boathouse Lawn on March 19, 2025.

• acted as an impartial advisor to potential purchasers of the campus, as info provided by the realtors has proven to be inaccurate.

• inaugurated a series of letters from experts urging the AAG to keep our historical artifacts local!

• shared contacts, connections, information, and insights with the Hiawatha Institute of Indigenous Knowledge in the “due diligence” phase of their accepted purchase offer.

  Please note: The WLS is not affiliated with Cleveland Commission for Wells. The CCfW did not initiate, implement or fund the above actions, or participate in other signature efforts of the WLS to preserve the legacy of our alma mater.