The Emma Willard School

EMMA WILLARD SCHOOL, 1814


Hollywood on the Hudson 


Stepping onto the campus of Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y. feels a bit like visiting a real-life Hogwarts, with all its Gothic architecture and gargoyles. 

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Though it wasn’t used for Harry Potter, this historic women’s school appears in two major Hollywood films: “Scent of a Woman,” 1992, starring Al Pacino & Chris O'Donnell; and “Emperor’s Club,” 2002, staring Kevin Klein, Jesse Eisenberg, Edward Herrmann and many others. 

Both movies are set at all-boys prep schools, so even the campus plays a role other than herself! 

Emma Willard School also makes Hollywood stars. Jane Fonda (“Nine to Five,” “On Golden Pond,” “Grace and Frankie”) graduated with the class of 1955. 

Here’s a 3D Tour of one of the main buildings on campus. See if you recognize it from from the silver screen.