Dutch House: Dwarfy Dorm Dynasty

By ZOE CURTIS ‘25

If you find yourself navigating the labyrinthine halls of Phillips Exeter Academy and stumble upon a quaint little dorm that feels like it might have been the blueprint for a Hobbit hole, congratulations! You’ve just discovered the cozy, slightly obscure kingdom known as Dutch House.

  Now, I know what you’re thinking—Dutch House? Is that a typo for some majestic European palace? Nope, it’s not a typo. and while it might not be a palace, it sure is a kingdom of its own, complete with a cast of characters that could rival any medieval epic.

  First things first, let’s address the size. Yes, Dutch House is small. So small, in fact, that when playing hide and seek, the whole dorm can be found in less time than it takes to microwave popcorn (a Dutch House favorite activity). But don’t let size fool you. Dutch House packs a punch. It’s like the dormitory version of a Mini Cooper—compact, but surprisingly spirited.

  Now, one might wonder, why pledge allegiance to a dorm that could probably fit inside the walk-in closet of any other dorm room on campus? Well, dear reader, that’s where the loyalty of our Dutch denizens truly shines.  We are the underdogs, the unsung heroes, The Davids to the Goliaths of Exeter housing. 

Picture this: Inter-Dorm Olympics. The larger, more conspicuous dorms march onto the field like regal war horses, each resident wearing their dorm colors with pride. And then there’s Dutch House, rolling in with a flag that looks suspiciously like a repurposed bed sheet with a poorly drawn tulip on it. 

  But oh, our spirit is unmatched! When it comes to the three-legged race, we might not have the longest legs, but we’ve got the hearts of champions. Our tug-of-war strategy may involve more laughter than actual pulling, but who needs brawn when you have camaraderie? And let’s talk about our dorm meetings. While other dorms discuss important matters like decorum and shared responsibilities Dutch House meetings often devolve into passionate debates about who is hotter: Chad Michael Murray or Brad Pitt? It’s a dilemma that requires careful consideration.

Despite our size, or perhaps because of it, Dutch House has fostered a unique sense of community. It’s not just a dorm, it’s a family. a quirky, eccentric, and slightly dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. We may not have a fancy coat of arms or a dorm cheer that strikes fear into the hearts of rival dormitories at assembly, but what we lack in grandiosity, we make up for in charm.

So next time you pass by Dutch House and hear the sound of laughter echoing from within, know that it’s not just the creaky floorboards. It’s the sound of a tight-knit (though we prefer crochet) group of individuals who have found their home away from home, even if it’s the size of a well-decorated shoe box.

Dutch House stands tall (figuratively) as the unsung hero of our institution. So, to my fellow Dutch-esses, keep flying that tulip flag proudly. Because, when it comes to loyalty, we may be small, but we’re mighty in spirit!