Vassar College Digital Library

Finding Aids Collection

This collection of finding aids describe items in both the Virginia B. Smith Memorial Manuscript Collection and the College Archives. The Virginia B. Smith Memorial Manuscript Collection is named after the eighth president of Vassar College, whose vision for the library included the addition of personal papers of a number of key literary figures. The holdings range from medieval illuminated manuscripts to modern manuscripts, and include over 500 collections of Vassar College graduates, faculty, and others affiliated with the college. The Vassar College Archives documents the history of the College from its founding in 1861 to the present. It includes publications, administrative records, meeting minutes, architectural drawings, photograph and audiovisual collections, subject files, artifacts, and other materials. For more information please visit the Archives & Special Collections Library website here: https://library.vassar.edu/specialcollections/

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Finding Aid

Guide to the Charlotte and Clara Barnum Papers, circa 1870-2001 (bulk
1877-1951)

Collection Title
Charlotte and Clara Barnum
Papers
Creator
Barnum, Charlotte Cynthia, 1860-1934
Abstract
The collection contains
correspondence, ephemera, and photographs, mostly relating to Charlotte and Clara
Barnum's education and continued association with Vassar College. Also included are
materials related to Clarine Warner Curtis (VC 1888), a life-long friend and
correspondent of Clara Barnum, whose daughter, Virginia H. Curtis Milburn Robertson
(VC 1930), continued correspondence with Clara after Clarine's death in
1945.
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Christine Ladd-Franklin Papers, 1860-1873

Collection Title
Christine Ladd-Franklin
Papers
Creator
Ladd-Franklin, Christine, 1847-1930
Abstract
Diary of Christine Ladd-Franklin,
Vassar College Class of 1869. Describes her experiences as a Vassar student, the
challenges of financing her education, and her early years of teaching before
beginning her graduate work in mathematics.
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Clyde Griffen Coeducation and Men's Education Collection, 1958-1979 (bulk 1966-1979)

Collection Title
Clyde Griffen Coeducation and Men's Education Collection
Abstract
The collection contains records of Vassar College’s transition to a coeducational institution accumulated and created by History Department professor, one-time Dean of Freshmen, and co-chair of the Committee on a Coeducation for Tomorrow, Clyde Griffen. Materials include research on other American colleges and universities; correspondence with coeducational institutions; data gathered at Vassar regarding admissions, transfers, costs, and athletics; committee reports and correspondence; and clippings and other publications.
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Norris Houghton Papers, 1915-1998

Collection Title
Norris Houghton Papers
Creator
Houghton, Norris
Abstract
Correspondence, manuscripts, typescripts, playbills, contracts, clippings, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the life and theatrical career of Norris Houghton.
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Office of the President Records, Alan Simpson Files, 1949-1979

Collection Title
Office of the President Records, Alan Simpson Files
Creator
Simpson, Alan, 1912-1998
Abstract
Materials related to the work of the Vassar College's Office of the President during the tenure of Alan Simpson. The collection includes typical day-to-day administrative records, as well as documents related to noteworthy issues and events from the Simpson Era (1964-1977).
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Office of the President Records, Virginia B. Smith Files, 1950-2010 (bulk 1977-1986)

Collection Title
Office of the President Records, Virginia B. Smith Files
Abstract
Materials related to the work of the Vassar College's Office of the President during the tenure of Virginia B. Smith. The collection includes typical day-to-day administrative records, as well as documents related to noteworthy issues and events from the Smith Era (1977-1986).
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Finding Aid

Guide to the Vassar College 1969 Black Studies Sit-in Records, 1966-1974

Collection Title
Vassar College 1969 Black Studies Sit-in Records
Abstract
Materials related to the early years
of the Vassar College Black Studies Program and the student sit-in staged in 1969
for improvements to the program along with other demands relating to the
African-American community both on campus and off.
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