Vassar College Digital Library

Digital Collections

[unknown], Hannah. Letter, 1866

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

VC Class Year Unknown,1 letter, dated 18 Oct 1866, from "Hannah" to her brother. Hannah describes the arrangement of her room and corridor at Vassar College, rigorous music classes, the popularity of boating, and the fruit given to her by a classmate.

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[unknown], Julie. Letter, 1869

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

VC Class Year Unknown,1 letter, dated 17 Oct 1869, from "Julie" to Isabel Treadwell Towne (VC spec 1865-1866). "Julie" recounts her first five weeks at Vassar College. She criticizes her room, praises the campus grounds, and describes several of Towne's former classmates. "Julie" also mentions

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Adams, Ruth. Letters, 1900-1902

Date
1865
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

85 letters from Adams to family, written between 1900 and 1902, and 1 letter from Flora A. Clarke to Ida, April 1901. Some of the letters are very brief notes or postcards. Adams' longer letters contain evocative landscape descriptions, references to student activities, orders for new clothing

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Barus, Annie Howes. Letter, 1869

Date
1869
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Barus to Edith. Includes detailed descriptions of her entrance examinations, housing situations and furnishings, roommates, daily routine, meals, and classes. Also relates an account of her meeting the president to be accepted after the examination.

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Cornell, Mary Emma. Letter, 1866

Date
1866
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Cornell to her father. She asks for information about a men's college that her father is involved with. She gives a detailed and favorable impression of the morality of Vassar, concluding that most of the students are Christian and become closer to their faith during their time at the

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Fales, Helen Augusta | to "dear Aunt Susan," Nov. 18, 1865 [TS]

Image
69261-Service File.jpg
Date
November 18, 1865
Content Warning
he Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter, from Fales to "dear Aunt Susan." Fales complains about Vassar's strictness, particularly compared to the freedom afforded to students at men's colleges. She gives a detailed account of the faculty and staff at Vassar, including Dr. Raymond and Miss Lyman. She explains how meals are

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Fales, Helen Augusta. Letter, 1865

Date
1865 [TS]
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Fales to "dear Aunt Susan." Fales complains about Vassar's strictness, particularly compared to the freedom afforded to students at men's colleges. She gives a detailed account of the faculty and staff at Vassar, including Dr. Raymond and Miss Lyman. She explains how meals are

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Foster, Frances (Harmon) Miller. Letters, 1864-1866

Date
1864-1866
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

4 letters and a clipping from Foster to her cousin Louisa Burton and to Jennie Elizabeth Clark. The clipping is about the death in battle of Foster's husband Captain Oscar O. Miller on Sep. 2 1864. The letters describe Foster's dedication to her Vassar academic responsibilities and student life

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Frantz, Edna (Bachman). Letters, 1912-1916

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

11 letters, dated between Oct 18, 1912 and Feb 14, 1916, from Frantz (VC 1916) to her friend Rosemarie. Franz provides detailed descriptions of her four years at Vassar College. Frantz discusses her academic experiences, including exams and final papers at the end of each semester, lectures

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Griffis, Katharine (Stanton). Letters, 1877

Date
1877
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

4 letters from Griffis to Mary Grace Toll Hill between Jul 1874 and Nov 1875. Griffis discusses news of her family and friends, homesickness, and the excitement of student life. She describes the grounds and rooms at Vassar, her new classmates, social gatherings, clubs, and the Philalethean

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Holtz, Eliza. Letters, 1865-1866

Date
1865-1866
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

3 letters from Holtz to her brother and mother between 1865 and 1866. Holtz wishes her family a happy new year and describes the Christmas festivities at Vassar. Later letters describe her algebra field trip to Rhinebeck, her visit to the home of a trustee, and meeting a well-known missionary. There

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Ladd-Franklin, Christine. Letter, 1869

Date
1869
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Ladd-Franklin to May Harry. Ladd-Franklin describes getting her teeth filled, writing an essay for Commencement Day, and an accident with the gas that almost caused an explosion.

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Ladd, Jennie A. Letters, 1876

Date
1876
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

3 letters from Ladd to her aunt Lee and 1 letter from Ladd to her cousin Julie. In her June 1873 letter to Julie, Ladd discusses her sophomore arrival at Vassar, including details of rooms, entrance examinations, the play Cinderella in which multiple acquaintances performed, and a sermon by a

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Marshall, Katherine (Manson). Letter, 1910

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 postcard, postmarked 11 Feb 1910, from Marshall (VC 1910) to Emma Stewart. Referring to the image of the Vassar College campus on the back of the postcard, Marshall asks Stewart how many of the depicted buildings she could identify. Marshall explains that she is too busy at Vassar to write to

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Slade, Abigail and Caroline Slade. Letters, 1866

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

Many letters in this collection are written by Abigail L. Slade or Caroline S. Slade, and noted accordingly; when letters were co-written, this is also specified. For some letters, it is impossible to determine which person wrote the letter, noted by "Slade, Abigail L. or Slade, Caroline S."\n\n18

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Strong, Eliza (McCreery). Letter, [1888]

Date
[1888]
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Strong to her brother. She describes the Great Blizzard of 1888, including the college's lack of provisions and professors' inability to hold classes. Strong also includes measurements of the snowfall, its impact on the grounds, and the novelty of cutting paths through the drifts on

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Sylvester, Helen (Seymour). Letters, 1865-1866

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

24 letters from Sylvester to her father, mother, and brother James concerning her experiences at Vassar from 1865-1866. Sylvester references the lectures of President Raymond and other faculty members, the sermons of visiting ministers, meeting Matthew Vassar, and Professor Knapp's resignation. She

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Tappan, Eva March. Letters, 1874

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

7 letters from Tappan to her mother about her semester at Vassar in the spring of 1874. Tappan discusses visiting arrangements for vacations, fashion trends, and the partiality that Poughkeepsie shopkeepers showed to Vassar customers. She evaluates various preachers and describes several faculty

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Taylor, Lea D. Letters, 1900

Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

VC 1904,8 letters, dated between September and December 1900, from Taylor (VC 1904) to her family. In the earlier letters, Taylor describes her journey by train from Chicago to Vassar College, her interactions with instructors such as Miss Ballantine and Miss Bartelmann, her off-campus boarding

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Vincent, Anna (Mabbett). Letter, 1881

Date
Sep. 25, 1881
Content Warning
The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc
Abstract

1 letter from Vincent to her aunt Anne. She lists her courses, praises the Vassar grounds and rowing, and describes the visits she has made in Poughkeepsie. Vincent also describes her impressions of a student from Japan. Vincent implores her relatives to visit her often, reporting that a classmate

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Content Warning

The Vassar College Archives within the Digital Library include some images, texts, and material items that are racist, xenophobic, or otherwise harmful. The Vassar Libraries have provided descriptive text and additional notes whenever possible to alert Digital Library users to these items. The Engaged Pluralism Initiative Race and Racism in Historical Collections Project Group is working with the library on contextualizing and facilitating community conversations about these materials. For more information see: https://library.vassar.edu/rrhc