Vassar College Digital Library

Digital Collections

[unidentified last name], Anna. 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 from "Anna" to Mary C. "Lettie" Gauntlett. The letter is marked as sent from Vassar College on Sunday, September 22nd and is estimated as having been sent in 1866. The writer describes how she and "Mary" journeyed to Poughkeepsie, took preliminary exams, and were

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[unknown], Emma, 1868

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, dated 18 Oct 1868, from "Emma" to "Dell." Emma congratulates Dell on her marriage, shares social and political news, and briefly discusses life at Vassar College. Written on lined paper with a black-and-white image captioned "Vassar College.",VC Class Year Unknown

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[unknown], Gert. Letter, 1918

Image
71472-Service File.jpg
Date
13 Feb 1918
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, dated 13 Feb 1918, from "Gert" to her family about the fire at Vassar College. Marking the letter as from "Vassar College (What's left of it!)" Gert provides an eyewitness account of the fire at Main Building as viewed from an upper floor of Strong. She also describes the observations of

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[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], Jeannette. Letter, n.d.

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 Sept. 22nd 1869, from "Jeannette" to Mary P. Ashbridge. "Jeannette" describes the beginning of a semester at Vassar College, including the "Classification" of the four hundred students, activities such as boating and walking, the meals served, her residential

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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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[unknown], Katharine. Letter, 1873

Image
68820-Service File.jpg
Date
26 Apr 1873
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, dated 26 Apr 1873, from "Katharine" to her mother. Katharine recounts the events of her first spring semester Vassar College. She describes her dormitory room as extremely small and crowded with furniture, leading her to ask VC Lady Principal Miss Terry about changing rooms. Katharine also

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[unknown], Mary. Letter, 1870

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 5 Mar 1870, from "Mary" to her mother. Mary describes her experiences at Vassar College, including needing permission from VC Lady Principal Hannah Lyman to go to Poughkeepsie, and attending a memorable lecture. She mentions an enclosed photograph of herself and

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[unknown], Mary. Letter, 1870

Image
72500-Service File.jpg
Date
5 Mar 1870
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, dated 5 Mar 1870, from "Mary" to her mother. Mary describes her experiences at Vassar College, including needing permission from VC Lady Principal Hannah Lyman to go to Poughkeepsie, and attending a memorable lecture. She mentions an enclosed photograph of herself and some dentist

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[unknown], Mary. Letter, 1872

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, dated 24 Nov 1872, from "Mary" to her sister "Mollie." Mary describes a typical Sunday routine at Vassar College, beginning with Bible class and chapel. Mary explains that after dinner and while still dressed in their Sunday finery, the students would promenade in the park. She also

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[unknown], Mary. Letter, 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

1 letter, dated 18 Jun 1876, from "Mary" to her mother "Mithery." In the letter, Mary reports recent events at Vassar College. She describes the excitement over the impending visit of an important guest to Vassar, a theatrical performance, the sermon of a visiting pastor, and the text of college

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[unknown], Nellie. Letters, 1868

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

2 letters, dated 10 Nov and 15 Nov 1868, from "Nellie" to her mother and father. Nellie describes her favorable impressions of Vassar College. Citing her family's probable interest, Nellie details a lecture by Professor Farrar on the history of rifle manufacture, including two diagrams. She includes

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Aaron, Fannie. Letters, 1919-1923.

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

Fannie Aaron (VC 1923) attended Vassar from 1919-1923. Her letters are of particular interest to researchers and students because Aaron was one of the only Jewish students on campus, and her letters detail the social, cultural, and religious challenges she faced while here. She wrote more than 750

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Adams, Juliet Amelia. 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 Adams to Minnie McInnes, a friend from home in Philadelphia, describing her first few days at Vassar. Topics include entrance examinations, classes, food, and the students' daily routine.

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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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Anderson, Irene. 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

VC Spec 1866-1867,1 letter, dated 10 Oct 1866, from Anderson (VC spec 1866-1867) to her brother Norton B. Anderson. Anderson promises to write every week and keep a daily journal of her experiences at Vassar College. She describes the geology walks led by Professor Tennyson, provides a comprehensive

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Arnzen, Laura Earl. Letters, 1865

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

3 letters from Arnzen to Caroline and Abigail Slade (all three were VC Special Students from 1865-1866) while the sisters were still home in Fall River, Massachusetts. The letters describe student life in the first few months of the college. Arnzen encourages the sisters to join her at Vasssar

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Badgley, Mary M. Letters, 1866-1867

Date
1866-1867
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 Badgley to Kate Flanders, a friend from home in Milwaukee, about her 1866-1867 fall semester at Vassar. She describes entrance examinations, classes, the rooms, food, exercise, and prayer meetings. She also chats about news from home. In one letter (Oct 15) she talks about the

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Bagg, Sophia D. or Sophia R. Burnham. Letter, n.d.

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 brief thank you note to Annie Glidden Houts, possibly from Sophia D. Bagg or Sophia R. Burnham. All three were VC 1869.,VC 1869

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Banfield, Edith C. Letters, 1888-1891

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 Banfield to her friend (or relative) Mary Banfield, and 2 letters from Banfield to her family. The letter to Mary Banfield contains information about a visiting Episcopal minister, a prayer meeting, academics (including a brief mention of Professor Salmon), and social news about

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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