Vassar College Digital Library

Digital Collections

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.

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

Barnes, Lucy (Sellers). Letters, 1870-1875

Date
1870-1875
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

17 letters from Barnes to family. The 5 letters to George Taylor Barnes are transcripts only; Vassar does not hold the originals. The letters describe the daily student routine, food and meal time, prayer requirements, final examinations, student government and class government, traditions relating

Access Control
View

DeWitt, Nettie (Brand). Letters, 1892-1894

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

12 letters from DeWitt (VC Ex 1896) to her mother, 3 to both parents, 2 to her brother, 2 to her father, and 3 addressed to the whole family. The letters describe finances, healthcare and the Infirmary, social life and organizations, academics, and religion & bible study. She describes some

Access Control
View

Hollingworth, Ruth (Mann). Letter, 1895

Date
1895-01-01T01:00:01Z-1895-12-31T23:59:59Z
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 Hollingworth to her friend Alice M. Howland. The letter begins with a description of dinner at Strong Hall. She resumes with details about the end of the year, including campus preparations and decorations, a Baccalaureate service, Class Day, a burial service, a concert by the Glee

Access Control
View

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.

Access Control
View

Mansfield, Adelaide (Claflin). Letters, 1893-1897

Date
1893-1897
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

A collection of 85 letters to Mansfield's mother, father and sister Louise. There is great detail about daily life at the college, academics, lectures, sermons, eating "spreads" in dorm rooms with her classmates, clothing, room decorating, and celebration of events, such as Washington's birthday. Of

Access Control
View

Mineah, Mary A. Letters, 1869-1870

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

2 letters, from Mary A. Mineah to her mother, about her spring semesters at Vassar in 1869 and 1870. In the first letter, Mineah describes lectures by Vassar astronomy professor Maria Mitchell, Yale professor Silliman, missionary in Brazil J.L. Fletcher, and Vassar religion professor Farrar. In

Access Control
View

Moore, Felicia E. Letter, 1870

Date
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

1 letter from Moore to her sister. Moore gives a detailed description of Thanksgiving dinner at Vassar, which included both students and faculty. In particular, she focuses on the fashion, the food, and the setting of the dinner. She also lists a number of arts performances given that week

Access Control
View

Pease, Julia M. Letters, 1870-1875

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

221 letters from Julia Pease, mostly to her parents and sister Caroline, concerning her experiences at Vassar between 1870 and 1875. Pease discusses social visits, family news, fashion trends, and academic experience. She describes Christmas festivities and theatricals at Vassar (Cara, Dec 1872) and

Access Control
View

Pratt, Mary (Morris). Letters, 1874, 1877-1880

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

8 letters from Mary Pratt to her mother, one dated Nov. 1874 and the remaining seven between April 1877 and May 1880. The 1874 letter recounts making molasses with her classmates at Vassar. Remaining letters describe making chicken costumes for the Philalethean entertainment, the junior class

Access Control
View

Richards, Ellen H. (Swallow). Letter, 1869

Image
69044-Service File.jpg
Date
9 Apr 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, dated 9 Apr 1869, from Ellen (Swallow) Richards to her mother. \nRichards describes finding the "first" spring flowers near Vassar College. She recounts giving flowers to VC Lady Principal Hannah Lyman during Lyman's illness, and to her classmates and instructors. According to Richards, VC

Access Control
View

Ryerson, Margery A. Letters, 1905-1908

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, dated between Oct 3 1905 and Nov 3 1908, from Ryerson (VC 1909) to her mother and father. Ryerson discusses her experiences at Vassar College. She describes her coursework, her instructors, Mrs. Kendrick [the Lady Principal], and the lectures that she attends. She asks her parents to send

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

Stephenson, Mary (Sheldon). Letters, 1884-1888

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

3 letters from Stephenson to her friend "Sate" concerning her experiences at Vassar between 1884 and 1888. Stephenson details Vassar's election festivities of 1884, during which Republican students held a procession for Blaine, whom they assumed to be victorious, while the Democrat students dressed

Access Control
View

Stewart, Helen W. Letter, 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

VC Spec 1865-1869,1 letter, dated 3 Nov 1867, most likely from Helen "Nellie" W. Stewart to her sister "Mary." The writer comments on missing her sister, studying, receiving flowers, planning social invitations, and listening to a sermon at Vassar College.

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

Thompson, Addie (Adda). Letters, n.d., 1875-1876

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

13 letters from Thompson to her family about her experiences at Vassar from the fall of 1875 to the spring of 1876. Thompson describes her arrival, entrance examinations, the difficulty of having her first name registered in the catalogue, her freshman room, initial homesickness, and Christmas

Access Control
View

Thompson, Mary (Thaw). Letters, 1873-1876

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

4 letters from Thompson to her father about her experiences at Vassar from 1873 to 1876. Thompson reports social news and her performance on the entrance examinations, requests more money for school books, and repents accidental overspending on a dress to wear to an acquaintance's wedding.

Access Control
View

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