Vassar College Digital Library

Digital Collections

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

[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

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

Brown, Frances Elizabeth. 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 Brown to Abigail L. and Caroline E. Slade (both VC Special Students from 1866-1867) at Fall River, Massachusetts. The letters discuss housing, upperclassman recitations, social news, Founder's Day and faculty, including Henry Van Ingen and his wife. Brown details changes to the

Access Control
View

DeWitt, Nettie | to mother, Dec. 10, 1892

Image
71751-Service File.jpg
Date
December 10, 1892
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 Ex 1896

Access Control
View

Duncan, Doris (Bullard). Letter, 1914

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 Dec 2 1914, from Duncan (VC 1917) to Mrs. Charles Culver, mother of Mary (Culver) Pollock (VC 1917). Duncan thanks Mrs. Culver for hosting her on Sunday night, as well as Dr. Culver for carrying her "heavy" suitcase to the station. Duncan reports rumors that the President's House at

Access Control
View

Eaton, Esther. Letter, 1905

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 Apr 27 1905, in which Eaton (VC 1905) thanks "Miss Shipp" for the gift of a book. Miss Shipp is the sister of Eaton's Vassar College classmate Margaret "Peggy" M. Shipp (VC 1905). Eaton expresses happiness that she lives close to Peggy and hopes that Miss Shipp will come to

Access Control
View

Elwell, Marion F. Letter, 1904

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 March 4 1904, from Elwell (VC 1906-1907) to her family. Elwell describes a birthday party, several plays, the election of Esta Saville (VC 1906) as the class marshall for commencement, entertaining "stunts" [skits] performed by the Lathrop tables, and the costumes for Washington's

Access Control
View

Finley, Charlotte (Deming). Letter, 1886

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 "Thanksgiving Night 1886," from Finley (VC 1889) to her cousin "Effie." Finley writes that an excellent Thanksgiving dinner was served at Vassar College, during which the students costumed themselves as English ladies and gentlemen. She describes the events after dinner as including

Access Control
View

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

Access Control
View

Gaston, Mary E. Letters, 1874-1878

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

17 letters from Gaston to her mother. She describes academics and examinations, fashion (including the gymnastics suits) and shopping, religious life, faculty, and housing. Regarding her social life, she relates a freshman-sophomore dance, the Philalethean Society performing The Merchant of Venice

Access Control
View

Hagerman, Mary E[lla] (Comstock). Letter, 1882-1884

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 1882 and 1884, from Hagerman (VC Ex 1885) to her brother Will Comstock. Hagerman discusses her experiences at Vassar College, such as singing in the Glee Club, visiting Lake Mohonk, giving recitations, and attending Commencement. She also sends birthday wishes from herself

Access Control
View

Jackson, Helen (Basfield). Letters, 1875-1877

Date
1875-1877
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

2 letters from Jackson to her cousin Ann Scholfield in April 1875 and Dec 1877. She shares family news, plans visits, and discusses the logistics of feeding Vassar's 400 students. In the later letter she describes winter visits, the Philalethean Anniversary, and the departure of Lady Principal Terry

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