1896

Vassar College Archives and Special Collections

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Box 125

Raymond, Cornelia M. Diary, 1896

vassar:2763
Box 125

Raymond, Cornelia M.

Bielat, Isabel
Ditkoff, Andrea

Bound volume; aprox 264p; 6 x 3.5 inches; Iron gall ink on aged paper

Traditions

Vassar College. Class of 1883

VC 1883

text

text

Short entries in a half page a day format. Raymond describes her academic activities at Vassar, including studying and tutoring in Latin, and giving, taking, and chaperoning music lessons. Raymond mentions class day, graduation, and the naming of Vassar’s new dormitory, Raymond House (Jun 9). Raymond’s social activities include taking bicycle lessons, attending plays, and reading to family and friends. Raymond reports the health issues and deaths affecting her and her social circle. She details her religious involvement through attending services and prayer meetings, reflecting on sermons and lectures, meeting missionaries, observing Lent, participating in the Salvation Army, meeting the Booths [founders of the Salvation Army], and attempting interventions with consumers of alcohol and non-Christians. Historical events referenced by Raymond include the imprisonment of Baptist minister [Alberto Jose] Diaz in Cuba (Sept 13), the fire at Mount Holyoke College (Mon 28),the fire on [Railroad Street], Great Barrington, [MA] (Oct 13), and the election of Raymond’s preferred presidential candidate, William McKinley (Nov 4). Accounts at the back of the diary include “benevolence” records of her donating money to various individuals and causes.