Thompson Memorial Library addition opening

Opening of new wings in the Thompson Memorial Library, held the morning of Founder's Day
Opening of new wings in the Thompson Memorial Library, held the morning of Founder's Day
View of the Thompson Memorial Library from Main Building after a snow storm
View of the college library after a snow storm
Copy photograph of a sketch of the Vassar College library dated 1932
Copy photograph of a sketch of the Vassar College library dated 1932
View of the Thompson Memorial Library tower peaking over the tops of trees, perhaps taken from Sunset Hill
Main (Thompson) Library location: South wing -- First window. Valentin Fernandez (c.14-- – c.1519) was born in Moravia, but spent most of his life in Lisbon, where he pursued a career as a printer and translator. In 1495, he printed a Portuguese edition of Vita Christi with fellow printer Nicolaus
Main (Thompson) Library location: North wing -- First window. The son of a resident of Leipzig, Valentin Schumann (c. 14-- – 1542) began printing in 1514, the year he produced Johannes Reuchlin's Phorcensis Scenica Progymnasmata. His early works demonstrate a focus on classical and humanist
Main (Thompson) Library location: South wing -- First window. Walter Chepman (c. 1471 – 1528) was born circa 1471 in Ayr, Scotland and moved to Edinburgh in 1493, where he pursued a career as a merchant alongside Andrew Halyburton. He concurrently began his career as a notary to the royal household
Main (Thompson) Library location: Class of '51 Reading Room. William Caxton (c. 1422 - c. 1492) was born in Kent and, by 1438, was apprenticed to a mercer in London. He eventually settled in Bruges, where his business prospered. In 1463, he became Governor of the English Nation of Merchant
Main (Thompson) Library location: Class of '51 Reading Room. Wygand Koeln (c. 14-- - c.15--) was active in Geneva as early as 1520, when he printed his first known work, Missale Parvum for Gabriel Pomard, a printer and publisher in Geneva. During Koeln's career, Geneva was becoming a place of refuge
Main (Thompson) Library location: End window -- North wing. While much of his early life remains unknown, it is clear that Wynkyn de Worde (c.14-- – 1534) emigrated from his supposed home in the region of Alsace-Lorraine and began printing in England toward the end of the 15th century, primarily
Here you will find digitized archival collections, oral histories, and more. We are continually expanding the collections and improving access. You may find additional digital resources that reside outside the digital library here, and a selection of Online Exhibitions here.
Collections Overview
The Archives & Special Collections Library is part of the Vassar College Libraries system. It holds the rare book, manuscript, and archival collections of the college. It collects, preserves, and makes available rare and unique collections, and also engages in teaching and outreach activities. This collection of finding aids describe items in both the Virginia B. Smith Memorial Manuscript Collection and the College Archives.
The Vassar College herbarium holds over 8,000 specimens of vascular plants, bryophytes, and algae. Holdings are primarily from northeastern North America, and include collections made by several notable 19th century botanists. To learn more about this project visit the website here.
Vassar College's institutional repository reflects the research and scholarly output of the Vassar College community. It provides access to senior theses, peer reviewed open access articles, and projects from a wide range of disciplines.