Thompson Memorial Library

View of the college library from the south. Part of Taylor Gate is visible
141 plates
Images of the Vassar buildings (interior and exterior) and the landscapes of campus and the surrounding area. Highlights include views of Vassar Lake before the Raymond Avenue elevation change in 1966, the southeast portion of campus before Sunset Lake was created, Raymond Avenue before the Faculty Row houses were built, the living and research spaces in the Maria Mitchell Observatory, and maintenance staff harvesting ice with saws and horse-drawn ice plows.
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
View of the college library from the south. Part of Taylor Gate is visible
View of the college library from the east soon after being completed
View of the college library from the north
View of the college library from the north
View of the college library from from the south
View of the college library from the south
Architect Charles Collins handing keys to President MacCracken during the opening event for the additions to the college library. Librarian Amy L. Reed is on the right. The event was part of that year's Founder's Day
Opening of new wings in the Thompson Memorial Library, held the morning of Founder's Day
Architect Charles Collins speaking on the steps of the college library during the ceremonial handing of key for the opening of additions to the Thompson Memorial Library. President MacCracken and librarian Amy L. Reed stand nearby. The event was part of that year's Founder's Day
View of the college library after a snow storm
View of the Thompson Memorial Library from Main Building 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
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
View of Vassar Chapel from the east
View of Vassar Chapel from the east
View of the chapel from the north
View of Vassar Chapel from the east
View of Vassar Chapel from the north
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.