Wolven Glass Plate Negative Collection: Commencement and Reunion, 1900-1942

711 plates

In the first half of the 20th century, Vassar's commencement and reunion were part of a 4-5 day long celebration that included a variety of events and traditions. Steady events included Baccalaureate Sunday, the alumnae parade, Class Day exercises, and commencement. Other activities changed over the decades, and included concerts and lectures, luncheons and suppers, tree ceremonies, May Pole dances, and for many years the III Hall Play was repeated for families and alumnae.
Images in this series are are primarily from commencement, Class Day exercises, and the alumnae parade. Photos of Sophomores picking daisies for the Daisy Chain are also included. Early graduates and significant alumnae such as Harriette Warner Bishop and Helen D. Woodward (both VC 1867), Mary Augusta Jordan (VC 1876), Harriot Stanton Blatch (VC 1878), Julia Lathrop (VC 1880), and Blanche Ferry Hooker (VC 1894) are pictured; as are faculty, administrators and trustees such as C. Mildred Thompson, Ella McCaleb, Herbert E. Mills, and the astronomers Caroline Furness and Mary Whitney.

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