Vassar College Visitors Guide
assar andmarks Designated a National Heritage Area by Congress, the Hudson Valley has more Founded in 1861, Vassar College paintings. Today the collection major historic sites per square is renowned for pioneering achieve- comprises over 20,000 works from mile than any other area in ments in education, for its long ancient Egypt to the present. the United States. Fabulous history of curricular innovation, and mansions of the Gilded Age, for the beauty of its campus. Over The Chapel, completed in 1904, the course of its history, the college is notable for its Norman-style quaint river towns, unparal- has expanded from its original two architecture and its 15 stained- leled hiking and climbing VASSAR glass windows: six from drawings buildings – Main Building and the sites in the Catskills and the Maria Mitchell Observatory, both by John La Farge, four by Robert Visitor’s Guide L. Dodge, and five by Louis Shawangunks, world-class art National Historic Landmarks – to museums – the valley is a na- over 100 academic and residential Comfort Tiffany. buildings designed by some of the The Maria Mitchell tional treasure. Poughkeepsie, most notable architects of their day. Observatory, where prominent Vassar’s hometown, is half way The Vassar Libraries are extraordi- astronomer Maria Mitchell lived, between Albany, the state nary and rank among the very best taught, and conducted research capitol, and New York City. at liberal arts colleges in the U.S. from 1865 to 1888, is now a The Vassar campus comprises The Thompson Memorial Library National Historic Landmark and home to Vassar’s Education over 100 buildings in archi- is one of the most exceptional ex- tectural styles ranging from amples of the collegiate gothic style Department.
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