Views from Vassar College

History

Sometimes when I am out at a show, looking for new material, I'll run across something so extraordinary that is from another college that I can't resist adding it to my collection. While not Mount Holyoke related, they still are charming and I thought at least some of you would like to see them.

The Images

All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

May Day Dance 1909 Vassar College

front "May Day Dance 1909 Vassar College" They seem to be doing some kind of dance with large hula hoops with a cross in them. Go figure!

back Divided back, unused.

1909 May Day Dance Vassar College

front "1909 May Day Dance Vassar College" More of that dance with the large hula hoops with a cross in them.

back Divided back, unused.

Class March, Vassar College

front "Class March, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY" A parade of seniors carrying a garland of flowers.

back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked 1907 in Poughkeepsie. #54131 Published by John B. Flagler, Poughkeepsie, NY. "Dear [...] write & let me know what [...] says about the postals, sorry I couldn't get am better, hand no time look around. Miss R."

Class March, Vassar College

front "Class March, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY" A parade of seniors carrying a garland of flowers. Image is very similar to the previous one, but it is different!

back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked 1907 in Poughkeepsie. #54130 Published by John B. Flagler, Poughkeepsie, NY. "They have this march the last of school term wish you could see it some time. a friend E. R."

Vassar May Pole, 1908, Vassar College

front "Vassar May Pole 1908" Sixteen students holding wide ribbons on a May pole.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused.

Class Day, 1908, Vassar College

front "Class Day 1908" A congregation of students and guests.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Marked "Vassar College Poughkeepsie NY" by the postcard dealer.

Vassar Class Tree, 1908, Vassar College

front "Vassar Class Tree 1908" A congregation of students around a tree.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused.

Class Day, 1910, Vassar College

front "Class Day 1910 Vassar College Photo by Fay" A congregation of students and guests in a field.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. AZO.

Daisy Chain, 1910, Vassar College

front "Daisy Chain 1910 Vassar College Photo by Fay" A queue of students, two across, carrying daisy chains much like MHC students carry the laurel chain on graduation weekend.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused.

Daisy Chain, Vassar College

front "9009 - Junior class carrying the traditional daisy chain - graduation exercises, Vassar, Poughkeepsie, NY" Copyright 1906 by Underwood & Underwood. Back is plain.

1264 Boating on Lake, Vassar College

front "1264 Boating on Lake, Vassar College" Littleton View Co., Littleton NH. Back is plain.

Vassar College Resolutes, 1879

front A baseball card, picturing the Vassar College Resolutes, one of two baseball teams at Vassar, in 1879.

back Various facts and figures about women and baseball from the 1400s to 1898.

Field Day 1922, Vassar College

front A group of women in athletic uniforms, plus their mascot, at the 1922 Field Day celebration at Vassar.

Vassar Class Tree, 1907, Vassar College

front "V. C. Class Tree 1907" Students dressed in white, processing the daisy chain around the tree.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. AZO.

Vassar May Pole 1910, Vassar College

front "Vassar May Pole 1910" Photo by Fay.

back Divided back, postmarked May 24, 1910 7pm in Poughkeepsie NY. "I'm going down to see Miss Espenschied the Sat. before I go home. It was mighty nice of her to ask me. I suppose you are at Connellsville by this time. How are things going? Exams begin next week and I get home Monday A.M. June 6th. I will be so glad to get home! And to think of being able to stay 16 weeks! This is a picture of our May pole dance given by the seniors. Best wishes, M. K."

Daisy Chain, 1914, Vassar College

front Students posing with the daisy chain. Inscription on the back reads "Vassar College Daisy Chain 1914" and has the address labels for two previous owners of the photo, post-1963 (both addresses had ZIP codes). Both lived at the same address, so maybe they were mother and daughter.

Daisy Chain, 1928, Vassar College

front Students posing with the daisy chain. Inscription on the back reads "Vassar sophomores with their daisy chain / Poughkeepsie, N. Y. -- Twenty four of the prettiest members of the sophomore class of Vassar College here are shown carrying the traditional daisy chian [sic], the main feature of thetheir [sic] class-day pageant today. SH 6-11-28"

Pageant, 1916, Vassar College

front Students dancing in a field. Numbered 5 in the series by Wolven, 1916. On the back, there are address labels for two previous owners of the photo, post-1963 (both addresses had ZIP codes). Both lived at the same address, so maybe they were mother and daughter.

Friends at Vassar College

front A group of women in a wooded setting. From the clothing, I'd guess this to be about 1880. One woman is labelled "Alice S." The inscription under the photo, partially clipped, reads "Friends at Vassar College."

Boating on Lake, Vassar College

front Untitled view of three women in a canoe on a lake. Other canoes and a building visible in the background.

back "Vassar College Lake Pokeepsie [sic] N.Y."

Vassar's Famous Daisy Chain Ceremony, 1931

front Inscription on the back: "Vassar's Famous Daisy Chain Ceremony Poughkeepsie NY .... Photo shows a general scene on the campus at Vassar College during the annual commencement ceremonies in which the daisy chain plays a most important part. To be selected as a member of the daisy chain is the fulfilment [sic] of every Vassar girl's college ambition. Spectators are shown here in the foreground as the yellow, white and green chain of flowers is carried along." An International News Photo.

Daisy Chain, Vassar College

front Students posing with the daisy chain.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. AZO. Inscription: "Vassar girls"

Daisy Chain, Vassar College

front Students posing with the daisy chain, circa 1907-1910. Plain back.

Class Day, 1910, Vassar College

front "Class Day 1910 Vassar College Photo by Fay" A congregation of students and guests in a field.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. AZO.

Field Day 1909, Vassar College

front "Field Day 1909, Vassar College" Students running a foot race before an audience.

back Divided back, postmarked May 31, 1909 2:30pm in Poughkeepsie NY. "This is the only kind of a letter that I have time for the Saturday before exams! Am going home next Thursday noon, go to W. H. week after, & later on to Silver Bay. Are any of you going down to see papa off? I hope you will, and go with me. Lots of love, W. E. T. May 29, 1909."

Students 1907, Vassar College

front Students in cap and gown. Photo by Gustave Lorey, Albany 1907.

Student Dramatics, Vassar College

front Students enacting Garden of Eden[?]. Photo by Vail. Undated.

Student Dramatics, Vassar College

front Students enacting math nightmare[?]. Photo by Vail. Undated.

Class of 1887, Vassar College

front "Composite Photograph of the Class of '87, Vassar College." Photographed by Vail Brothers, 254 & 256 Main St., Po'keepsie, N.Y.

Dramatics 1912, Vassar College

front Photographed by Gustave Lorey, 1912.

Florence Cushing, Vassar College alumna and trustee

front CDV portrait by Sarony's, Broadway NY. Inscription on the back: "F. M. Cushing / May, 1874 / C. E. Norton."

front CDV portrait by Sarony's, Broadway NY. Inscription on the back: "Florence. M. Cushing / May 1874 / L. A. Hamlin."

Vassar Daisy Chain, 1908

front "Vassar Graduation June '08 - Daisy Chain 404-6"

Class Day, 1911, Vassar College

front "Class Day 1911" A congregation of students with their daisy chain. Photograph by Fay.

back Divided back, postmarked Jun 23, 1911 1:30pm in Poughkeepsie, NY. "A blurry picture, Madeline, but it brings you a little message of my delight in seeing you last evening. I can't find Wanda here but have checked Mary Carter. With many good wishes for you. M.E.C."

Women on horseback, Vassar College

front Women on horseback in front of the main building. Photograph by Fay.

back Divided back, postmarked Nov 3, 1909 10am in Poughkeepsie, NY. "You must be a good boy and mind mama and study hard in school so you will pass. Bessie thinks of you all the time. Kiss Mama & Papa for me. Bessie could not get down town to buy you a birthday present so sent you these 2 postals of the building as it looks every day."