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Free walking tours of Vassar College history to be offered on three upcoming Saturdays (10/22, 10/29, 11/5)

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Free walking tours of the historic Vassar College campus will be held on October 22, October 29, and November 5 at both 10:00am and 1:00pm on each day. The October 22 and November 5 tours will be led by Colton Johnson, Dean Emeritus of the College and Professor Emeritus of English. Psychology professor Randy Cornelius will lead the October 29 tours. All tours will begin at the front entrance to the college’s Main Building, and will be held rain or shine.

Highlights will include Main Building and the Judith Loeb Chiara ’49 Center at the Maria Mitchell Observatory, two structures on the National Register of Historic Places. Main was the largest building in the United Sates when the college opened for classes in 1865, and its design was inspired by the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The observatory was completed in 1864 for the preeminent astronomer Maria Mitchell, the first faculty member Vassar hired. The tours will also include the Vassar Chapel and the college's Thompson Memorial Library, which is renowned both for its collegiate gothic architecture and its large Lady Cornaro stained glass window.

The Vassar campus is also a designated arboretum that’s home to over 200 different species and thousands of trees all told, so fall colors will be flourishing.

To sign-up for a tour contact Allyce Braddy in the Office of Communications at albraddy@vassar.edu or (845) 437-7400. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact the Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is located on Raymond Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie, and free on-campus parking is available. Directions to the campus can be found at http://www.vassar.edu/directions.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential, liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Posted by Office of Communications Wednesday, October 12, 2011