National Historic Landmark

Main Building, Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York
Listed
September 18, 1973
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73001183

About this property

The Main Building of Vassar College is the oldest surviving building on its campus in Poughkeepsie, New York, and the center of academic life. It was built by James Renwick Jr. in the Second Empire style in 1861, the second building in the history of what was one of America's first women's colleges. It is one of the earliest, largest, and most important examples of Second Empire architecture in the United States and is a National Historic Landmark for its architecture and educational significance. At the time of its completion, the structure contained the most interior space of any building in the United States, and housed the entire college, including dormitories, libraries, classrooms, and dining halls. Currently, the first and second floors house campus administration while the remaining three (including the second floor wings) house student rooms.

Location

Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York
41.68675, -73.89510

Categories

EDUCATIONARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Vassar College Observatory
Industrial
0.1 mi
Rombout House
Industrial
0.5 mi
Freer House
Industrial
0.9 mi
Clark House
Industrial
1 mi
Ethol House
Industrial
1.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Main Building, Vassar College listed on the National Register?

Main Building, Vassar College was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1973.

What type of historic resource is Main Building, Vassar College?

Main Building, Vassar College is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Main Building, Vassar College a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Main Building, Vassar College has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Main Building, Vassar College?

The period of significance for Main Building, Vassar College is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Main Building, Vassar College?

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