Location Poughkeepsie, New York NRHP Reference # 73001183 Opened 1861 Added to NRHP 19 September 1973 | Built 1861 Designated NHL June 24, 1986 Area 2 ha Architect James Renwick Jr. | |
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Architectural style Second Empire architecture in Europe Similar Strong House, Davison House, Lathrop House, Cushing House, Ely Hall | ||
Main Building is on the Vassar College campus in Poughkeepsie, New York. 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 examples of Second Empire architecture in the United States and is a National Historic Landmark. 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.
It was taken over by protesters in 1969 and again in 1990.
It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Vassar Observatory, the first building built on the Vassar campus, is also a National Historic Landmark.
