House Descriptions
Cushing
Built in 1927, designed by architects Allen and COLA's. Cushing was named after Florence Cushing, an early graduate of Vassar and a trustee who brought us the piece of Plymouth Rock that is built into the structure of the New England building. Originally, Cushing was a freshman house but now it houses students of all years.
Davison
Davison House was built in 1902, completing the quadrangle of Elizabethan-style Houses. Trustee John D. Rockefeller paid for the building and named it for his mother, Eliza Davison.
Jewett
Jewett House was the first of Vassar's traditional Houses to undergo a complete renovation. The Master Plan for Residential Life will eventually update all of Vassar's dorms while preserving their architectural integrity. Built in 1907, the House was originally called "North" because of its position on the quad. Henry MacCracken, president of the college in 1915, decided to rename the building after Milo P. Jewett, whose liberal views on how women should be educated were instrumental in the creation of the college.
Josselyn
Olivia Josselyn House was designed by Francis Allen and completed in 1912. It was the gift of Mrs. Russell Sage who named the building in honor of her mother. Josselyn had the distinction of being the first House on campus to have showers.
Lathrop
Lathrop House, built in 1901, was modeled after the already existing Strong and Raymond. The third of the Quad houses, it was built with college funds and named after Dr. Edward Lathrop, a charter trustee whose daughter, Julia Lathrop, class of 1880, was a prominent alumna.
Main
Main House was built in 1865, designed by James Renwick, Jr. Now a National Historic Monument, this House was originally the only building of the college. It was built to accommodate both academic and residential life, heated by a boiler and gas house 400 feet behind it. The library was on the third floor and the art gallery was on the fourth floor. Even though there are eight more Houses on campus, many more academic buildings, and a separate dining hall, all students pass through Main Building at least once a day. The first two floors of the building are now administrative offices for the Office of the President, Residential Life, Dean of Studies, Registrar and many others. It still remains the hub of activity at Vassar College.
Noyes
Noyes House, built in 1958, designed by Eero Saarinen, and was the last House to be built. The money for Noyes was given to the college by the family of Emma Hartman Noyes (class of 1880). Built to hold 156 students and two House Fellows with their families, the curved building lies in front of a large green, fondly called "Noyes Circle." Noyes has always stood out from the rest of the campus; its mushroom-like architecture at the doorways continues inside, where the lounge mimics this reproduction of "nature."
Raymond
Raymond House, the second House to be built on the quad, was erected in 1897, designed by Francis Allen. Named after the second president of Vassar, Raymond was built to accommodate an overflow of applications being made to Strong (the first quad house to be built).
Strong
Strong House is one of the most visible present ties to Vassar’s all female tradition. As the first House and quad house, Strong was built in 1893. The women who live in Strong enjoy the benefits of an all female residence that offers single sex bathrooms, privacy, and the many comforts of home. This house offers the co-educational experience by promoting the interaction of men and women through social and educational programming. Strong is closest to Raymond House and has the most singles of the Quad houses.