There have long been unsubstantiated reports that Frederick Law Olmsted designed Vassar’s bucolic Hudson Valley campus, although the source of Vassar’s early designs has remained unclear. Drawing on new archival research and a wealth of unpublished drawings, documents, and photos, this exhibition clarifies the Olmsted firm’s contributions to the college, from the visit of F. L. Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1868, through the fundamental recommendations of John Charles Olmsted in 1896 for the college’s expansion beyond Main Building, to the designs of Olmsted partner Percival Gallagher c. 1930 for circulation and plantings.
The Campus Green: The Olmsted Firm’s Designs for Vassar College
Hosted by Vassar College, Department of Art; organized by Yvonne Elet, Associate Professor of the History of Art and Architecture, and Caleb P. Mitchell, Vassar '22
Date
April 11 – June 6, 2022
Location
Vassar College Art LIbrary
(Enter through the Vassar Main Library. Campus guests and visitors are required to be vaccinated—vaccination or booster within the last six months—or have a negative COVID-19 test 24 hours before being on campus.)
Poughkeepsie, NY
Time