A House Full of Life!

By Elizabeth Randolph

There’s the bricks-and-mortar story of Alumnae House—and then there’s the life fostered within: bonds made and strengthened over burgers at the Pub; during overnight stays in the House’s comfy guest rooms; at memorable senior class celebrations; by way of intellectually stimulating lectures and panels; and through celebrations—marriages and other ceremonies—honoring transitions in life.

Two students in sitting in wood booth at the pub

Michael Kimmel ’72 and Rachel Simmons ’96 sitting together in mid conversation

Socializing in the pub throughout the ages. Directly above: Michael Kimmel ’72 and Rachel Simmons ’96 discuss the emerging crisis of teen mental health as part of the From the Pub series in 2013.

John Abbott / Evan Abramson ’00

The Pub

In 1937, the private dining room adjacent to the main dining room became a sandwich shop—it was an attempt to generate revenue within the space—but it would transition to a full-service restaurant, The Pub, in 1939. With its cozy booths and tasty food, it quickly became a beloved hangout for students, employees, and members of the local community.

In the March 1950 issue of the Vassar Quarterly, Eloise Sydenstricker Morton ’50, who worked as a cashier in the establishment while a student, reflected that, at its inception, “Nobody dreamed how much it would supplement and at times replace the formal dining room service. Nobody suspected that 300 starving souls might appear for a Sunday breakfast, or that 100 faculty and townspeople would be served luncheon every day, indoors and out, or that 10 dozen hamburgers could be ordered and grilled in a single evening. Nobody realized how students would take the Pub to their hearts and call it their own.”

Although the establishment had to cease operations as a full-service restaurant in 2009, it remains a gathering place for members of the Vassar community, hosting catered meetings, holiday celebrations, and other happenings, such as monthly Faculty Pub Nights—a chance for educators to relax and compare notes while enjoying drinks and nibbles. The Pub was even used as a location for taping the series From the Pub, which featured alums conversing on a variety of timely topics.

Vintage photo of students socializing in the pub

Nuptials

The House is a popular place for weddings. Martha Gouse Barry ’86, who has managed Alumnae House operations since 2007, says, “We average about five weddings a year—that’s 70 weddings in my time!” Alums and community members alike often have their rehearsal dinners, receptions, and post-wedding dinners there, as well.

Matt Soper and Samantha Trautman Soper, both ’91, first met as regular patrons of Matthew’s Mug, and became closer in their senior year, when Samantha served as the statistician for the soccer team (Matt was Co-Captain). But it wouldn’t be until Reunion, five years later, that they would recognize their romantic potential. Vassar was so much a part of their story that getting married on campus seemed a no-brainer. They were married in the Chapel 25 years ago and chose to hold the reception and dinner at Alumnae House—a place Matt describes as warm, familiar, and timeless. About 30 alums joined them to celebrate their union—many of their guests stayed overnight at the inn.

The House provided a place of solace for Keith St. John ’81 and his husband Bill Garber when they married 15 years ago, three years before same-sex marriage would be legalized in New York. There were a lot of challenges to overcome. The Episcopal Diocese of Albany, where they live, didn’t allow same-sex marriages on its property or allow its clergy to perform the service. They traveled across the border to Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage was legal and recognized by New York to get married legally, then drove to Poughkeepsie the next day to the “much-adored” Alumnae House, located outside of the Albany jurisdiction. St. John says it was the perfect setting for the wedding he wanted. “Aside from being steeped in history and a part of the College and campus I had grown to love during my years at Vassar,” he says, “I was attracted to the warmth, beauty, and charm of Alumnae House—it was emblematic of the style and sophistication I had hoped would characterize the entire event.”

Comforting Accommodations in Times of Need

Yes, the Alumnae House has spent most of its existence as an inn, but there have been times when it has offered a bit of solace to those in dire need of housing.

In October 1943, during World War II, Vassar President MacCracken sought permission to house 35 freshmen in Alumnae House, due to an underestimation of the incoming class size. The alumnae association obliged. The House re-opened to regular house guests again in 1945.

Throughout the first phase of the COVID pandemic, Alumnae House served as a place where students who had tested positive were able to isolate until they could return to campus. Aside from having a cushy place to land, students were fed meals and also treated to care packages arranged by local alums and House Manager Martha Barry.

Matt Soper and Samantha Trautman Soper just married standing near railing of balcony

Keith St. John and husband Bill Garber getting married

Alumnae House is a popular place for weddings and receptions. Matt Soper and Samantha Trautman Soper, both ’91, top, got married in the Chapel but hosted guests at a reception and dinner at the House. Keith St. John ’84 and husband Bill Garber exchanged vows there.

Courtesy of the subjetcs

All Things AAVC

The Alumnae Association of Vassar College (AAVC) has had a special relationship with the House—it’s where the executive directors of AAVC have had their offices and where the AAVC staff (now Alumnae/i Engagement) have always worked. Most of the administrative functions of the AAVC were absorbed into the structure of the College after an agreement between the entities in 2010.

Alumnae House has been a home base for AAVC Board functions, too. Each year the AAVC honors outstanding alums, faculty members, and staff who exemplify ideals of service, excellence in their fields, and that certain je ne sais quoi we call the “Vassar spirit.” The Alumnae House Dining Room has often been where the honorees are feted.

The House also provides a comfortable and inviting space for AAVC Board meetings. Brian Farkas ’10, a current Vice President of the AAVC Board, notes the extra special importance the House takes on not only when tackling board business, but also in the “off times” after meetings:

Sherrilyn Ifill surrounded by Sharon Davidson and Steve Hankins receiving the 2019 Spirit of Vassar Award

Previous class diners in mid conversation at a dinner in the dining room

From top: In the Alumnae House dining room, Sherrilyn Ifill ’84 received the 2019 Spirit of Vassar Award from Sharon Davidson Chang ’84, P’19, and Steve Hankins ’85, P’13, ’17. The nostalgia-inspiring dining room often hosts dinners for landmark classes during Reunion.

Karl Rabe

The best part of the board meetings comes around 10:00 p.m. After dinner is done, the Vassar administrators head home. Twenty spirited alums, spanning seven decades, are left all alone. Where do these nerdy Vassar people go? The library, of course! The Alumnae House Library is a small, elegant, Victorian, wood-paneled gem hidden away in the back of the House. Its hodgepodge of furniture includes soft couches and stiff chairs, all of it probably manufactured sometime between 1861 and 1961. The bookshelves are lined with a century of Vassarions on the left and 1980s trash-fiction on the right. For no particular reason, there are a few dozen copies of National Geographic on the top shelf. None of the lamps match, though no one seems to notice. There are nights the board stays there until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. discussing just about everything, assisted by wine and M&Ms. We talk about our Vassar friend groups, our families, and our careers. We also talk about our dreams for the College. Where can we lead this place over its next century? Where will it lead us? These conversations unfold under a portrait of Henry Noble MacCracken, Vassar’s fifth and longest-serving president, and among the most ambitious in our history. There’s something very Vassar about it all. The Alumnae House Library is a metaphor for Vassar itself—tiny and enormous, safe and subversive, curated and random, totally sheltered and Fearlessly Consequential.

Reunions

Graduating doesn’t mean alums need to miss out on spending time at Alumnae House. During Reunion weekends, Alumnae House holds a special treat for members of Vassar’s “vintage” classes, who stay and dine at the House.

Community Events

The Alumnae House often hosts catered events organized by members of the local community. Alumnae House Manager Martha Barry says, “We probably do one or two bar and bat mitzvahs per year, numerous bridal and baby showers, engagement and anniversary parties, baby christenings, memorial services, receptions, and holiday parties for the public.” There are also regular occasion spaces for such events as the Vassar Haiti Project, Poughkeepsie Yacht Club fund-raisers, and Murder Mystery Dinners.

Old black and white photograph of students smiling and laughing outside the doors

Archives and Special Collections

Close up of vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake or brownie desert

Revelry throughout the ages, including a recent Senior Reception, top. Students are first introduced to Alumnae House during Orientation, when they are encouraged to get a taste of their first Vassar Devil!

Logan Walker ‘27

student engagement

First-year students begin to get acquainted with the House as early as Orientation, when the College issues a “Traditions Checklist.” Students experience and “check off” Vassar traditions such as Convocation and Primal Scream for a chance to win prizes. One tradition involves a visit to the House, where students get their first chance to taste the College’s famous dessert—the Vassar Devil!

Since 2008, seniors have marked 100 nights before graduation with a party at Alumnae House bearing that name—100 Nights. There’s something about being close to the finish line that encourages revelry. Even closer to graduation, during Senior Week, students have traditionally gathered at Alumnae House for their Senior Receptions to celebrate the upcoming milestone. Who remembers posing for their senior class picture on those Vassar-famous steps?

Between their first year at the College and the last, students get the opportunity to visit the House for all manner of receptions, recitals, lectures, workshops, and panels.

Three students taking a selfie at a 100 nights party

Students celebrate the run up to graduation at a 100 Nights party. Below: During Senior Receptions, graduating classes have traditionally posed for group shots on the Alumnae House steps!

Karl Rabe

Students gathered outside alumnae house with Class of 2017 green banner

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