The Preserve at Vassar: Difference between revisions
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== History == | == History == | ||
The original Vassar Farm was 200 acres purchased in 1895. The land had previously been owned by the Vassar Brothers Hospital. The land was first used as a settling bed to help with the College's sewage problem.<ref name=":1" /> In 1911, 300 more acres were gifted by Augustus and May Elton Davies. | The original Vassar Farm was 200 acres purchased in 1895. The land had previously been owned by the Vassar Brothers Hospital. The land was first used as a settling bed to help with the College's sewage problem.<ref name=":1" /> In 1911, 300 more acres were gifted by Augustus and May Elton Davies. | ||
In the 1950s the Farm was deemed too expensive and ceased to be used. In the 1970s, Poughkeepsie was considering seizing the land if it did not contribute to the College's educational goals. In 1973, Professor of Biology [[Margaret Wright]] proposed the space be used as an ecological field station. <ref>[https://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds-technology/grounds/the-vassar-farm-and-ecological-preserve/ The Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve - Vassar Encyclopedia - Vassar College]</ref> | From 1926 to 1947, the [[Outing Club]] operated a cabin at the southern end of the Farm known as the [[Outing Club#History|Tabard]]. In the 1950s the Farm was deemed too expensive and ceased to be used. In the 1970s, Poughkeepsie was considering seizing the land if it did not contribute to the College's educational goals. In 1973, Professor of Biology [[Margaret Wright]] proposed the space be used as an ecological field station. <ref>[https://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds-technology/grounds/the-vassar-farm-and-ecological-preserve/ The Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve - Vassar Encyclopedia - Vassar College]</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Grounds]] | [[Category:Grounds]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:33, 15 July 2026
The Preserve at Vassar, usually called the Vassar Preserve or simply the Preserve, encompasses half of Vassar's total property.[1] It is located south of Main Campus, across New Hackensack Road. The land was originally the Vassar Farm beginning in 1895, which provided food for the College. In the 1950s the land ceased to be a Farm, and in the 1970s it first began to be used as an ecological field station after two decades of disuse.[2]
In more recent years, the Preserve has also been known as the Vassar Farm and Ecological Preserve, but in the 2020s the use of this was discontinued. While many names were considered, including "The Open", it was decided to keep the name simply the Preserve at Vassar.[2]
While the main campus of the College is entirely in the Town of Poughkeepsie, the Preserve is split between both the City of Poughkeepsie and the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Uses
Poughkeepsie Farm Project
The Poughkeepsie Farm Project is food security nonprofit that operates a farm at the northern end of the Preserve.[3] They offer a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where people may buy CSA shares to get a portion of their harvest. The small structure at 51 Farm Lane, formerly the College Creamery, is used by the PFP.[1]
Environmental Cooperative
The Environmental Cooperative is based out of the old Cow Barn at the northern end of the Preserve.[4] The Cooperative is an outreach organization that provides programs like Exploring Science to the Poughkeepsie community.
Field Station
The Priscilla Bullitt Collins Research Station is located at the end of Vassar Farm Road in the southern part of the Preserve. This is used for research and other scientific initiatives at the Preserve. It is the home of the Native Plant Propagation & Restoration, Environmental Stewardship, and Environmental Monitoring teams that operate throughout the preserve.[1]
History
The original Vassar Farm was 200 acres purchased in 1895. The land had previously been owned by the Vassar Brothers Hospital. The land was first used as a settling bed to help with the College's sewage problem.[2] In 1911, 300 more acres were gifted by Augustus and May Elton Davies.
From 1926 to 1947, the Outing Club operated a cabin at the southern end of the Farm known as the Tabard. In the 1950s the Farm was deemed too expensive and ceased to be used. In the 1970s, Poughkeepsie was considering seizing the land if it did not contribute to the College's educational goals. In 1973, Professor of Biology Margaret Wright proposed the space be used as an ecological field station. [5]