THE VASSAR FAMILY
The history of Poughkeepsie is inextricably linked to the Vassar family. James Vassar moved America in the late 1700s, and established a brewery in 1797. This would burn down in 1811, resulting in the death of his son John. His other son Matthew rebuilt what became the Vassar Brewery, one of the largest in the US at its time. Matthew also adopted his brother's two sons, Matthew (who became Matthew Jr.) and John Jr.
Matthew founded Vassar College. Vassar Brothers Hospital was founded by Matthew Jr. in his will. John Jr. further contributed to the endowment of the hospital upon his death.
Among the other profiles on VHV in which the Vassars played a role are Springside, which was purchased by Matthew the elder in 1850 and originally intended as a cemetery, and Cuneen-Hackett, the location of which served as Matthew the elder’s home prior to the construction of Springside. The effect of the Vassar family on the city of Poughkeepsie is much greater than just these few sites, and is a profound one even now.