Buildings and Belonging

Raymond House

Raymond House was built in 1897, the same year Anita Florence Hemmings graduated after omitting mention of her African heritage. Beginning in 1940, Raymond housed the first openly African American student at Vassar: Dr. Beatrix McCleary Hamburg ’44, a light-skinned woman who regularly introduced herself by saying, “Hello. I’m Betty, I’m a Negro.” Over the next year, other Black students, including Dr. June Jackson Christmas ’45-44 (See video.) and Camille Cottrell Espeut ’45-44, entered the College. Each lived in Raymond for a period of time while at Vassar.

Black and white headshot of a person smiling and looking off camera.
Dr. June Jackson Christmas ’45-44
Black and white pohoto portrait of a person in front of a white wall.
Camille Cottrell ’45-44.
Black and white headshot of a person smiling and looking off camera.
Dr. Beatrix McCleary Hamburg ’44