April 29, 1869

The first Founder’s Day following Matthew Vassar’s death was a subdued and moving memorial to him.

“There was no reception, simply tea served in the dining room after the exercises. It was a most beautiful and appropriate service with Larghetto from Beethoven’s Second Symphony, played on the organ by Miss [Charlotte] Finch ‘72; eulogy by Miss Mary W. Whitney, Class of ’68; the Second Movement of Schumann’s Symphony in B flat arranged for four pianos; a memorial hymn written by one of the seniors, the music by Professor Ritter. So from the first to the last, it was the students’ tribute to Mr. Vassar and the loving honors.”

Frances A. Wood, Earliest Years at Vassar