Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • May 26, 2020

1881, May 6. Yesterday we went to town see the opening of the Vassar Brothers Home for old men. I looked at Matthew Vassar (Vassar College’s founder’s nephew) with admiration. It is a good deal to be successful in getting money, to give it away by tens of thousands is more! And to see a man upwards of 70 stand up in a crowd and say exactly the right thing and sit down before the audience was tired, is not usual . . . .


Maria Mitchell always says it well. Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College, had originally wanted to establish a hospital in his name. His nephew, also named Matthew Vassar, was once of several who convinced him to establish a women’s college. Vassar would still go on to be a generous man in supporting the Poughkeepsie area – I believe a hospital was built – and obviously his nephew continued n in the same tradition as noted by Maria Mitchell here.


This reminds me of Bill Gates and Berkshire Hathaway founder Warren Buffett and many other multi-millionaires and billionaires who have pledged to give away much of their wealth. There were people in the nineteenth century and earlier, during the Great Depression and later who saw a need and gave willingly. The MMA was such a recipient in its building of the Vestal Street Observatory in the early 1900s when some monies were given to its building by Andrew Carnegie. A small new observatory on an isolated island – he knew we were in need and knew it could be something tremendous that contributed to our knowledge and education – and he was right!

Further, Vassar was not looking for accolades as Maria also notes. Buffett, Carnegie, Gates, they don’t look for accolades and I would assume that all would know what to say and would not continue to speak on and on, nor stand until the audience could no longer clap. That’s class – for lack of a better word – and reaching out to give to others when you have so much or so much more that you cannot ever use it all. That is compassion, caring, generosity and kindness.


JNLF

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Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • September 21, 2026
Sept. 24, 1881. . . . Mr. I. {van Ingen} thinks that not a person on the Board of Trustees would approve of the clause in Mr. Vassar’s will which objected to women as occupants of chairs. Just months before, Maria Mitchell had written a letter describing the controversy surrounding the bequest of Matthew Vassar to the college he founded. The large sum was separated out within his will, including the establishment of department chairs. The bequest for this action, however, did not allow for women professors to have a chair. Quite shocking for a women’s college but then, there were early trustees in the College’s founding who believed that women professors should not exist at Vassar! Maria would be the first professor Vassar hired – male OR female. JNLF

Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association Announces Scalloping Field Trip Programs and Special Scalloping Experiences in October and November

September 18, 2026
NANTUCKET, MA— The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Scalloping Field Trip Programs and Special Scalloping Experiences, set to begin October 1. These hands-on, educational experiences invite participants to explore the island’s coastal waters alongside MMA Aquarium staff while learning about the ecology and conservation of Nantucket’s iconic bay scallops. SCALLOPING FIELD TRIPS Join the MMA Aquarium Manager, Chelsea Petrik, and head into the water to collect scallops while learning about their biology, life cycle, and the challenges bay scallops face in today’s changing environment. Hand nets and adult waders will be provided. A shellfish permit is required to participate if attendees wish to take their catch home. Scalloping Field Trips meet at one of multiple locations along Nantucket Harbor to account for changing scallop availability. Registrants will be notified of the exact location via email before the day of the program. Personal transport to and from the meeting location is required to participate. Dates: October 1 ,3, 4, 7, 8, 14, 17, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, and 31; November 1, 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, and 22. Cost per Participant: $50 Pre-registration is required for this event and closes two hours before the start time of the program. Scalloping Field Trip Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/Scalloping-Field-Trip-01Oct2026 Private group scalloping field trips are also available for groups of up to eight people on select dates. To inquire, please e-mail programs@mariamitchell.org. “THE GREAT SCALLOP HUNT” — A SPECIAL SCALLOPING EXPERIENCE In addition to the MMA’s regular Scalloping Field Trips, the MMA will offer “The Great Scallop Hunt, an Island Immersion” on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. These special, separately ticketed experiences invite participants aboard Captain Bruce Beebe’s boat for an insider scalloping expedition on Nantucket Sound. Guests will harvest, shuck, and savor fresh Nantucket Bay scallops alongside Captain Beebe, with a picnic lunch and beverages included. Only six spots are available for each of these exclusive opportunities to discover Nantucket with Bruce Beebe, exploring the island’s most cherished traditions and hidden corners. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are $500 per person, with $250 of the ticket price tax-deductible. These experiences are separate from the $50 Scalloping Field Trip Program described above. A shellfish permit is required for attendees who wish to take their catch home. The Great Scallop Hunt Registration Link: https://112458a.blackbaudhosting.com/112458a/The-Great-Scallop-Hunt For more information on obtaining an individual shellfish permit, visit the Town of Nantucket website: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/2304/Shellfish-Permit . The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###
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