The Class of 1951 Observatory is located near the eastern edge of the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, on Vassar College's campus.

The observatory was built in 1997 and sponsored by the Vassar class of 1951 who donated funds for its construction on the occasion of their forty-fifth reunion.

[1] Roth and Moore Architects designed the new building which consists of three distinct segments: a central connecting area with a half round roof oriented southward, and two domes (one east and one west) that house the telescopes.

The building's interior is additionally well insulated to give off as little thermal pollution as possible.

The Class of 1951 Observatory also houses classrooms and offices which are furnished with laminated wood arches.