Two photographs of soldiers swimming in McCurdy pool (1942)
Description:
Two photographs of World War II soldiers in the pool in McCurdy Natatorium on the campus of Springfield College (1942). In the top photograph, there are soldiers swimming in the pool. There is much splashing and they seem to be having a water fight. In the bottom photograph the soldiers in the pool appear to be training. A pole can clearly be seen in the hand of the shoulders as they swim.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
During the start of World War II, Springfield College served as training grounds for the Army Air Corps, which allotted the college $90,000 for upgrading facilities. In the spring of 1944, the training program was canceled; in order to conserve its assets for expanded postwar operations in the face of decreasing student enrollment, Springfield College negotiated a contract with the U.S. Navy to serve as a Naval Special Hospital. The Navy allotted $75,000 to bring the college up to the mark of a naval hospital, and the first contingent of one hundred and fifty patients arrived on September 22, 1944, and it was estimated that five hundred patients could be served. Alumni Hall was used as the hospital, and the old dormitory (now called the Administration Building) became administrative offices and housing for nurses and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Judd Gymnasia was the first building erected on the newly purchased land along Massasoit Lake and formally opened o
