Soldier standing at the edge of the McCurdy Natatorium (1942)

Item Information

Title:
Soldier standing at the edge of the McCurdy Natatorium (1942)
Description:
A photograph of a World War II soldier standing at the edge of the pool in the McCurdy Natatorium on the campus of Springfield College (1942). The soldier is dressed in full uniform with a pack and two poles strapped onto his back.
Date:
1942
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
Springfield College Armed Forces Collection
Subjects:
Springfield College
International Young Men's Christian Association College
World War, 1939-1945
Judd Gymnasia
Springfield College--Buildings
McCurdy Natatorium
Springfield (Mass.)
Soldiers
Military training
Military uniforms
Swimming pools
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16122coll16/id/1097
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
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
Identifier:
rg104-02-c-03-01-008