Group of men surrounding Lake Massasoit

Item Information

Title:
Group of men surrounding Lake Massasoit
Description:
This postcard shows a group of men on and around a dock on Lake Massasoit. Other than the man in the water, all are dressed in shirts and ties. Two men are holding a rope attached to a person floating in the water, while the other men are watching. One man appears to be sitting on a diving board, while another main is on a platform above the water. The backside of the postcard is stamped with "Russell 1912" and Jun 25, 1962, though it is not sure what either of these stamps refer to as neither of these dates appears to be in reference to the event pictured.
Date:
1909–1940
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Lake Massasoit Records
Subjects:
Lake Massasoit
Springfield College--Campus
Springfield College
Springfield (Mass.)
Lakes & ponds
Swimming
Swimmers
Diving boards
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
Postcard; 2 Pages
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/8211
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, Babson Library, 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
Language:
English
Notes:
In 1809, Lake Massasoit was formed by the army by damming the Mill River. The purpose of the dam was to ensure a constant flow of water downstream for the Springfield Armory “Watershops.” The Springfield Armory was America’s first and last National Armory, formed in 1777 and continuing production up until 1968. The formerly named Watershops Pond has 7 miles of shoreline and covers 186 acres. From 1892-1900, the buildings of Springfield College began to come about, and the name was changed to Lake Massasoit by Springfield College officials. The name came from a local hotel, the Massasoit House, owned by Marvin Chapin, a generous benefactor of the college. In 1920, the college purchased a large area of land on the upper end of the pond, and called it the “Freshman Camp.” Since the college was formed, students, faculty and visitors have used the Pond for sailing, swimming, ice skating and fishing. However, the lake was officially closed for swimming in 1984 when the lake was said to be unhealthy.
Identifier:
rg149-05-02-04-001