Chestnut Hunt, 1899

Item Information

Title:
Chestnut Hunt, 1899
Description:
This photograph depicts the several members of the classes of 1900, 1901 and 1902 of the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, who participated in the Chestnut hunt.
Creator:
Brainard, Thomas M.
Date:
1899
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
IMLS YMCA Historical Image Collection
Subjects:
International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (Springfield, Mass.)
Seerley, Frank N.
Chestnuts
Hunting
Group portraits
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
20 x 25.25 cm.
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/8294
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
Notes:
The hunt was supervised by Frank N. Seerley, seated in the top row in white shirt, light colored cap and mustache. Professor Seerley was Instructor in Anatomy, Psychology and Personal Work on the school from 1890 on. This photograph depicts the members of the school engaging in an annual event. The 1904 yearbook describes it thus, "As frost begins to appear all look forward with eager interest to the annual chestnut hunt on the Wilbraham Hill, ten miles to the east. The trip is usually made in springless ice wagons with or without seats, or perchance an electric car is chartered which leaves the party within a mile of its happy hunting ground. The men dress in their old clothes, ready for a good time in any way, shape or manner. Songs, rough and tumble, tramping, and eating apples, together with apple and water fights, add their might to the pleasure of the day." The men set up camp, eat dinner, and then "the fellows scatter over the hills in search of fruit and nuts. Usually some get lost and fail to appear at the appointed time. These have the pleasure of walking with their booty to the nearest trolley. Those who are on time keep up interest on the return trip by singing college songs. At last all reach the school tired, but laden with many spoils." (The Massasoit 1904, pg. 65). The photo is believed to have been taken by Thomas Brainard. The verso reads "Chestnut hunt 1899 by T. M. Brainard".
A handwritten caption on the verso of the photograph reads, "Chestnut Hunt 1899 taken by T.M. Brainard", and an accompanying glass negative picture [GLASS-SC18857 - http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6268 ] also depicts another moment of this activity, the men up on the hilltop searching for chestnuts.
Identifier:
SC21343