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Channel 22 news report on the ground breaking of the Physical Education Complex, ca. 1980

 Folder — Box: 01, Folder: 11

Collection Scope and Content

From the Record Group:

This collection documents the Memorial Field House from the time it was the Naval Training Facility in Sampson, NY, when it was moved to Springfield College in 1947 and, finally, when it was decommissioned and demolished in 1979. The collection contains pamphlets, newspaper articles, letters, videos, audio recordings, photographs, and bricks from the original structure. A book lists all contributors to the Memorial Field House Fund that helped bring the field house to Springfield College. Of particular interest are the dedication and opening day materials, including an audio recording on wire. In addition, there are many newspaper articles, memos, and other information regarding the condemnation of the Field House and the resulting campaign to fund a new physical education complex. Within these materials is a video cassette, titled “Paramount Studio Fire” and dated February 16, 1979, that actually contains footage of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Physical Education complex filmed by Channel 22 news. Also included a number of pieces of the old field house, including three bricks, a piece of the Gymnasium floor boards from what was called the North Gym, an original wooden school desk from Room 400, and a small metal letter “M” measuring around 8 ½” square that was the “M” in Memorial on one of the signs on the outside of the building. The metal “M” was donated by Dean Charles Redmond and was originally given to him by students who had snuck into the structure after it had been condemned to steal the letter. The original desk has a letter of authenticity signed by Dean Charles Redmond. The desk is also signed by him.

Among the many photographs in the collection are a couple photographs of the structure as it appeared and was used at the Naval Base. Also, there are many photographs of the deconstruction and reconstruction of the building when it was moved in 1947. Among the prints of the demolition are some photographs of the original cornerstone that was removed during the demolition. Interior shots also include a couple of photographs of the locker room.

Dates

  • Creation: ca. 1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Extent

From the Record Group: 2 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Record Group: English

Item information

The video is recorded on a SONY 3/4 inch U-matic video tape JVC S type Videocassette. On the box of the videocassette, it says "Springfield College - Field House", which is why the item is placed in the Memorial Field House collection. On the videocassette, it is written "PARAMOUNT STUDIO FIRE" and "2-6-79", which have nothing to do with the content of the video since the ceremony took place on February 11, 1980; There was debate as to whether to move this video to the Physical Education Complex Collection, but it was decided it was best to leave where it was and allow the digital record allow for connection.

Repository Details

Part of the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Springfield College
Judd Gymnasia
263 Alden Street
Springfield Massachusetts 01109 U.S.A. US
413-748-3309