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Administration Building Records

 Record Group — Box: 01
Identifier: RG-113

Collection Scope and Content

This collection documents the construction and renovations of Springfield College’s first dormitory, now known as the Administration Building. Mostly the collection contains photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building. Many of the photographs document dormitory life during the late 19th and early 20th century, and were included in an exhibit that is a reflected in the collection called the “Dormitory Life at the Turn of the Century.” Information about the dormitories construction and use by the US Navy can be found in the General Information folder.

Dates

  • Creation: ca. 1895-2010

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Conditions Governing Use

Rights status not fully evaluated.

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Historical Note

The Administration Building was originally constructed as the college’s first dormitory, first dining facility and classrooms on the current campus. Before the construction of the college’s first dormitory, known today as the Administration Building, students were housed at the Original School building on Mason or, as it was called then, Winchester Square that also housed the Armory YMCA. Construction began on the dormitory (Administration Building) the last week in April of 1895 and the corner stone of the building was laid on Friday, May 10th, 1895 with President Charles H. Barrows officiating. The dedication took place on June 17th, 1896, at which President Barrows introduced the college’s forth President, Laurence L. Doggett.

Consummating the transfer to the new campus, the completion of the new dormitory (Administration Building) in January 1896 was a milestone in Springfield College history. Just five years earlier the trustees had authorized the purchase of the Bowles-Alexander Estate and the authority to erect buildings on the property. With the erection of the first building, the East gymnasium (1894), and the new dormitory (Administration), Springfield College began to lay permanent roots on the land along Lake Massasoit. With the completion of the Administration Building, the college began the tradition of housing students on the main campus and likewise the students established traditions, friendships, and a home along Lake Massasoit.

In 1943, the dormitory did not meet the city’s fire safety codes. In order to meet fire safety codes and house the administration offices of the Naval Convalescent Hospital the following year, the dormitory was reduced from four floors to two floors, with a flat roof on the second story. The renovations and remodeling that took place from 1943-1944, leaving the building visually the same way that it looks today, as a two-story Administration building.

Chronology

1895 04/16/1895 Contracts close for the dormitory building construction

1895 Last week of April: Ground broken for dormitory construction

1895 Friday, May 10th The corner stone for the dormitory laid by F.B Pratt of the International Committee with Charles H. Barrows officiating.

1896 January construction ends and dormitory complete

1896 06/17/1896 The new dormitory was dedicated. President Barrows introduced the new President Doggett

1938 Sprinklers added to the new dormitory building

1943 The Administration building is officially condemned for use as a dormitory by the State Department of Public Safety. Property Committee voted that improvements need to be made on the Old Dormitory/Administration building, which did not meet with city/state fire safety codes and top two floors need to be strengthened. Committee votes that Mr. Dibbles plan to remodel the building be recommended for adoption.

1944 The Executive Committee votes to obtain a contract with Naval Authorities in Boston to use the Administration building. The plan for renovation was revoked and Mr. Holmes proposal that the dormitory be reduced to two floors with a flat roof on the second story is adopted. Committee votes authorization to make the change.

1944 June: E.J Pinney Company, Inc. General Contractors agrees to make changes to the dormitory in 60 days to be ready for the US Navy. Contract signed and the dormitory is reduced to two floors within two months.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Arrangement

Since this is an artificially created collection there is no original order. Materials within folders, other than those that are scanned, are not in any particular order.

History of the Collection

There was no formal acquisition of the materials for this collection. The collection is artificially created. Materials were received from different places at different times. The Acquisition sources and dates of the materials are unknown.

Digitized Materials

Browse digitized materials from this collection. This collection is partially digitized.

Related Materials: Records Within Springfield College Collections

  1. RG 110- Springfield College Building and Grounds Records
  2. Springfield College Trustee Records
  3. Springfield College Marketing and Communication Records--Scrapbooks and News Clippings
  4. RG 104- Springfield College Armed Forces World War I and II Collections
  5. Student Life--Photographs—Classrooms
  6. Springfield College Yearbook Collection
  7. Springfield College Catalog Collection
  8. Springfield College Newspaper Collection
Title
Administration Building Records
Status
Completed
Author
Amanda DiPaolo
Date
2011-09
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2022-06: Transferring information from original Word Document to ArchivesSpace
  • 2011-09: Revisions made to the finding aid by Jeffrey Monseau

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