This photograph shows five boats on Springfield Massachusetts Lake Massasoit. There are two canoes and three racing shells for rowing or crew as the sport is sometimes known as in the US. The front boat is a single shell or scull and there is also a four person boat with coxswain. The picture is said to be taken during one of International YMCA College's aquatics class. This picture is a duplicate, yet this one is placed on a cardboard background unlike the original photograph. To see the other image: http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/9226. 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.
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