Physics Lab and Soldiers Dorm at Springfield College
Description:
This is a document that contains two photographic prints of the facilities at Springfield College during World War II. The top photograph from this page shows a dorm room for soldiers from the 323rd College Training Detachment on the campus of Springfield College. The room was in Alumni Hall. There is one bunk bed, two tables - each with one chair. You can also see two dressers in the room. In the second photo, you see a part of Room 30 which is the Physics Lab. Inside the room there are many tables and stools for students to sit on. You can also see bookshelves filled with books and other instruments used for experiments. At the start of World War II, Springfield College served as training grounds for the Army Air Corps, which allotted the college $90,000 for upgrading facilities. In the spring of 1944, the training program was canceled; in order to conserve its assets for expanded postwar operations in the face of decreasing student enrollment, Springfield College negotiated a contract with the U.S. Navy to serve as a Naval Special Hospital. The Navy allotted $75,000 to bring the college up to the mark of a naval hospital, and the first contingent of one hundred and fifty patients arrived on September 22, 1944. It was estimated that five hundred patients could be served. Alumni Hall was used as the hospital, and the old dormitory (now called the Administration Building) became administrative offices and housing for nurses and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
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, 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.
