Aerial photograph of the 2020 draining of Lake Massasoit

Evans, Chris · November 6, 2020

This is an aerial photograph of Lake Massasoit (the Watershops Pond) during the draining of the lake in early November 2020. The photograph is taken from the west from above International Hall and across the campus The lake can be seen beyond the campus almost drained. The lake was drained to allow the dam to be fixed. Most of the main buildings on campus can be seen. 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. This is a digital photograph. The image was printed and a print copy was placed in a folder within the collection.