Century-Old Time Capsule Opened
October 19, 2010SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Oct. 15, 2010 -- During the official opening of the newly renovated Judd Gymnasia, the oldest building at Springfield College, on Oct. 13, Springfield College President Richard B. Flynn, student leaders and college archivist Jeff Monseau opened a time capsule that had been unearthed during renovation. The century-old time capsule, which measures about seven by nine by six inches, had been sealed and placed in the corner of West Gym when it was built in 1910.
The capsule included:
| 1. | “Daily Springfield Republican,” dated Thursday, June 2, 1910, comprised of the entire edition of 16 pages |
| 2. | A copy of the 1910 Massasoit yearbook |
| 3. | “Classified Bibliography of Boys Life and Organized Work With Boys” by J.T. Bowne, reprinted from “Association Boys” August 1906 |
| 4. | “Classification for Physical Training,” second edition, by J.H. McCurdy and J.T. Bowne, published 1902 |
| 5. | “Second Statement of the School for Christian Workers,” published Nov. 1885, which was the School’s first catalog |
| 6. | “The Association Seminar and Springfield Student,” Oct. 1909 to May 1910; “The Student” was first published in the “Association Seminar” |
| 7. | “A Bibliography of Physical Training,” by J.H. McCurdy, published in 1905 |
| 8. | “Studies in Adolescent Boyhood,” by Hanford M. Burr, published in 1910 |
| 9. | “The Institute and Training School of Young Men’s Christian Associations with Announcements for 1910-11” |
| 10. | “View Book of Springfield, Massachusetts” (pictorial view of Springfield), published by Johnson’s Bookstore, 1910 |
| 11. | “Twenty-fifth Annual Catalog of the International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School, 1909-1910” |
| 12. | Twenty-fifth Anniversary pamphlets of the YMCA Training School, including the 24th commencement exercises pamphlet and invitations to the ceremonies |
| 13. | “The Life of Robert McBurney,” by Laurence L. Doggett, published in 1902 |
| 14. | A list of all the donors who helped pay for the new West Gymnasium |
| 15. | A copy of the Nov. 1909 Bulletin |
| 16. | A rolled School photo taken on May 20, 1910 |
One of the most historic sites in Springfield, Judd Gymnasia was the location of some of the earliest basketball games in history. The inventor of the game of basketball, Springfield College Alumnus and Instructor Dr. James Naismith, taught in the building and participated in the dedication of its original section, completed in 1894.
Judd Gymnasia was also the site of the naming of the game of volleyball, which was invented by Springfield College Alumnus William G. Morgan. Springfield College Professor A.T. Halstead suggested the title after attending an exhibition game there.
The original section of Judd Gymnasia was designed by B.H. Seabury with great input from Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick, director of the Springfield College Physical Department. Gulick, who is widely regarded as the father of physical education and recreation in the United States, assured that many features he had studied were included, making the facility one of the most complete gymnasiums in the United States.
This structure later became known as East Gymnasium when West Gymnasium was added in 1910. Edward Lippincott Tilton, a well-known American architect who specialized in designing libraries in the United States and Canada and at educational institutions, designed West Gymnasium. Added later was McCurdy Natatorium, which was considered a modern marvel because of its continuous filtration system that eliminated the need to constantly replace water.
In 1953, the building was named in honor of Leslie Judd, the famed Springfield College gymnastics coach and teacher. Over the years, Judd Gymnasia has housed academic and recreational programs and offices of coaches and faculty members.
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