Marsh Memorial Main Reading Room

A photograph of students studying in Springfield College's Marsh Memorial Library. Featured in the photograph is a stained glass window. The window has four panels with the International YMCA College emblem encircled by the words "Int'nl Y.M.C.A. College Alumni Association." It was donated by the class of 1911. Located on either side of the window are two bronze sculptures. Featured in the photograph is a bronze sculpture entitled "Tradition and Progress" by Louis Potter. The sculpture was a gift of the class of 1914. The sculpture on the right, created by Hermon Atkins MacNeil in 1899 and entitled "The Sun Vow" was a gift of college president Laurence Doggett and his wife Carolyn. The work portrays two Native Americans straining to follow an arrow's flight. It is based on a rite of passage heard by MacNeil in which a boy on the threshold of manhood must shoot an arrow directly into the sun in order to be accepted as a warrior of his tribe.Marsh Memorial served as the College’s library until the opening of Babson Library in 1971. After Babson Library was opened, Marsh Memorial was renovated for other uses. A chapel was developed in the large room in Marsh, featured in this photograph, which already contained stained glass windows. Marsh is still used for religious purposes today, offering regular worship services for members of the college. Other offices the building houses are the President’s office, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Department of Public Safety