Christian Lantz Room, 1899

The Administration Building was originally constructed as the college’s first dormitory and also housed classrooms, offices, and the school’s first dining facility. Construction began on the dormitory the last week in April of 1895 and the corner stone of the building was laid on Friday, May 10th, 1895 with President Charles H. Barrows officiating. The dedication took place on June 17th, 1896, at which, President Barrows introduced the college’s fourth President, Laurence L. Doggett. Consummating the transfer to the new campus, the completion of the new dormitory in January 1896 was a milestone in Springfield College history. With the erection of the first building, the East gymnasium (1894), and the new dormitory, Springfield College began to lay permanent roots on the land along Lake Massasoit. During World War II, when the campus became a center of Army Training and the Naval Convalescent Hospital, the old dormitory was deemed a fire hazard and its top floors were removed. The resulting two-story building eventually became the Administration Building.

A caption on the back of the photograph reads, "Reading Room from Librarian's Office April 1899". The photograph is mounted on photoboard. Another copy of this image also exists, rg113-01-09-004

A photograph of the Christian Lantz Room, inside the Dormitory Building, taken from the perspective of the librarian's office. The room, a gift from John Lantz in honor of his brother (class of 1894), was located on the first floor of the building, known today as the Administration Building. The photograph features a student, sitting with his feet up on a chair and reading a book.