Early football conventions, where many of the most important innovations and changes were debated and voted on took place at the Massasoit House, Springfield, Massachusetts. Conventions were held here from 1876 through 1882, and changes that took place as a result of the Massasoit meetings included the reduction of the number of players from fifteen to eleven , the adoption of the possession rule and in 1882, the five yard rule (which basically acted to close a loophole in the possession rule). Walter Camp first attended in 1878 and sources like to say that Camp was a "fixture" at the Massasoit conventions. Camp remained on the rules committee until 1925.
A wonderful and scarce trade card related to an important part of early football history.
An early stereoview of Massasoit House
Always had a thing for old menus. This also was used as stationary and has a letter written on the back.
