The area of town now called Riverdale was, at first, called “Chicopee Playne” or “Chicopee Field”. In 1645 the lands of Chicopee Field were distributed to several different early settlers and by 1660 large sections of the northern and central parts of Chicopee Field were owned by the Ashley and Bagg families. For 200 more years the Ashley family continued to add to its land holdings in Chicopee Field and in time this entire section of West Springfield became known as Ashleyville.
The large open field, with the Dominican Nuns Monastery of the Mother of God beautifully situated at the top of the hill, gives us a glimpse of what Ashleyville looked like during those early years when the land was all pasture or farmland.
The Dominican Nuns are a cloistered order that spends their communal life in prayer, contemplation and service. Their West Springfield community was established in 1925 when the Roman Catholic Church bought the 142 acre Nye estate which included a large mansion situated where the monastery is now located. In time the Order outgrew the Nye Mansion and in 1955 the cornerstone for the present building was set. The last part of the Monastery to be constructed was the chapel, which was completed in 1960. The Nuns support themselves by making beautifully crafted prayer and Mass cards.
The view from the monastery is spectacular and many old-time residents of town can remember a time when winter snow meant bringing the sled to “The Monastery” for the ride of a lifetime.