The Roarbots’ series of NPS Adventures takes a big-picture view of one location within the National Park Service and highlights some of the best activities that site has to offer. This is usually done through a kid-friendly lens and almost always includes activities and suggestions we can recommend from personal experience. And pictures. There are lots and lots of pictures. Glad to have you aboard!

Welcome to Springfield Armory National Historical Site!

Stats

• Springfield Armory National Historical Site
• Location: Massachusetts
• Established: 1978
• Admission: Free

Often called the Forge of Innovation, Springfield Armory began as a major arsenal under the authority of General George Washington early in the Revolutionary War. Note that an arsenal is a storage and supply depot – essentially a warehouse. From 1777 through 1794, it was primarily responsible for repairing small arms, making cartridges, and storing powder and other war materials. It was also the scene of a battle during Shays’ Rebellion in 1786.

In 1795, the federal government purchased the arsenal and President Washington turned it into the first national armory (along with another at Harpers Ferry, Virginia). Note that an armory is a place where weapons are made.

All of the firearms were originally made by hand by gunsmiths and artisans. As the years (and wars) progressed, and the need for ever more guns only increased, Springfield Armory became the site of considerable innovation and improvements to various manufacturing processes.

Within decades, Springfield Armory had perfected pioneering manufacturing methods that were critical to American industrialization. And it became the epicenter of U.S. military small arms research, development, and production until it closed in 1968.

Armory Building

The historic (1840s) main arsenal is today the home of the visitor center and museum – and world’s largest collection of historic American military firearms. It’s also pretty much the only building of note that’s actually part of the NPS site. However, the site is on the southwest end of Springfield Technical Community College, and the entire campus spreads out in front of the armory. So it looks much bigger than it actually is.

(Click on all pictures to embiggen.)

Museum

Inside the armory building, the museum is primarily split into two large exhibits: one for industrial machinery, and one for historic arms.

The museum started as a technical reference library for the workers and engineers at Springfield Armory, and it’s grown into one of the largest collections of military small arms in the world. Though the bulk of the collection is not on public display, there are still more historic guns on display than you’re likely to have ever seen in one place. (If you’re really itching to see something specific, their collection is online here.)

The industrial machinery side of the museum has a LOT of obscure machines that were used during various stages of the gunmaking process. Also on display are other machines and technologies that grew out of the innovations made at Springfield Armory.

But most people come to Springfield Armory to check out the historic rifles and guns on display. And like I said, it doesn’t disappoint. A majority of the guns date to the Civil War, but there are displays and exhibits that trace the development of warfare, small arms, and Springfield’s contribution to it all through the late 60s (when the Armory closed its doors for good).

The “Organ of Muskets”

Junior Ranger

Like most NPS sites, Springfield Armory NHS has a park-centric Junior Ranger program. Kids get an opportunity to learn about Springfield Armory through the years, Civil War rifles, and some of the inventions that came out of the Industrial Revolution. The Junior Ranger program is one of the highlights of any NPS visit for the little Roarbots. It wouldn’t be a visit without a passport stamp and a Junior Ranger badge/pin! And at Springfield Armory, they offer both a patch AND a chonky, extra-thick wooden pin!