2016 - A Year in Review

Springfield ArmoryNAT I O N A L H I S T O R I C S I T E

Social Media: facebook.com/SPARNHS twitter.com/SPARNHSWebsite: www.nps.gov/spar

For 174 years, the men and womenof Springfield Armory shaped America’s

destiny through pioneering technological

innovation, improved manufacturing

processes, and increased use of labor-

saving machines. Today, Springfield

Armory National Historic Site preserves

and interprets this colorful history in

original buildings on their historic

grounds through museum displays,

public programs, notable collections,

activities, and internet resources.

HistorySpringfield Armory exerted a profound influence over the City of Springfield and on theNation. It carried out small-arms manufacturing, storage, repair, testing and developmentfunctions assigned by the United States Army. In doing so it stimulated technological innovation, encouraged improved manufacturing processes and fostered increased use oflaborsaving machines. All of this had a lasting impact on American industry.

The availability of Springfield Armory weapons influenced battlefield tactics and wartime strategy inevery armed conflict of the Nation. Armory inventionsand industrial processes, adopted by the private sectorin the 19th and 20th centuries, revolutionized the manufacture of consumer products and provided amajor catalyst for American industrialization. Highlyskilled workers attracted to the Armory became amajor reason for the City of Springfield’s rapid growthin a region that came to be known as “The Precision Corridor” for its many advanced industries.

Springfield Armory National Historic SiteToday, the National Park Service (NPS) owns a 20-acre portion of the National HistoricalSite while the remaining 35-acre portion is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,home to the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). They work together as legislated partners to manage the site as a whole, making for a very dynamic and bustlingurban park. Here is the Benton Small Arms Collection, one of the world’s largest historicfirearm collections which, along with historic structures and landscapes, form the core ofthe cultural and natural resources preserved and interpreted for public benefit.

Significance of the Springfield Armory

A WOW (Woman Ordnance Worker) learning how to braze at Apprentice School.

Major Julian Hatcher with Officers at the Armory’s Machine Gun School.

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The NPS Arbor Teampauses for a photo.

A bucket truck was usedto trim branches alongthe historic fence.

Springfield Armory Grounds

We love it when a plan comes together. In 2013, Springfield Armory startedworking with the Olmstead Center for Landscape Preservation to restore thehistoric grounds of the Armory to their former splendor. 2016 saw the thirdarbor project to remove invasive trees from the hill slope below the Armory. Thiswork has greatly improved the historic landscape opening up the viewshed by creatingwindows into downtown Springfield. This first phase of restoration will culminate in 2017with a project to restore the natural contour of the hillside (more on that later). Followingthis project, landscape restoration work will shift focus to planting bushes, shrubs, flowersand trees to cultivate a new generation of nature. This will include work to restore andthen replant trees both on the Springfield Armory NHS and STCC campus, and plans toreestablish the Armory'sformal gardens startingwith the Springfield Armory Alliance’s plan to rehabilitate the historicrose arbor. This focus onthe historic landscapewill provide a naturalrespite in the middle ofSpringfield for generations to come.

With the decline of honeybees and butterflies due to

disease, pesticides and loss ofhabitat, the Springfield Armory

wanted to do their part to help thesepollinators out. Changing the mowingschedule in the lower hayfield produced the desired results. A varietyof pollinators gathered nectar andpollen from the abundance of redclover and milkweed growing in thefield throughout the summer and fall.Deemed a success, the Springfield Armory will continue to improve andexpand on creating a natural habitatfor these little pollinators that playsuch an important role in our ecosystem.

Bees and Butterflies – A Natural Habitat

Historic photo showingrose arbor to be restored.

You never know who will stop by the Big E booth.

This year’s Big E display included a 12 footlighthouse celebrating the 300th anniversaryof the Boston Light.

An overview of the NPSCentennial exhibit.

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National Park Service 100th Anniversary

A Big Year at the Big ECoincidentally, 2016 also saw the 100th anniversary of the Big E. In recognition of ourshared birthday, the NPS and MassachusettsDepartment of Conservation and Recreationbooth in the Massachusetts Building also included large scale displays. These displays celebrated the idea that National and StateParks in Massachusetts are “Better Together”with a focus on the shared protection of theBoston Harbor Islands. In recognition of the300th anniversary of the Boston Harbor Light,a 12 foot tall working lighthouse towered overvisitors to the booth. It was a sight to see!

100 Years of National Parks!On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act creating the National Park Service. 100 years later, 2016was a year of celebration at Springfield Armory National Historic Site and all 413 National Park sites across the country as theycelebrated the NPS Centennial. The park’s special exhibit space was dedicated to an exhibit tracing the connections through historybetween Springfield Armory and 100 otherNPS sites. Artifacts included a pistol, on loanfrom the Harpers Ferry Center, issued to thefirst director of the NPS, and a variety offirearms and objects from the Armory museumcollection. A giant wall map featuring all of theNational Park Sites was a particular crowdpleaser from this exciting exhibit.

These Jr Rangers werevery excited by the oversized map of the National Parks in the Centennial Exhibit.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY ALLIANCE

A new fund raising campaign will restore the historic Rose Arbor(shown is a design image)

Historic photo showing formal gardens with Rose Arbor in thebackground

The donation range of $15 - $250 for individuals and families offersmembers numerous benefits. However,helping your Armory continue to celebrate its history through programs,education, advocacy, and preservationis the real reason to join our membership.

To receive a brochure with detailed information emailarmoryalliance@gmail.com or call 413-734-8551.

Thank you.

You can become an Alliance member…

The Board of Springfield Armory Alliance is proud of the accomplishments in its short past. At the same time, Alliance works on present and future needs for the Armory.

The dozen volunteers represent diversity in populations, careers, interests, and talents. All haveone important point in common – their dedication to the Armory.

Through the generosity of numerous collectors’ donations, the second annual Book & MilitaryEphemera Sale was held in June – once again a great success earning nearly $1500.

Alliance sponsored the M1 Symposium which featured world-renowned author/M1 expertBruce Canfield. The turn-out was exceptional. Thank you goes to Smith & Wesson Corporationfor a grant to produce the event.

Reaching out to new visitors through interest in the arts was the very popular “Rosie, The Riveter Day.” The Springfield Cultural Council underwrote performances of NPR storyteller Judith Black and Albany Berkshire Ballet.

Several members from the Alliance board members attended the National Park ConservationAssociation Northeast Friends Conference. “Friend” groups specifically learned about: goalsetting, board governance, and 21st century communication.

Let’s get down ‘n dirty for “The Armory in Bloom” campaign. In order to restore the historic gardens and surrounding landscape toits heyday of a half-century ago, Alliance has begun the process toraise $30,000. “Everything’s coming up roses” with your help.

The historic clocks now runthanks to an Alliance fund

raising campaign

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Public Programs

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Play Ball! Summertime was full of excitement. Visitorscheered on the unique 19th century LisbonTunnelman and the Woodstock HilltoppersVintage Baseball players. These enthusiasticball players played the game by the rules of1861 and 1865.

This year the Springfield Armory increased its public programming substantially to servemore visitors. The most notable changes were: formal tours rose 28%, Junior rangers participants increased 32%, community exhibits including visitors who attended our Big efair booth rose 163%, and community offsite programs increased 27%. fy16 numberswere certainly influenced by visitor awareness of the national park Service Centennial.

Take the Oath Becoming a new citizen is euphoric for somany people. In September on the grounds ofSpringfield Armory a Naturalization Ceremonywelcomed the accomplishments of becoming acitizen. Proud and accomplished, 132 personsfrom 42 countries were applauded by friendsand families.

Armory Day 2016 Armory Day is always a favorite event and 2016brought 53 reenactors to represent military history from the American Revolution to theVietnam War. Blank firing demonstrations andsongs and dances from the Korean and VietnamWar periods rocked the crowd.

Welcome Back! A highlight of the year was the July 9th ArmoryWorkers Reunion. Friends and family enjoyedsharing their times living and working atSpringfield Armory during the 1950’s and 1960’s.Many were so happy to see the stabilizationwork done on Junior Officer Quarters and thespecial exhibit in the museum showcasingmemorabilia fromArmory workers’ experience.

Education Programs and Volunteers

Springfield Armory Volunteers in Parks (VIPs)

Springfield Armory Wins Howdy

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The Springfield Armory National Historic Site won a Howdy Award.Each year, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitor Bureau conductan award ceremony that honors thevisitor services sector of the economyfor Western Massachusetts. The Armory won the “Spotlight Award,”given to an institution that has demon-strated long term excellence in the region. Roger Johnson, one of our outstanding volunteers, was also a finalist for Best Volunteer.

great news! The park just hired an education Specialist, Scott gausen. We can’twait to rev up the education offerings andexpand our community partnerships toutilize Springfield Armory as the importanteducational resource that it is.

A highlight for middle schoolers was the week long Writing Camp at Springfield Armory National Historic Site. New friends and mentors were found. All participants got their creativejuices flowing and they produced songs, poems and essays. A memorable moment was being ona radio show to share their summer experiences. We have adopted Duggan Academy in Springfield for our next camp.

Over the past year, 71 energetic and vibrant people gaveof their time and energy to the mission and interpretivegoals of Springfield Armory in 2016. In total, volunteerscontributed 3665 hours (the equivalent of 1.75 full timeemployees).

Volunteers staffed the Visitor Center and the NationalPark Service booth at the Eastern States Exposition (BigE), and supported special events such as Armory Day. Others volunteered in building and grounds maintenance.

Assistance was particularly needed in 2016 when the Springfield Armory was without two keypositions and the hiring of two seasonal positions was delayed three months.

Every hour given by volunteers each week affords Armory staff time to create and present interpretive programs work to improve the experience of our visitors. From the visitors and allthe staff we are grateful!

If you want to volunteer, please contact Volunteer Coordinator JoanneGangi-Wellman at (413) 271-3973.

Volunteer Carl Steele

Volunteer Roger Johnson

Coming in 2017

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2017: A Year of Infrastructure ImprovementsWe thought 2016 was a busy year, but it doesn’t even compare to2017! Springfield Armory will be getting a proverbial facelift in 2017with a number of projects happening throughout the year. Work continues this spring on Building 5/6. Windows on the Main Arsenalwill be repaired and painted. Roof work will replace missing and damaged slate. The three porches on the Commandant’s House will berestored with repaired ironwork, wood columns, and decking.

But by far the biggest project of all is a plan to restore the Armory’shistoric landscape. This nine month project will remove soil broughtin in the 1970’s and restore the historic contours of the hillside. In addition, this project will continue to clear invasive trees to bring backthe natural setting that attracted visitors to the beautiful Armorygrounds throughout the 19th and 20th century. And if that wasn’tenough, this major project will repair and repave all of the park’sroadways.

Work continues in 2017 on the Jr Officers Quarters.

Springfield Armory workers during WWI

Springfield Armory workers in the Armistice Day Parade.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

One Armory Square, Suite 2

Springfield, MA 01105-1299

Ph: (413) 271-3976 • Fax: (413) 747-8062

Springfield Armory Goes to WarIn commemoration of the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, Springfield Armory National Historic Site is proud to offer ournext exciting special exhibit. How could a country, seemingly caught offguard by the Great War, rise to the technological and manufacturingneeds of a world in conflict? Join us starting April 6, 2017, as we celebratethe Springfield Armory’s monumental support of the war effort.