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Springfield Armory National Historic SiteImage from HARPERS magazine, mid-1861
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The first and last National Armory

Overlooking the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts, Springfield Armory National Historic Site offers the story of our Nation’s first armory. "CLICK" here to find Springfield Armory histories, documents, and more...

"CLICK" here for our Library & Research application forms, as well as Filming Permit forms [long form] or [short form] or Special Use Permit forms.

 
Part of the storage system

The Main Collection Room

"CLICK" here to view the complete on-line display of items (over 9,000 mostly prototype and production Springfield Armory weapons and associated objects). This is the largest collection of American military shoulder arms in the world. Only the British collection comprising the combined Royal Armouries and the National Firearms Centre [formerly the Pattern Room] is larger.

 
The Museum is in the historic Main Arsenal building (James Langone, photographer)

Museum Exhibits

Started as a technical reference collection for Armory workers in 1862, the museum highlights many of the best examples of US military shoulder arms plus pistols, machine guns, edged weapons, and production machinery. "CLICK" here or on the photo of the Museum [the historic Main Arsenal] at the left to view the Museum exhibits.

Look at a rare 14th century hand gun, a modern Vulcan 20 mm Gatling Gun, or see the revolutionary 1822 Blanchard stockmaking lathe. See our exhibits and collections here!

"CLICK" here to search the Springfield Armory NHS archives and object collections Website and
more...

 
Middle school students from Chestnut School in Springfield, MA, shown in a simulation making musket parts.

School Programs

Dynamic, affordable, and enjoyable experiences await students and teachers. Select from these elementary, middle and high school programs - Armory for the Nation, A Catalyst for Change, The Civil War - Soldiers, Civilians and Armory Workers, and The Evolution of Springfield Armory Firearms. "CLICK" here for more about programs... And look at our education websites.

 
 

Write to

Springfield Armory NHS
One Armory Square, Suite 2
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105

Fax

(413) 747-8062

Climate

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Blacksmith's anvil, used to forge iron on a small scale.  

Did You Know?
Hopewell Furnace was built initially to supply nearby forges operated by its builder, Mark Bird. The forges heated and hammered the furnace's brittle pig iron bars, driving out much of their contaminate carbon and turning the metal into stronger, more malleable wrought iron.

Last Updated: October 23, 2008 at 16:00 EST