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Springfield Armory National Historic SiteStars and Stripes fly atop the Main Arsenal
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Springfield Armory National Historic Site
For Teachers
 
Forging musket barrels and other parts for Springfield Armory shoulder arms in the mid-1800's
Jacob Abbott, MARCO PAUL,1852
The heavy metal and wood-shaping was done at the water-powered "Watershops", a part of Springfield Armory a mile south of today's Springfield Armory NHS at the "Hill Shops" where military weapons were assembled, finished, and stored.

THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, 1812-1865 Lesson plans, history, and images have been combined by Springfield Armory National Historic Site and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to create a WEBsite [CLICK HERE!!] about the development of industrial interchangeable manufacturing at Springfield Armory from 1812 to 1865.

Supported by a grant from Parks as Classrooms: Teaching and Learning Without Walls

This section of the website was made possible through grants from the National Park Service’s, "Parks as Classroom"

and the National Rifle Association (NRA) which was awarded to the Friends of the Springfield Armory Museum Inc.

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An early WWII American poster encouraging women to join the war production effort as Women Ordnance Workers. During the war, up to 42% of the Armory's workers were women.
Springfield Armory NHS, US NPS
Besides designing and producing the bulk of the US armed forces' shoulder arms, Springfield Armory included increasing numbers of minorities and women in industrial manufacturing.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, 1892-1945  Lesson plans, history, and images have been combined by Springfield Armory National Historic Site and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to create a WEBsite [CLICK HERE!!] about the history of manufacturing and the workers at Springfield Armory from 1892 to 1945.

The Springfield Armory was a vital cog in the U.S. production machine throughout the years 1892-1945.

It was the expansion of the scope of warfare that pulled traditional labor forces (mostly white men) away from the home front to the front lines and simultaneously created enormous demand for the Armory’s products. And it was precisely this demand that forced the Armory, and industry in general, to tap into new labor forces, drawing on populations that were never previously considered anywhere near as capable as the men who were now absent.

Supported by a grant from Parks as Classrooms: Teaching and Learning Without Walls

This section of the website was made possible through grants from the National Park Service’s, "Parks as Classroom"

and the National Rifle Association (NRA) which was awarded to the Friends of the Springfield Armory Museum Inc.

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Springfield Armory NHS is a TAH partner
courtesy: TAH
Springfield Armory NHS offers its staff and resources in TAH-organized teacher workshops and colloquiums.

EMERGING AMERICA: TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY (TAH)
From Agrarian Colonies to World Leader:
How American Institutions Endure through Change 

Through a variety of free professional development opportunities, the three-year Emerging America program helps Massachusetts teachers gain knowledge of traditional American history and skill in historical thinking and practice.

Expert scholars help participants explore the breadth and depth of America’s growth. Area teachers, historians, and education specialists provide leadership and instruction in the latest historical scholarship and practice. Strategic use of internet, videoconferencing, and other digital technologies complement hands-on partnerships with local museums. Innovative community service-learning projects engage student-teacher teams to interpret local community history on the web and to relate to seminal national documents and events. (Stipends available to Massachusetts public school teachers who complete 52, 80 or more hours of professional development.) 

Supported by a Teaching American History Grant from the U.S. Department of Education  

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Springfield Armory's crest
Springfield Armory's US Ordnance Department crest
Springfield Armory history fliers, available at the Museum, are to be found here!
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The Museum
On-line histories & documents
"CLICK" here to find digital Springfield Armory histories, documents, and
more...
fall hut  

Did You Know?
None of the original soldier huts remain. The huts that you see in the park today are reproductions based on the model that General Washington wanted the soldiers to follow. Despite a lack of tools and the relative haste in which they were built, most served as decent shelters for the troops.

Last Updated: December 19, 2007 at 15:46 EST