National Writing Project

Photo Credit: National Writing Project

Springfield Armory NHS is proud to particpate in National Write Out. Starting in 2017, this free program has created videos, writing prompts, and activities that encourage the public, students, and teachers to explore public spaces, including National Parks, through place-based writing and sharing over the course of two weeks.

Springfield Armory began particpating in 2020 and created a couple of 'Ranger Spark' videos which you can check out here! We encourage you to explore the National Writing Project webpage to learn more about the program and to bring some of the fantastic writing prompts into your classroom.

Watch our 2021 Ranger Spark Video, in English or Haitian Creole, and share your response with us using #writeout or send us a letter!

 

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Transcript

Hello, I'm Ranger Pearl from Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Springfield Armory was the Nation's First Federal Armory established in 1794! In addition to producing militaryfirearms, we were a site of major technological innovation, including the Blanchard Lathe which sits behind me. The Blanchard lathe revolutionized the development of firearms, allowed for faster production, and was developed by Thomas Blanchard in 1822. If you have ever gotten a key duplicated, owned a pair of leather shoes, or swung a tool with a wooden handle, it is likely that your item was made using a modern form of the Blanchard Lathe.

For today's writing prompt, we would like you to think about an invention that changed the course of history and describe why it is so important.

Duration:

1 minute, 13 seconds

Springfield Armory, aside from manufacturing firearms was a site of major technological innovations that had national implications. Learn about the Blanchard Lathe with Ranger Pearl and complete the writing prompt at the end! #writeout

Learn more about Write Out!

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Bonjour, mwen se Ranger Pearl, m-soti nan Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Springfield Armory te Premye depo zam de gouvènman, è-l te etabli nan 1794! Etablisman sa pat pwodwi zam milite selman, men facilite sa te yon place de gwo inovasyon technologik, youn nan inovasyon yo te le Blanchard Lathe ki chita dèyè-m. Le Blanchard Lathe te revolusyone developman de zam milite li fe pwodiksyon fini pi vit, li te devlope pa Thomas Blanchard nan 1822. Si out te janm al fe yon kle, achte on soulye pou, oswa sevi avek yon zouti fet a yon manch bwa, gen anpil chans kea tik sa ou te sevi te fet ak yon fom moden de Blanchard Lathe.

Jodia pou invite d'écriture, nou ta renmen ou panse sou yon envansyon ki chanje le kou de istwa, e eksplike poukisa li telman enpotan.

Duration:

1 minute, 24 seconds

Springfield Armory, aside from manufacturing firearms was a site of major technological innovations that had national implications. Learn about the Blanchard Lathe with Ranger Pearl and complete the writing prompt at the end! #writeout

Learn more about Write Out!