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Contact: Kelly Fellner, 413-734-8551
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – This fall the Springfield Armory team completed the replacement and upgrades of 16 wayside exhibits throughout the grounds of the Armory and Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield Technology Park, the former Water Shops, and at the Quabbin Reservoir. The project began in 2016 to update displays recognizing the historic importance of the sites. They are in full color and provide more information and stories than the previous waysides. View gallery images of selected waysides here.
The waysides are designed to tell compelling stories of the experiences of the Armory community surrounding topics of technology, innovation, precision manufacturing and family life. The waysides follow a chronological path beginning at the park museum at One Armory Square. Visitors will learn about the evolution of Springfield Armory and impacts on the surrounding area from its establishment in 1794 to its closing in 1968.
Stories include Master Armorer Erskin Allen and his vision and leadership in establishing the “Armory Practice,” a culture of quality control and precision that led to the development of interchangeable parts. Learn about Otto-Helmut von Lossnitzer, a weapons designer for Mauser, the German arms manufacturer, captured in WWII and brought to Springfield. Other displays give a glimpse of family life when Army personnel lived on the Armory grounds.
As the Armory developed more powerful weapons after WWII, more space was needed for testing. The Quabbin Reservoir area was chosen for its location and relative seclusion as some items being tested were confidential. The M-60 machine gun, the M-14 rifle, and several large-caliber aircraft cannon, were test-fired at Quabbin. The wayside at the Quabbin Reservoir, managed by DCR is located along the trail at Gate 52, inside Quabbin Park just west of the Goodnough Dike near the remains of a structure that held the weapons mounts. Orientation: North-Northeast Lat: 42.30768 Lon: -72.31643. Quabbin wayside dropped pin location.
The waysides are outdoors and accessible daily during daylight hours. Park staff are working to develop an online map to assist visitors along the path. Stop by the museum during operating hours Wednesday through Sunday 9:30 am – 4:00 pm for an orientation.
ABOUT THE PARK: Springfield Armory National Historic Site is the location of the nation’s first armory (1794 – 1968) and was established by George Washington. The site includes historic grounds, buildings, and the world’s largest historic American military firearms collection. For updates and further information call (413) 734-8551, check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.
Last updated: October 31, 2023