Springfield Armory National Historic Site!

What Is Springfield Armory National Historic Site?

This was the first federal armory and one of America’s first weapon factories!

What Makes It Historical?

Founded as the Arsenal at Springfield in 1777, the earliest version of this complex stored muskets, cannons, and other weapons for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War! Made the official arsenal of the new US Government, it also fended off the first test of that government during Shay’s Rebellion on January 25, 1787! But starting in 1795, the arsenal expanded into an armory, meaning it would start manufacturing guns, not just storing them! Making use of interchangeable parts for mass production, the Springfield Armory developed new kinds of weapons, like the Springfield rifle and the Springfield musket! After the destruction of its sister armory at Harpers Ferry, this was the federal government’s only armory, but its interchangeable parts meant that, during the Civil War, it was able to churn out weapons at a ratio of 32:1 compared to the Confederacy!

In the years following the Civil War, the Springfield Armory kept on producing, from the Model 1903 in the Spanish-American War to the M1917 Enfield Rifle during World War I to the M1 Rifle of World War II! After 191 years of making and storing weapons, the Springfield Armory closed down. No longer would the government make its own weapons; it would just contract with private companies instead. Today, it makes up part of Springfield Technical Community College!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Volunteer at Springfield Armory National Historic Site!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!