Filed Under: Cultural
On a chill Spring morning in 1968, amid speeches and farewell addresses, the men and women of Springfield Armory bid each other goodbye as the ?Stars and Stripes? were lowered for the last time. After nearly two centuries of continuous production of rifles and muskets used by America?s armed forces in every war in the nation?s history, the armory closed its gates and fell silent.
Begun as a major arsenal by General George Washington early in the Revolutionary War, the first national armory began manufacturing muskets in 1794. Within decades, Springfield Armory had perfected pioneering manufacturing methods that were critical to American industrialization.
Reopened in 1978 as the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, the original 1840?s arsenal houses the world?s largest collection of American military firearms. Year-round public programs, exhibits, and special events are hosted on the grounds of the National Historic Landmark.
Map
http://www.nps.gov/spar/pphtml/maps.html
Directions
Plane - Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. Approximately 30 minutes
Car - Access via Mass Pike, and Interstates 91N or South.
Bus - Peter Pan Bus Lines arrives 5 minute drive from downtown Northampton, MA.
Public Transportation - AMTRAK railroad station is 5 minute drive from the Armory.
References and External Links
Posted by: recreation2 and last modified on Jul 05, 2007 by thoos
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