The Springfield Armory National Historic Site (NHS) visitor center and museum will reopen to visitors on July 2, 2021. The reopening marks the completion of an 18-month project focusing on critical systems upgrades. The National Park Service contracted the services of Gardner Construction & Industrial Services, Inc. to complete the $1.6 million project.
Kelly Fellner, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and Coltsville National Historical Park notes “We are excited to welcome visitors back to the museum with the completion of this infrastructure project that will ensure the ongoing protection and preservation of the building, museum, and collections.”
Visitors returning to the site will notice some exciting updates including the repainting of the museum, refurbishing of the original floors, and a new introductory timeline exhibit. Two new temporary exhibits will be on display. Stronger Together, featuring the artwork of local students from the East Street School, Ludlow and the William E. Norris School, Southampton is on display through the end of July. Also, the exhibit Art in the Everyday: A Photographer’s Perspective at Springfield Armory showcases rarely seen images from the archives that highlights the work-a-day world of the Armory throughout the 20th century.
The museum operating hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Visitors will be asked to physically distance at a minimum of six feet and #RecreateResonsibly.
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.