Springfield Armory National Historic Site to honor workers and families during Worker Weekend, Sept. 7 and 8

News Release Date:
August 26, 2024

Contact:Kelly Fellner, 413-734-8551

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Join Springfield Armory National Historic Site and the Friends of Springfield Armory September 7 and 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we celebrate the stories of former Armory workers. The weekend of free activities and programs explore the history of labor at the Armory and in Springfield and surrounding communities.

"Worker Weekend 2024 brings focus on honoring the workers of the Armory, which was in operation from 1797 to 1968 and has deep roots in Springfield," said Superintendent Kelly Fellner. "We are grateful for the efforts of the members of the Friends of Springfield Armory and Jessica Scott, PhD candidate in public history at UMass Amherst, for supporting this effort."

Both days will offer hands on family activities, historical craft demonstrations such as blacksmithing and tool making, blank firing demonstrations, and special talks and tours. In addition, Saturday, September 7th will feature a WWII era big band music concert with the Heritage Pops Orchestra from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday will feature programming about victory gardens, Women Ordnance Workers, researching your own family history, and a live interview with a former Armory engineer. A reception at 2:30, after the interview, will be held and people are encouraged to bring stories and photos of family members who worked at the Armory to share as part of the celebration.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, September 7, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ongoing Activities

• 19th century Blacksmithing and cooking with John and Maureen Richards
• Hands-on threading and machining with the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage
• 19th century Firearms deconstruction with historical firearm experts
• Demonstration of a 18th century barrel rifler machine
• Kids' hands on activities and scavenger hunt

Timed events on Saturday include:

10:00 a.m. Blank Firing of historical weapons
10:30 a.m. Map-Making Activity for kids with Ranger Tom in the museum
10:30 a.m. Springfield Armory Watershops talk with Ranger Carl in the theater
12:00 p.m. Labor History at the Springfield Armory talk with Ranger Wes in the theater
12:00 p.m. Armory Grounds Walking Tour with Ranger Carl
2:00 p.m. Blank Firing of Historical Weapons
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Big Band Concert with Heritage Pops Orchestra

Sunday, September 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ongoing Activities

• 20th century metalworking demonstration with local fabricator Khamiko Konzsaki
• Victory Gardens of World War II multi-sensory stations with Deborah Chrzanowski
• Hands-on threading and machining with the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage
• 20th century Firearms deconstruction with historical firearm experts
• Demonstration of a 18th century barrel rifler machine
• Kids' hands on activities and scavenger hunt

Timed events on Sunday include:

10:00 a.m. Blank Firing of historical weapons
10:30 a.m. Map-Making Activity for kids with Ranger Tom in the museum
10:30 a.m. A Day in the Life of a Woman Ordnance Worker talk with Ranger Wes in the theater
11:00 a.m. WOWs: What They Wore & Why talk with Lauren Whitley-Haney in the theater
12:00 p.m. How to Research Your Family History with Springfield Armory Archivist Eleanore Keohorn in the theater
1:30 p.m. Springfield Armory Curator Alex Mackenzie will interview Seth Bradbury, Former Armory Engineer ('64-'66) in the theater
2:30 p.m. Special Reception for Family of Former Armory Workers - all are welcome

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.

ABOUT THE FRIENDS: The mission of the Friends of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site is to support National Park Service programs at the Springfield Armory through public outreach and collaboration. We do this to ensure the Springfield Armory National Historic Site remains a place of historic significance and architectural beauty for this and future generations. friendsofthearmory.org

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