Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

[Curt Schmidt]

Hallo!

Michale Bane, the host of Shooting Gallery on The Outdoor Channel:


The Springfield Armory National Historical Site in Massachusetts is a tribute to America's first and last national armory, the place where much of our national history was shaped (the above illustration is from Harper's Magazine in 1861 as the Armory tooled up for the Civil War).

Now it appears that the Armory itself has come under fire, this time from its National Park Service overseers.

Yesterday Jim Shepherd at the SHOOTING WIRE and I received information ostensibly from an insider whistle-blower that the Springfield Armory is quietly being disassembled. According to the information we received, the new director not only has no background in firearms — rather, from "textiles" — but sees no benefit in preserving "old guns."

Again, according to the information we received, the curator has been removed, the huge arms library has been closed and the new administrator is in the process of locking up the arms collections.

Both Jim and I are working to either confirm or deny the information, but so far no one at Springfield is talking.

The Springfield Armory is an important part of our history and a special place for gun owners. Those who would like to exorcize firearms from the American stage might well pause and consider the consequences to their own careers from being in the middle of a very public controversy over an important piece of Americana.

We'll keep you informed!

Truth, fiction, rumor, bunk, talking head punditry? Anyone know more (or less)?

Curt

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Dang! I hope its a rumor!

I took a peek at some of the Garand boards, but saw nothing there. Hopefully just a rumor.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

I was at the Armory not even a month ago. While there, in fact, I saw a sign for remodeling at one point (the NPS employee on duty confirmed this). The exhibits were all intact, the site was staffed accordingly, the gift shop was open (I bought a OOP book there), the property was in superb condition, I even saw a few security trucks driving around...not sure how valid this rumor could be based on what I saw. On the outside looking in, everything seems to be in order.

If by some chance, however, there is truth to this whistle-blowers accusations, then I put my name first and foremost at the top of any petition that reverses this. Not only is the Springfield Armory a state treasure, it is more over a national treasure as well. To lock those doors would be like locking up 250 plus years of American history. Like it or not, this country would not be the nation that it is today without facilities like the Springfield Armory.

[Jerry Ross]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

I went the Armory two years ago and figured out another reason why the South lost the war . Building after building for making war supplies and it was not the only gun maker in the area. If your in the area it is a neat place to visit.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

I may be back there this spring. If so, and the rumor is not dispelled by then, I will ask directly. I'd hate to see that place close!

[Benedict]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

the new director ... sees no benefit in preserving "old guns."

Which would correspond to some curator in a medieval castle in Germany saying "I see no benefits in preserving old rusty knight's armor" ...

[Dignann]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Hmmmm...this is how rumors start and propagate. How about calling/e-mailing Springfield Armory NHP and asking them directly?

Think about this for a second. How would they dismantle the site? Do we really think Ted Kennedy, who has long been a friend of the NPS and fought hard to develop National Park areas in Massachusetts, would allow any of his state's NPS sites to close down?

It sounds like some mis-information is being passed around. Go to the source. Ask Springfield Armory NHP if there's any truth behind this rumor.

Eric

[LWhite64]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

I would take all of this with a grain of salt, I dont see the site being closed down, it is possible they might reduce the number of weapons displayed, like G-burg's reduction of artifacts on display. But the NPS isnt in the finacial bind that is forcing a lot of state run sites to close down.

Lee

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

How about calling/e-mailing Springfield Armory NHP and asking them directly?

I did so right after viewing this message this morning...I am awaiting a reply.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

[...]it is possible they might reduce the number of weapons displayed[...]

In all fairness, the weapons being displayed are not abundant enough to require reducing their numbers. The space required for displaying items at the Springfield Armory is limited as it is, making it unlikely that they would dare make it any smaller. I think what we're dealing with here is skeptical dialogue that the NPS will soon remedy in their response to me.

[toccoa42]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Truth, fiction, rumor, bunk, talking head punditry? Anyone know more (or less)?

Bunk.

http://www.springfieldarmoryfriends.org/

Might make a minor Snopes article.

We're still on the schedule for a timeline/living history for June 27.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

For those interested in the origin of this rumor: CLICK HERE

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Well, it's been a little over 24 hours since my initial inquiries were made yesterday and I currently have no new information. I began by e-mailing the NPS, but to no avail. I then e-mailed the Springfield Armory, but again, to no avail. I took it upon myself to call the NPS, who when asked about the Armory, said they'd get back to me; they have not. I called the Armory itself, hoping for some information there, but was told to call NPS headquarters. I of course told them I did that already, to which the Armory replied, "Well, then we'll have to call you back." So, either this is news to them, or, people who are in charge of the phones have been asked to deter any and all questions pertaining to the topic at hand. Has anyone else here had any luck and/or similar circumstances?

BTW, when I began quoting Michale Bane to NPS headquarters...

The Springfield Armory National Historical Site in Massachusetts is a tribute to America's first and last national armory, the place where much of our national history was shaped (the above illustration is from Harper's Magazine in 1861 as the Armory tooled up for the Civil War). Now it appears that the Armory itself has come under fire, this time from its National Park Service overseers. Yesterday Jim Shepherd at the SHOOTING WIRE and I received information ostensibly from an insider whistle-blower that the Springfield Armory is quietly being disassembled. According to the information we received[...]

...I was interrupted halfway with, "Thank you, sir. We realize this is confusing to you and others that are reading it. We'll call you back."

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Hallo!

From "The Outdoor Wire:"


We've been receiving reports of moves afoot to make significant changes to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Those changes, sources told us, weren't to the betterment of the facility or the historically significant collection of thousands of unique and prototype arms either on display or in storage there.

Following a conversation with the top official there, I can report the rumors of the impending demise of the Springfield Armory collection appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

During my extended discussion with Michael Quijano-West, the Superintendent of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site yesterday, Quijano-West made it extremely clear changes were being made, but they were designed to make the armory collection and the accompanying historical archives more accessible, not to lock them away.

"We're not closing anything," he said, "in fact, we've expanded our operating hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. That certainly wasn't the case before, hours were inconvenient for visitors. Today, there are only three days on our calendar when we won't be open: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day."

Additionally, Quijano-West says, there will be longer summer hours this year, and guided tours on the weekends. All designed, he says, to help build interest in the historical site he calls a "gem" of American history.

"Springfield Armory is a significant, inspirational and unique treasure," he says, "it's a shrine of our country. And a story we'd like to share with even more visitors."

So what of the closure reports?

"Not accurate," he explained, "we are upgrading the facilities, and that includes relocating some office spaces. Upgrades will create separate archive and collection research areas in new multi-purpose spaces. Those spaces will enable researchers and photographers to examine either the archives or firearms in our collection on an appointment basis. And the rooms will also give us the ability to create temporary exhibits there, too.

"The whole goal of the upgrades is to make everything easier to see and more accessible - including the document archive. The archive is as significant as the armory firearms many of the documents support, but it's not been as well organized as it could have been in the past."

While the modernization of a portion of the exhibits building has caused the relocation of some of the thousands of firearms in the collection, Quijano-West says the intention has nothing to do with limiting access and everything to do with preserving the armory.

"Making this historical treasure available and accessible to the public is my goal," he says, "whether they like guns or not - there is something here for everyone interested in history, from General Washington to the architectural and cultural landscape of the buildings. It is really a work of art."

Does "like guns or not" mean a de-emphasizing the fact it is, or was, an armory?

"No," he explained, "in fact much of the earlier emphasis here has been on the manufacturing process. I keep reminding everyone that the manufacturing developments were, indeed, revolutionary, but the place was an armory. You can't ignore the firearms."

"We're working to interest school children in the area more interested in the facility. One project we've created is a poster called a poem on muskets," Quijano-West explained.

"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came here and saw the Springfield Armory and was so impressed with it he wrote and published a poem about it. We took a high-quality photograph of part of our exhibits and put that poem with it. We'll be distributing it to area schools, hoping we can get kids interested in firearms and the Springfield Armory."

There have been changes at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, and there are more changes planned. Some changes will be obvious, and others will be dedicated to the preservation and security of the entire collection.

Others, I was told, will make bring the facility into compliance with National Park Service policies on security and safety. None, Quijano-West says, will make this national historic treasure less accessible.

As a sworn federal law enforcement officer, Quikano-West explains he's particularly aware of the idea of security of everyone visiting - and working- at the Springfield Armory, but he's also determined to see that everyone has easy access to the armory, the firearms collection, and the associated document archives.

The entire facility he says, makes the unique importance of firearms to the history of America apparent -including our history not yet written. Hiding them away, he says, would not accomplish that goal.

Agreed.

--Jim Shepherd

Curt
Blogosphereologist Mess

[Dignann]

Re: Possible closing of Springfield Armory??

Bryan,

A little patience. Remember you're dealing with a government agency. Expecting a response within 24 hours is asking a bit much from a government office. Also, I can tell you from personal involvement that the NPS Internet servers have been having trouble for the past couple days processing e-mails from outside. Your messages may not have gotten through.

I was able to reach a friend that works in NPS museum services. This claim is news to them. He informed me that there is no threat to the Armory or any plans to close down the facility and shove the collection into storage. It sounds like a simple case of paranoia and misinformation.

Eric