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    Springfield Armory National Historic Site

    4.6 (25 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

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    James Bond's PPK
    Erin T.

    I've been to a ton of national historic sites. (I collect the stamps and enjoy peaks into different region's histories.) The armory has hands-down one of the best educational movies I've seen. Like seriously, top notch production value combining historical footage with that of reenactors. Now, it's an armory so it's mostly chockfull of guns. I highly recommend for people into it. For those less interested, it was still cool to peruse but at a much faster pace.

    :-)
    D M.

    This morning at man o'clock we headed up to the Springfield Armory. What would we find there? Well, certainly all manner of firearms to scratch the testosterone itch, but also a dose of engineering and technology for the more cerebral parts of our psyche. It is a National Historic Site, run in a competent, confident and low-key way by the US Park Service, and boy does it deserve its status. The museum houses "the world's largest historic US military small arms collection," and presents them in straightforward, discrete displays of several firearms at a time so you don't drown in data. Moving from one display to the next, through time and also through technological innovations, you cannot help but realize and begin to understand the changes of society that are marked by each new form of firearm. There are some sword (and bayonet) displays to help remind us that weaponry has long used steel, and only relatively recently employed gunpowder as well. Flintlocks, percussion guns, breach loaders and eventually self-loading firearms are presented in digestible detail, with enough in-the-weeds commentary for the super dweebs (ahem) to go deep. The guns are by and large in really good condition, and there are enough technical drawings accompanying them to help show what the advances in metallurgy of any given point in time permitted the engineers to cook up. Speaking of engineers, Messrs Garand and Blanchard are both given appropriate respect and attention in the displays. That's what you find when you turn left upon entering. If you hook another quick left, you go into a little room where they show an 18 minute movie that is fascinating. And this movie sets you up to understand the machines which created the many different parts required through the centuries to manufacture the Armory's iconic guns. (An actor playing Thomas Blanchard appears, delighting the ears with an accent reminiscent of Phil Hartman doing the Anal Retentive Chef, God rest his soul.) If I can lazily quote once again from their website, "For 174 years, the men and women of Springfield Armory shaped America's destiny through pioneering technological innovation, improved manufacturing processes, and increased use of laborsaving machines." And that is largely what you see when you turn right after entering. The other side of the museum is just as amazing as all the gun displays, Albeit not quite as extensive. You can see the genius stock-copying machine, in both full-size and a perfect miniature version. The power system which first came from the Mill River, and later used steam engines made in Troy New York, is also on display on this side, and I have to say that is among the most fascinating things for me having seen the same thing at the Watervliet Arsenal just across the river from Troy. And finally, there are all those stacked up family photos of workers, including women, showing how the human element was critical for this supremely important manufactory. Comments about the production capability of the industrial North versus the agrarian South help put the American Civil War into context. And lastly, the Organ of Muskets is an amazing sight to see. As with the best such sites, you enter thinking one thing ("we are going to look at a bunch of super cool guns!") and come out thinking about a bunch of other topics: social, political, technological. It's the sort of place which rewards repeat visits, and because your tax dollars support it, you can do so for free.

    XeroGravity71 ..

    A great place to go for the history behind Springfield Arms and how they've been used in history. Informative and fun with the option to go at it alone or by guided tour. Highly recommend.

    Organ of Muskets!
    Rena P.

    It's a must stop for gun enthusiasts if you are in Springfield, Ma. It's free admission. Great historical museum. Gift shop reasonably priced. You get welcomed by the staff. There is a 15 minute film you can watch regarding the history of Springfield armory. It is very interesting to see the evolution of fire arms. Highly recommend. I saw families with children. I don't think it is interesting enough for kids.

    Original Blanchard Lathe, used to duplicate gun stocks
    Lindsay C.

    The Armory is terrific for what it is. If you, or someone you're looking to entertain, is into all things ammunition, military, machine, or gun related, the Armory would be a wonderful place to visit. Locating the Armory proved to be a bit of a task. It's actually on the STCC campus. If I had a way to describe it's location, I'd say it's at the "back" of the campus. It's a small, modest historic site, and can easily be perused in an hour and a half. When we arrived (on Father's Day), there were a couple of people there, visiting. This isn't a high-traffic site. The ranger on staff was very friendly and helpful and gave us a brief overview of the Armory. There's the mechanical/manufacturing side, the gun/munitions display side, and a small viewing theater. Unfortunately, no one was manning the theater, and so my future father-in-law had to try and figure out how to start the educational video. It's a re-enactment of historical events, so it's a bit like something you'd watch in your 8th grade American History class. However, it was informational, so I'd suggest watching it, allow about 20 minutes. The mechanical/manufacturing side was interesting, detailing the Armory's use and history. They have a working models of how different pieces of the guns were manufactured (find the green button at the front of the model). I really enjoyed the small exhibit on the guns from Springfield Armory that have been used in Hollywood films. It would have been a lot more compelling had they had the actual props, but as it were, many of the films I love (Big Lebowski, for one) were listed, which I thought was pretty cool. The gun display exhibit features dozens and dozens of different models, types, eras, and so on. There's German guns, Japanese guns, Soviet guns, Allied guns. There was a section of the exhibit dedicated to swords, bayonets, and the like. It was interesting to look over, but I'm not a huge military/gun fanatic, so I couldn't really appreciate many of the differences. Several video kiosks with informational shorts are scattered about, for those who have a little extra time. Springfield Armory also has quite a nice gift shop, with lots of "Don't Tread on Me" paraphernalia, and some really unique books. All in all, it was nice to say we went and checked it out. Number one, it's free, can't beat that. It's quite informational, and would really be enjoyed best by someone who enjoys military/munitions history.

    R V.

    This was... interesting, I suppose. I guess I didn't know what to expect so maybe this will serve as a heads-up to future visitors. The museum is a massive assortment of guns and other weapons. That's really it. Just stacks and stacks (and stacks) of guns. As someone with no military background or interest in hunting or the like, I was a bit overwhelmed. I spent as much time as I could there before it all just started blurring together and my eyes glazed over. Just, lots of guns. The price was definitely right though (free) and their orientation video was fantastic. I honestly had no idea about the history of the place so I was glad to learn about it. I think to be really blown away by the experience, though, you've just gotta love guns.

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    15 years ago

    Pretty nice little museum, focused mainly on the armory's role in the history of the USA.

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    10 years ago

    Great place to visit if your into firearms or military history.

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    Ask the Community - Springfield Armory National Historic Site

    Review Highlights - Springfield Armory National Historic Site

    Wonderful National historic site conveniently located adjacent to Springfield Technical Community College.

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    Springfield Museums

    Springfield Museums

    4.0
    (52 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Springfield, MA - the Springfield Museums complex is five museums arranged around a courtyard…read moreanchoring the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, with the history museum conveniently located across the street. One admission gets you into all five: 1. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum 2. Springfield Science Museum 3. Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts 4. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History 5. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum (closed for renovations at this time) Dr. Seuss Museum is the newest addition and an absolute delight - colorful, immersive, and photo-ready. The first floor is pure chaotic kid energy, like a Dr. Seuss book come to life; the second floor is more grown up, featuring a recreation of Springfield native Theodor Geisel's (aka Dr. Seuss) studio and living room, plus exhibits on his life. My child refused to leave. Thankfully, the museum is equipped with benches and seats in every room, as it is incontrovertible law that children's play areas can never have too many resting places for parents. I eventually pried my child away and ushered him to the science & natural history museum, which was also a hit. Highlights included a snowboarding video game and a 360° photo capture that spits out a digital image you can email to yourself as a souvenir. There's also a dinosaur hall, African hall, planetarium, animal dioramas, small aquariums, and a nice gift shop. Again, kid did not want to leave. Grandpa is into history so toured the Museum of Springfield History on his own. Springfield was once a manufacturing powerhouse: automobiles, firearms, and home of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company. Fittingly, the museum has an automobile gallery, the world's largest collection of Indian cycles and memorabilia, and the world's largest collection of Smith & Wesson guns among its 1,600+ firearms. Grandpa learned a lot about local history and the Connecticut River Valley. I only got a quick walk-through of the D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and regret not having more time to linger over the intricate and absolutely exquisite "Book of Wonder"exhibit by Donna Castellanos. The Smith Art Museum, a Victorian-era single-collector museum, is currently closed for renovation, which was fine, as by that point we'd run out of time and energy anyway. Even the on-site restaurant, Blake House Café, was excellent, serving food from Smoked, a local BBQ joint. There was something for everyone in the family (kids, arts, history, and science) and it's good bang for your buck. The museums are compact enough to hit all five in one day if you keep moving, but you're better off slowing down and focusing on two or three.

    Springfield Museums has a sculpture garden and five museums on-site. You can visit all 5 with one…read moreticket. There is a parking lot; it was packed on a weekday but I was able to find a spot. First, we stopped at the Dr. Seuss building. It's an interactive museum perfect for toddlers and young kids. We spent about 45 minutes in there. Then the Springfield Science Museum, it had an aquarium, animals, and dinosaurs. The other buildings focuses on art and history. Yes, you could spend a whole day there. We stopped by the gift shop before we left. I recommend a visit to this museum!

    Photos
    R.E. Phelon African hall at the Springfield Science Museum
    R.E. Phelon African hall at the Springfield Science Museum
    Inside the Blake House Café, the onsite cafe
    Inside the Blake House Café, the onsite cafe
    Snowboarding game at the Springfield Science Museum

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    Snowboarding game at the Springfield Science Museum
    Basketball Hall of Fame

    Basketball Hall of Fame

    3.7
    (163 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I love sports! Went with family to check out this place! We bought tickets inside. The woman, CJ,…read moresold us tickets at the counter. She gave us a suggestion on how to enjoy the facility! We watched the ten minute movie about parts of the history of the NBA! Then we went up to the third floor and worked our way down to the basketball court. There is so much to see and do! Much more interactive than we thought. Made a video and sent pictures from some of our experiences to ourselves! I was a "sportscaster"! There is so much memorabilia! Lots of short videos explaining parts of basketball from its beginning to present times. It includes women's basketball as well as college ball! Great experience! Would highly recommend, even for non-sports fans! Dan helped us with our videos! Great staff!

    Drove 4 hours to see this. It has some very rich history and that's kind of worth it. YET much…read moreof the hype is about the fun interactive events at the end. Play on a full size court, shooting contests, drills, etc. Nope. There was a young kids basketball tournament happening all day. The tournament was not advertised on their site for us to know that we should choose another day to visit. We paid full price for half an experience. Poorly done on their part. Perhaps let people know or at minimum discount the tickets to reflect the lack of availability to the complete product.

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    Basketball Hall of Fame
    The court
    The court
    Vast area for an event

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    Vast area for an event

    Springfield Armory National Historic Site - museums - Updated July 2026

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