Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Springfield Armory National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Massachusetts.

In the park service’s words

For nearly two centuries, the U.S. Armed Forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world's largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings and landscape.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Picnic on the Armory Grounds (30 Minutes): The Armory Grounds are a perfect place to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the urban center, if only for a short time. Find a picnic table, bench or a tree to sit beneath and take a break and enjoy a snack. What do you hear? Do you hear the workers milling about? Horses moving supplies and fire
• Take a Stroll Behind Quarters 1 (15 Minutes): Take a walk behind Quarters 1 to escape the urban center and reconnect with nature! Behind Quarters 1 there is a large grassy lawn where one can sit and relax and look out over the City of Springfield. The Armory Victory Garden is also located beside Quarters 1; take a look at our garden and all the vegetables and flow
• Visit the Springfield Armory Museum (45 Minutes): Visit the Springfield Armory Museum located in the Main Arsenal (Building 13). The Museum tells the story of the workers and details the technological innovations of firearms, the mechanization and specialization in precision manufacturing, and the production of small arms that occurred at the Armory. The Museum shows
• Walk around the Armory Grounds (30 Minutes): Take a trip back in time and visit the Armory when it was was producing firearms and learn about the site that shaped the City of Springfield and the United States. As you walk around Armory Square, stop and read the various wayside signs that provide information about the various buildings and those who lived and work

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:30AM - 4:00PM. The Park MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER The Park is OPEN Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 4:00pm. The Park is CLOSED Monday and Tuesday The park is closed for the following holidays: •New Year's Day •Thanksgiving Day •Christmas Day

Getting there

The entrance to Armory Square is on Federal Street in Springfield, MA. Armory Square is shared by Springfield Armory NHS and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The park is located on the STCC campus. Follow the one way roadway around until you see the entrance sign for the park. If stopped by campus security let them know you are visiting the park. Parking is available in front of the Springfield Armory visitor center.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Springfield Armory National Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:30AM - 4:00PM. Important Note: Please check the current conditions for status updates: https://www.nps.gov/spar/planyourvisit/conditions.htm MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER The Museum and Visitor Center is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 4:00pm. The park is closed for the following holidays: •New Year's Day •Thanksgiving Day •Christmas Day

Weather

Springfield Armory National Historic Site is situated in the heart of Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley. Our year is marked by four distinct seasons. Summers tend to be pleasant, but can at times be very hot and very humid. Autumn features brilliant foliage and cooler, calmer weather. Winter storms are capable of closing the park and can make travel dangerous. Springtime in New England is pleasant.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Acadia, about 269 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Springfield Armory National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.