The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Hazcat on March 20, 2009, 11:41:57 AM
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Read Blane's blog about the Springfield Museum. Can any of you go check it out?
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Just called the visitor center and got a recorded message. It's a National Historical Park...I'm going to shoot off a message to our
beloved, ummm, Governor/Furer....
Springfield Armory NHS
One Armory Square, Suite 2
Springfield, Massachusetts 01105-1299
Phone
Visitor Services
(413) 734-8551 ext. 235
Administration Division
(413) 734-8551 ext. 240
Fax
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The Springfield Armory is a NATIONAL resource. A NATIONAL treasure. Anyone who is a citizen should feel free to inquire of our Federal representatives if this is a true and factual situation. I wouldn't hesitate having anyone picking up the phone and calling their representatives or the Armory for an answer.
to email the Armory this is their URL
http://tinyurl.com/d4hdnk
To call the Armory here is the tel #
Phone
Visitor Information
(413)734-8551
Headquarters
(413)734-8551
Fax
413-747-8062
To contact your Congressional delegation:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Here is the text of the email I just shot off to my Senator:
Dear Senator,
Today there are reports on various Internet sites that the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in Mass. is being substantially closed down. This treasure has played a part in the nations history since the revolutionary war. It is now a museum of importance to the military and firearms history of this nation. I would be shocked to hear that this is in fact the case. If so, whatever directions have been given to reduce its educational and curatorial role must be reversed. I am requesting of you to investigate this and respond back to me. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
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emailed mine, (Sens) Martinez and Nelson and (Rep) Young
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emailed mine, Michael Bennet (D-CO.) and Mark Udall (D-CO)
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Senators Chambliss and Isakson, both (R)... Representative Marshall (D).
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Congressman Neal, Senators Swift Boat Kerry and Big Head Ted.....from MA...
I'll write the Governor tonight....I like to take my time when I insult correspond with him!
(Neal was born in Springfied....)
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Done
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Sent this:
Many Americans find it reprehensible that while you can find millions of
dollars to pay off your crooked cronies in ACORN you allow the Park
Service to censor history by shutting down the Springfield Armory National
Historic Site.
Yet another despicable act attempted behind the scenes.
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Sent the Gov'na a nasty gram requesting action, I'm sure I'll get back the same canned BS response I always get.
I may be able to get out there on Sunday. If not, I'll try next weekend. Can't promise anything but I was meaning to get out to S&W anyway to look at some playthings...report to follow...
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Finally recieved an answer from Senator "Heinz-Kerry"
Mr. Bevins,
Thank you for contacting Senator Kerry on this matter, I wanted to send along some information that you may find helpful. I talked with the National Park Service, and the rumors about its closing are false. They have made some changes that started a few of the rumors, but you can be assured that the Armory museum remains a treasured historical site, both to Massachusetts and the entire country.
Please let me know if you have any other concerns,
Steve
Stephen Meunier
Office of Senator John Kerry
One Bowdoin Square, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
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That's good to hear, Tim but let's keep an eye on it anyway. ;)
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They also attached an interview with Jim Shepherd but it's rather lengthy.
I can attach it if anyone is interested.
T
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They also attached an interview with Jim Shepherd but it's rather lengthy.
I can attach it if anyone is interested.
T
I am.
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They also attached an interview with Jim Shepherd but it's rather lengthy.
I can attach it if anyone is interested.
T
I'd like to read it.
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Here ya'll go...
Springfield Armory Changing, Not Closing
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
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I feel MUCH better hearing it from Shepherd than (cough) Kerry!
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From the sound of it, it's a GOOD thing ;D