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
MBTV
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