Building 19

Springfield Armory consisted of numerous sites, and at the Hill Shops Building 19 stands an impressive 764 feet long! Learn more about the function of this building at Springfield Armory during it's operation.

• The massive red brick building has a first floor row of arched windows stretching the length of the building. Some of the windows have been bricked in or converted into entrances to the building. The second floor once had louver blinds which have since been removed. In front of the building is a parking lot and planted trees.

Commanding Officer's Quarters at the Armory

Quarters 1 was built between 1845-1847 under the direction of Major James W. Ripley. The building housed numerous superintendents and commandants during the operation of the Armory and became a place where the Superintendent and their family could relax. In 1960, it was designated as a contributing building to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and is listed in the National Historic Landmarks Register. In October 1974 it became a part of the National Park Service.

• A two story red brick building topped with a copula, numerous brick chimneys and a story and a half ell to the North built in the Greek Revival Style. The roof has a white cast iron snow rail. There is an ornate cast iron porch that wraps around two sides of the building. On the South side of the building are large windows and an ornate door sits on the East side. The building is nestled under trees and sits atop a hill overlooking the City of Springfield.

Junior Officer's Quarters

The Junior Officers Quarters, Buildings 5 and 6, situated on the southern corner of the Green were built under Superintendent J.G. Benton. The Junior Officers Quarters were built in the Second Empire Style with many architectural elements that reflected the Victorian Period influence, which was departure from the classical architecture, giving the South Green a unique look. The duplex provided housing to the officers and their families who came to work at Springfield Armory.

• A three story red brick building with a one story extension to the rear, a covered porch on the front and a brownstone foundation. There are numerous arched windows with white framing and brownstone lintels and sills. The front porch has two doors, one leading into each duplex and two large floor length windows. The double pitched roof is made of black and grey slate with four chimneys on the main building and one the rear extension. Around the porch, windows and roof there is intricate carved white scroll work.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

During the War of 1812, American forces faced supply shortages and difficulty in repairing and replacing muskets that were slowly, individually crafted in Springfield. As a result of the lessons learned from the setbacks of the War of 1812, the Springfield Armory pioneered new manufacturing methods using interchangeable parts and modern techniques, effectively modernizing the tools of the American military.

• A multistory red brick building with a clock tower and a flag raised on the top. There are three rows of windows on each side of the building.

The Main Arsenal

The Main Arsenal is a defining feature of Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Built between 1847-1850, under the direction of Major James W. Ripley, it gave the Armory a military and commanding presence. Today the Main Arsenal serves as a museum which tells the story of the workers, technological innovation, the evolution of firearms, and the impact the Armory had on Springfield, the surrounding communities, and the United States.

• A three story red brick building with an attached six story clock tower. The Clock tower has three clock faces and an American Flag waves from the top. The main building has rows of windows with white trim; the first floor windows are arched. The Main Arsenal is set on expansive grounds with trees set on either side and open space behind the Armory on the hill slope.

The Water Shops

The Water Shops, located on Mill River, were the main manufacturing center for the Springfield Armory. Using the power of water, various firearm parts were crafted before they were transported to the Hill Shops for final assembly, storage, and distribution. Since 1884, only the Upper Water Shop has remained providing vital service to the Armory. In 1968 the Water Shops would close with the Armory and it became privately owned.

• The Upper Water Shop located at the intersection of various streets. It is an imposing red brick building with multiple arched windows with white trim and two clock towers, one with clock faces. Between the two clock towers the building ranges from one to two stories. The building is 'u' shaped with the Mill River running directly up behind it, being blocked by a dam.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum

• Springfield Armory National Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum
• The park visitor center offers a large museum dedicated to the American Industrial Revolution and the weapons made at Springfield Armory. There is a Junior Ranger program available.

• Picnic on the Armory Grounds
• 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 firearms? Or just the squirrels and birds?

• Take a Stroll Behind Quarters 1
• 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 flowers we grow there.

• Visit the Springfield Armory Museum
• 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 a short film about Springfield Armory and has a gift shop.

• Walk around the Armory Grounds
• 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 worked at the Armory.