Project Description: The project aims to enhance public programming and community engagement for the Springfield Armory by providing research, technical assistance, and educational resources to the National Park Service (NPS). Key activities include gauging community interest to foster public support for Armory activities, developing ideas for utilizing historic archival resources in programming, and exploring potential grant funding opportunities. The initiative will also involve outreach through a compliant survey to gather feedback from Springfield residents about their desires for exhibits and programs. Additionally, an Indigenous history track will be developed in curation, programming, or archives. The project will support the Armory staff in creating original programming focused on Armory workers and their families, as well as collaborate with interpretive and cultural resources staff to plan and promote events that connect Armory stories to the community. This includes recruiting performers, scholars, and re-enactors, while ensuring effective marketing and social media outreach to maximize public participation.
The project involves developing a survey for local Springfield residents to gather insights about their relationships with the Springfield Armory, followed by obtaining necessary approvals and distributing the survey to collect results. Collaborating closely with the park Archivist, we will explore the Armory’s collections, including oral histories and records from the Northeast. Additionally, we will plan and promote a weekend of activities aimed at celebrating Armory workers, recruiting participants and designing thematic programs that engage both workers and their families.
Lead Principal Investigator: Alene Denson, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Partner Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Federal Agency Technical Contact: Amy Glowacki
Start Year: 2024
End Year: 2025
Initial Funding Amount: $24,000.00
Federal Grant Number: P24AC00862
Products Associated with this Project:
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