Springfield Armory National Historic Site received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). History in a Trunk: Travel with Springfield Armory is an engaging and interactive program that allows educators to personalize the experience in their classroom. Three different traveling education trunks (The Industrial Revolution in YOUR Backyard, The Women of World War I and II, and The Legacy of Springfield Armory: How one Site Changed the Nation) explore a different topic related to Springfield Armory history.
Each traveling education trunk allows educators and students to connect Springfield Armory National Historic Site to their community, while developing critical thinking skills through interactive lessons. Each trunk contains a variety of lessons, accessible for elementary and middle school students, tied to national standards, that will bring the past to the present using Springfield Armory as their avenue. The traveling trunks are offered at no cost including the return shipping, and can be mailed anywhere in the United States. Learn more about this program by visiting the Springfield Armory NHS Traveling Education Trunk webpage.
Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than one million students in educational programs
connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF’s goal is to connect another one million students to parks over the next four years.
“National parks are America’s largest classrooms,” said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. “With parks, learning is fun, memorable, and hands-on. Parks open kids’ eyes to the wonder and complexities of nature and history, and the National Park Foundation is committed to connecting as many kids as possible to parks through our Open OutDoors for Kids program.”
The NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program is made possible by private philanthropy, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad, and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional support is provided by Apple, Sierra, Columbia Sportswear, Parks Project, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., Humana, and many individual donors.
Learn more about NPF’s efforts to engage students with national parks as classrooms.
ABOUT THE PARK: Springfield Armory National Historic Site is the location of the nation’s first armory (1794 – 1968) and was established by George Washington. The site includes historic grounds, buildings, and the world’s largest historic American military firearms collection. For updates and further information call (413) 734-8551, check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate, and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org.
