In celebration of the National Day of Writing, join Park Rangers and local writing instructors for an outdoor writing experience on the historic grounds of Springfield Armory NHS.
Join Springfield Armory National Historic Site October 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as we host a public outdoor Write Out event. This free, drop-in event will feature nature-based writing prompts, arts and crafts activities, warm refreshments, and guidance from park rangers and local writing instructors.
Write Out began in 2018 as a cooperative effort between the National Writing Project and the National Park Service to encourage people of all ages and skill levels to explore the great outdoors through the act of writing. The event takes place over multiple weeks across the whole country, and every year follows a different theme. This year, the theme is “Poetry for the Planet,” and so the writing prompts will use different poetic forms to help participants engage with the environment around them. No experience with poetry is necessary, and writing outside of the prompt guidelines is encouraged.
The event will kick off Sunday, October 20, at 11:00 a.m., and while the museum will be open as normal, all Write Out activities will take place on Springfield Armory’s beautiful scenic grounds. There will be tables set up with prompts, picnic tables under autumn foliage, a fully stocked bookmark-making station, a “poet-tree” where writers can collaborate to construct a tree with their poems, and warm apple cider, all free of charge. Families, school groups, and independent writers are all welcome.
Admission is free and opening to writers of all ages and skill levels. Drop in any time! Inclement weather moves the event indoors.
ABOUT THE PARK:
Started during the Revolutionary War, the Springfield Armory was the official armory for the United States until 1968. In 1978, the site opened as the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, which contains the original 1840s arsenal houses and the largest collection of government produced guns in the United States. It also focuses on the innovation and manufacturing processes developed at the site.
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.
There is no entrance fee to visit Springfield Armory National Historic Site. The Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30am-4:00pm.
