A Little History of Springfield, Massachusetts

1
A Little History of Springfield, Massachusetts
2
The River as a Road

• Long ago, before there were any roads, the only
  way to get where Springfield is today was to come
  by boat.
• In 1635, some men from England sailed up the
  river in boats called shallops. They had flat
  bottoms. Remember this fact for it is important
  later in this story.

3
William Pynchon

• One of the travelers on the boat was William
  Pynchon. He was from Springfield, England!
• Notice that his style of clothes is different
  from ours.

4
The Beginning of Springfield

• On July 15, 1636, they bought the land where we
  live today for 16 coats, hatchets, knives, and
  some shell money called wampum.
• Today we call this trading instead of buying.

5
Trading Was Important

• One reason they came here was to trade. There
  were many animals in the forests and the Native
  Americans were good hunters.
• Back home in England these skins could be
  sold for money. People there liked to decorate
  their clothes with the fur.

6
Everyone Grew Food

• The Englishmen also liked it here because they
  could grow their food on the land.
• There were no stores here yet, so everyone had
  to be a farmer too.

7
Peace and Freedom

• After many years, the settlers and Native
  Americans made learned to live peacefully.
• But now, the English settlers wanted to be free
  from the English King!

8
The Revolutionary War

• The King sent troops called Redcoats here (they
  wore red jackets).
• This fight was called the Revolutionary War.
  This was the war that made us a free country.

9
Parsons Tavern

• Parsons Tavern was a hotel and restaurant. It
  was on the corner across from where the Civic
  Center is today.
• It was here that a rider came to give the news
  that the battles against the King and England had
  started.

10
George Washington Slept Here

• General George Washington stopped at the Parsons
  Tavern in June of 1775. He was on his way to
  lead the troops near Boston.
• While he was here, he saw that Springfield was
  in a good location.

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Springfields Good Location

• Remember about the river? The big English ships
  could not sail up the river! The town was also
  now near roads that went to Albany, Boston, and
  New York City. Since Springfield was a safe place
  and a place where stuff could be easily moved to
  the soldiers, the arsenal was built here to keep
  supplies and weapons. There also were men living
  here who knew how to build weapons too.

12
Inventions at the Armory

• Over the years many things were invented at the
  Armory. Machines were invented so that parts did
  not have to be made by hand. This meant that all
  the parts could be the same. Now if a gun broke,
  a part from another gun or a spare part could be
  used to replace it.

13
The Little Dig

• We are going to do some experiments.
• What do you think this experiment will show?

14
Solve This Mystery

• Here are two musical instruments. Can you guess
  what they might have to do with the Springfield
  Armory?

15
A Puzzle For You

• Here is a puzzle for you!
• Can you explain what interchangeability of parts
  means? How can this help us to live better today?

16
The Springfield Armory Museum

• Today the Springfield Armory does not make or
  store guns anymore. It has been recycled!
• Part of it is a museum.

17
Springfield Technical Community College

• Part of it is Springfield Technical Community
  College or S.T.C.C.

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Recycling

• And
• part of it is a fence!