SPRINGFIELD – Join presenter Bill Hosley at the Springfield Armory on Nov. 25 for his program, “Silicon Valley of the 19th Century: Rediscovering the Connecticut Valley’s Industrial Heritage.” Meet in the museum theater at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

In 1796, the Federal government began a half-century of patronage for the Springfield Armory. Its presence in the Connecticut Valley, coupled with ready access to high quality steel, competitively priced coal and transportation, abundant water power, and the availability of an educated labor force transformed the region into America’s first high-tech industrial corridor.

By the time of the Civil War, Colt’s Armory and the Sharp’s Rifle Company in Hartford, Smith & Wesson in Springfield and both Eli Whitney and Winchester in New Haven made the Connecticut Valley the center of the arms industry in America.

“This industrial revolution was never primarily about guns,” Hosley said. “The system of manufacturing guns was adapted and changed the way everything from typewriters and sewing machines to bicycles and automobiles would be made.”

Hosley is a cultural resource development and marketing consultant, social media expert, historian, writer, and photographer. He was formerly director of the New Haven Museum and Connecticut Landmarks, as well as the curator and exhibition developer at Wadsworth Atheneum.  He has also served as a content specialist for PBS, BBC and CPTV film documentaries.

The 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 ample parking and the building is wheelchair accessible. The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week Memorial Day to October and then Wednesday to Sunday November to Memorial Day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For further information call 734-8551, check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.