SPRINGFIELD – On June 18 from 10 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. visitors of all ages will find themselves dazzled by Armory Day 2016. This event recognizes the relationship between Springfield Armory firearms and the American soldier.  Reenactors in the living history military encampment will portray over 60 infantrymen from the War of 1812, Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Korean War and the Vietnam War.

This year you can also enjoy an art installation that celebrates 100 years of our National Park Service on the grounds and inside the Museum plus music and dance routines of the 1950’s – 1970’s.  All events are free. Food vendors are available and rain cancels.

Visitors will be captivated by the blank firing of Civil War cannon and rifles. Blank firing demonstrations remind us of the impact of war. Through three scheduled demonstrations at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., you can see and smell the acrid gun smoke, hear the blasts of cannon and rifles, and wonder at the courage of soldiers serving yesterday and today.

Sing along and tap your feet to the “The Times They Are a Changin” dance and music performance by Small Planet Dancers that showcases the music and times of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Disco dancing and the common refrain “Give Peace a Chance” will ring out from the eighteen dancers.

Outdoor events:
• 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. – Evolution of Firearms with blank firing of Civil War cannon and rifles;
• 11:30 a.m. –  For the Times They Are a Changin’. Dance routines set to songs from the 1950s to 1970’s that were part of wartime and post war experiences.
• 1 p.m. – Evolution of Firearms with blank firing of Civil War cannon and rifles;
• 2 p.m. – Military Drills with living history reenactors in the encampment area;
• 2 to 4 p.m.  – Opening of the Centennial Visions art sculptures exhibition;
• 4:30 p.m. – End of Armory Day outdoor events.

Inside the museum, events include:
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Program, The Eagle and the Armory;
• 10:30 a.m. – World War I video on letters from the front lines and home;
• 11:30 a.m. – Curator, Alex MacKenzie, presentation on Armory history;
• 1 p.m. – World War II video on letters from the front and home;
• 3 to 5 p.m. Check out the new “100 Years A Century of Service” exhibition and celebrate our National Parks. Become a Junior Ranger, and enjoy the sculptures from the Centennial Visions art installation.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, the New England Sculptors Association has joined Springfield Armory NHS, Saint Gaudens NHS, and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP to create a contemporary sculpture exhibition. On Armory Day from 2 to 4 p.m. visitors can stroll the grounds and inside the museum to view the sculptures.  The exhibit runs through Aug. 22.

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. The park is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 31.

There is ample parking and the building is wheelchair accessible. For further information and weather cancellation call 734-8551 or check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.