National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Historic Architecture Program Northeast Region BUILDING 27 Springfield Armory National Historic Site Springfield, Massachusetts Historic Structure Report BUILDING 27 HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Springfield Armory National Historic Site Springfield, Massachusetts By James J. Lee III Architectural Conservator Historic Architecture Program Northeast Region, National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior Lowell, Massachusetts 2011 CONTENTS CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES AND CREDITS .............................................................................. xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. XXV INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................3 Purpose and Scope ...........................................................................................................3 Brief Description ..............................................................................................................3 Research Conducted ........................................................................................................4 Research Findings ............................................................................................................5 Additional Research ........................................................................................................5 Recommended Treatment and Use ...............................................................................6 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA ................................................................................................7 Location of Site .................................................................................................................7 National Historic Landmark ..........................................................................................7 National Register of Historic Places ..............................................................................7 Proposed Treatment and Use .........................................................................................8 Related Studies .................................................................................................................8 DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY .............................................................................. 13 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT ....................................................... 15 Introduction ....................................................................................................................15 Establishment of the Springfield Arsenal .................................................................... 16 Early Years of the Springfield Armory (1794–1815) .................................................. 17 iii BUILDING 27 HISTORIC STRUCTURE REPORT Colonel Roswell Lee, Superintendent (1815–1833) ................................................... 18 Major James W. Ripley, Commanding Officer (1841–1854) .................................... 24 The Springfield Armory, Later Years (1854–1968) .................................................... 31 Pre–Civil War Development ..........................................................................................31 Civil War Growth and Production ................................................................................ 32 Post–Civil War Progress ................................................................................................37 Early Twentieth Century through the World Wars ...................................................... 42 Post–World War II through Deactivation ..................................................................... 43 Establishment of the Springfield Armory ................................................................... 44 National Historic Site ....................................................................................................44 CHRONOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND USE ...................................................... 47 Introduction ....................................................................................................................47 Historic Appearance and Use .......................................................................................49 The Brick Forging Shop ................................................................................................49 Alterations .......................................................................................................................53 Additions to the Forging Shop ......................................................................................53 Extension of the Machine Shop .................................................................................... 53 Additions to the Machine Shop/Workshops ................................................................. 58 Alterations to Building 27 ..............................................................................................71 Early Twentieth–Century Alterations to Building No. 27/Annex Building ............... 71 Additions during World War II ................................................................................. 79 Alterations Post–World War II through Deactivation ............................................. 100 Alterations by Springfield Technical Community College ...................................... 101 CURRENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ...................................................................... 107 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 107 Exterior Elements ........................................................................................................ 108 iv CONTENTS Main Block .................................................................................................................. 108 Design ...................................................................................................................... 108 Foundation .............................................................................................................. 108 Walls ........................................................................................................................ 108 Doorways ................................................................................................................. 109 Windows .................................................................................................................. 109 Roof ......................................................................................................................... 110 Porches/Porticos and Loading Docks ..................................................................... 110 Northeast Block and West Ell ..................................................................................... 111 Design ...................................................................................................................... 111 Foundation .............................................................................................................. 111 Walls ........................................................................................................................ 111 Doorways ................................................................................................................. 112 Windows .................................................................................................................. 113 Roof ......................................................................................................................... 114 Porches/Porticos/Loading Docks and Fire Escapes ................................................ 114 Related Structures .................................................................................................... 115 Northwest wing ........................................................................................................... 115 Design ...................................................................................................................... 115 Foundation .............................................................................................................. 115 Walls ........................................................................................................................ 116 Doorways ................................................................................................................. 116 Windows .................................................................................................................. 117 Roofs ........................................................................................................................ 117 Porches/Porticos/Loading Docks and Fire Escapes ................................................ 117 North Wing ................................................................................................................. 118 Design ...................................................................................................................... 118 Foundation .............................................................................................................. 118 Walls .......................................................................................................................