(Article submitted by Springfield Armory NHS)
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Author Daniel Bullen to speak at Springfield Armory National Historic Site on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. offering new perspectives on Shays’ Rebellion from his book Daniel Shays’s Honorable Rebellion.
Shays’ Rebellion was a series of uprisings in 1786 and 1787, mostly in Western Massachusetts, in opposition to the state government’s increased efforts to collect taxes on both individuals and their trades. Men who agreed with Daniel Shays made their way towards what is today Springfield Armory National Historic Site, known at the time as Springfield Arsenal. They intended to seize the weapons stored at the Arsenal and make their way to the state capitol. Privately hired militia forces dispersed Shays’s “Regulators”, and the Rebellion effectively ended. Today historians largely agree that Shays’s Rebellion was one of the inciting events leading to the Constitutional Convention and the modern system of American government.
Mr. Bullen’s presentation offers facts and perspectives that may be new to many visitors. Springfield Armory National Historic Site is excited to host this event and increase awareness of this critically important moment in Springfield and U.S. history.
The program is free but seating is limited. Please call 413-734-8551 during business hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to reserve your seat.
ABOUT THE PARK: 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. For updates and further information call (413) 734-8551, check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.
