(Article submitted by Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Photo courtesy of Dan Bullen)
In celebration of Black History Month, Springfield Armory National Historic Site will offer two free programs that invite people of all ages to ride and slide into some national stories rooted in Springfield history.
On Saturday, February 10th at 1:00 p.m. Park Ranger Roger Osorio from Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument will offer a virtual presentation, about the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. In the late 1890’s, as bicycles grew in popularity the United States military officers explored the possibility if bicycles could be used to replace horses. To test this idea, Lt. James A. Moss formed the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps and recruited African American soldiers on several experimental rides, including an epic 1,900 mile ride across the west in 1897 on bicycles made at A.G. Spalding Company in Chicopee Falls. The talk will be presented virtually in the Springfield Armory Museum theater.
On Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m., local author Richard Andersen will discuss the story behind his children’s book, A Home Run For Bunny. In 1934, the American League Post 21 Baseball team of talented 15 year olds from Springfield, Massachusetts won the New England baseball championship, but their hopes for a national title at the Eastern Regionals in Gastonia, North Carolina were threatened when the hosts tried to bar one of their players, Ernest “Bunny” Taliaferro from playing because he was black. Learn how the team and the city of Springfield rallied around their friend and teammate in the face of racial discrimination.
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information please call the museum at (413) 734-8551 Wednesday – Sunday between 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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.
