Permits & Reservations

Teacher Professional Development Program at Springfield Armory

NPS Photo

You don't need a permit or to pay a fee to visit Springfield Armory National Historic Site and tour its public areas.

However, a permit is required for some activities to ensure the protection of park resources, its values, and its purpose and to prevent significant disruption of normal visitor uses. For example, if you or your group would like to hold a special event, you may need a permit.

There are different permits for different activities.

Special Use Permits are for:

• Special Events (Military commissioning ceremonies, concerts, rallies, fairs, etc.) and other large gatherings
• Access to areas usually closed to the public
• Use of park classrooms and meeting spaces

Research Applications are for:

• Access the park's objects, archives, and research library.

Filming and Photography:

• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Occurs in areas open to the public;

  • Uses hand-carried equipment only;

  • Does not require exclusive use of a site;

  • Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and

  • Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS.

• Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
• Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.

The Superintendent's Compendium for the Springfield Armory has more specific guidance and permit requirements.

The National Park Service webpage for Special Park Uses and Permits can also give you more detailed information.

To discuss a proposed activity at Springfield Armory, please contact Alan Amelinckx: [e-mail]