Editing Springfield, Massachusetts (section)

==Arts and culture==
===Cuisine===
Springfield's mosaic of ethnic communities have long played a role in its culinary institutions, with many newer smaller restaurants and several decades-old establishments in its downtown.<ref name="zvastudy"/> Among its oldest institutions are Smith's Billiards, founded in 1902, which serves Theodore's Blues, Booze, & BBQ, a neighboring barbecue and music venue since 1979, recognized as the "Best Blues Club in the Country" in 2004 by the [[Blues Foundation]]. Other venues include [[The Student Prince (restaurant)|The Student Prince Cafe]], a long-running [[German cuisine|German restaurant]] at its downtown location since 1935, featured on ''[[Thrillist]]'s'' 2014 Editor's Choice bars, and a wide array of long-running acclaimed [[Italian cuisine|Italian restaurants]] such as Frigo's (1950), The Red Rose (1963), and Leone's (1988) and pastry shops like La Fiorentina (1947).<ref>{{cite news|work=Phantom Gourmet/CBS 4|location=Boston|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/02/23/phantom-gourmet-red-rose-is-springfield/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329221331/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/02/23/phantom-gourmet-red-rose-is-springfield/|archive-date=March 29, 2016|title=Phantom Gourmet: Red Rose In Springfield}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media | date = April 16, 2015 | title = Frigo's—Springfield MA | via = Youtube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evAIu5VPpIg | publisher = Phantom Gourmet | access-date = September 11, 2019 | archive-date = June 30, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630012303/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evAIu5VPpIg | url-status = live }}</ref>

In recent decades the city has also become home to a number of cuisines not found elsewhere in the region, including [[Cajun cuisine|Cajun restaurant]] Chef Wayne's Big Mamou,<ref>{{cite AV media | date = October 4, 2015 | title = Chef Wayne's Big Mamou—Springfield MA | via = Youtube | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NtomXCBpVE | publisher = Phantom Gourmet | access-date = September 11, 2019 | archive-date = May 18, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200518172919/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NtomXCBpVE&gl=US&hl=en | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Lebanese cuisine|Lebanese restaurant]] Nadim's Downtown,<ref>{{cite news|title=Nadim's Downtown offers best of both worlds for Springfield diners|work=The Republican|location=Springfield, Mass.|url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2017/07/nadims_springfield_review_1.html|last=Bellamy|first=Fran|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523054938/https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2017/07/nadims_springfield_review_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> local chain Puerto Rican Bakery,<ref>{{cite news|title=Springfield's Puerto Rico Bakery and Restaurant owner Jorge Perez says basic business procedures keep business flourishing|url=https://www.masslive.com/business-news/2011/02/springfield_puerto_rico_bakery_ii.html|last=Santana|first=Lucila|work=El Pueblo Latino|location=Springfield, Mass.|via=MassLive|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523054943/https://www.masslive.com/business-news/2011/02/springfield_puerto_rico_bakery_ii.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and a host of other Greek, Jamaican, Mexican, and Vietnamese venues.<ref>{{cite news|title=The foodie guide to Springfield|url=https://www.gazettenet.com/Foodie-Guide-to-springfield-21240757|date=December 7, 2018|last=Whitehead|first=Margaret|work=Daily Hampshire Gazette|location=Northampton, Mass|access-date=September 11, 2019|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523054942/https://www.gazettenet.com/Foodie-Guide-to-springfield-21240757|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Festivals===
* Armory Big Band Concerts: annually each summer the [[Springfield Armory]] features 1940s big band concerts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau—Springfield Armory Big Band Concert |url=http://www.valleyvisitor.com/events-calendar-jump-to/events/springfield-armory-big-band-concert.html?day=20120901 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611151058/http://www.valleyvisitor.com/events-calendar-jump-to/events/springfield-armory-big-band-concert.html?day=20120901 |archive-date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2017}}</ref>
* Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend: a week of events culminating in the enshrinement of new members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hoophall.com/enshrinement-tickets/ |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Enshrinement Tickets |publisher=Hoophall.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525034639/http://www.hoophall.com/enshrinement-tickets/ |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}</ref>
* [[Bright Nights (Springfield)|Bright Nights]]: Since 1995, over 600,000 lights have illuminated a {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} driving tour of [[Forest Park (Springfield)|Forest Park]] every year from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bright Nights at Forest Park |url=https://www.brightnights.org/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=www.brightnights.org |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204201043/https://www.brightnights.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Caribbean Festival: held annually in late August, featuring a parade, music, and fashion show.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ashley Kohl |title=Caribbean Festival in Springfield &#124; MyMassAppeal.com |url=http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/mass_appeal/leisure/caribbean-festival-in-springfield |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927175354/http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/mass_appeal/leisure/caribbean-festival-in-springfield |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |publisher=Wwlp.com}}</ref>
* Glendi: a three-day Greek cultural festival hosted by the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral every September. The festival, which offers [[Greek cuisine|Greek food]], pastries, and music, is one of the premier [[Greek festival]]s in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glendi 2022 |url=https://www.stgeorgecath.org/glendi |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral |language=en |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203000015/https://www.stgeorgecath.org/glendi |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Hoop City Jazz Festival: an annual event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hampden Bank's Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival |url=https://www.hoopcityjazz.org/ |url-status=usurped |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=www.hoopcityjazz.org |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219043920/https://www.hoopcityjazz.org/ }}</ref>
* Mattoon Street Arts Festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome &#124; Mattoon Street Arts Festival Springfield, Mass |url=http://www.mattoonfestival.org/ |publisher=Mattoonfestival.org |access-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905231500/http://www.mattoonfestival.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society Festival: a mid-July celebration of Italian feast days in Springfield's [[South End, Springfield, Massachusetts|South End]], featuring food and a parade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Republican |first=Cori Urban {{!}} Special to The |date=2016-07-13 |title=Our Lady of Mount Carmel feast in Springfield keeps tradition alive |url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2016/07/our_lady_of_mount_carmel_feast.html |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=masslive |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219043921/https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2016/07/our_lady_of_mount_carmel_feast.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Parade of Big Balloons: a [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] parade featuring a {{convert|75|ft|m|0|adj=on}} inflatable "Cat in the Hat", large balloons, bands, and marching contingents Springfield's [[Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts|Metro Center]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2022 |title=Parade of the Big Balloons |url=https://www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/parade-of-big-balloons |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=Spirit of Springfield |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215200248/https://www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/parade-of-big-balloons }}</ref>
* Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival: each spring, featuring two weeks of films, guest speakers, and events related to Jewish culture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival Welcome |url=http://pvjff.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702053907/http://pvjff.org/ |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |access-date=May 20, 2011 |publisher=Pvjff.org}}</ref>
* Springfield Pride: Springfield [[LGBT pride|Pride]] Week was held in June 2011.<ref name="masslive.com">{{cite web |last=Goonan |first=Peter |date=June 4, 2011 |title=Grassroots group plans first-ever Springfield Pride Week |url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/grassroots_group_plans_first-e.html |work=The Republican |access-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609093214/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/grassroots_group_plans_first-e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first [[Pride parade]] was held in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grout |first=Michelle |title=Springfield, LGBTQ+ Pride Parade! |url=https://springfielddowntown.com/event/springfield-lgbtq-pride-parade/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=Springfield BID |language=en-US |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219043918/https://springfielddowntown.com/event/springfield-lgbtq-pride-parade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
* Star Spangled Springfield: an [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration and fireworks display.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2022 |title=Star Spangled Springfield |url=https://www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/star-spangled-springfield |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=Spirit of Springfield |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602071818/https://www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/star-spangled-springfield |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Stearns Square Concert Series, and Bike Nights: annually from June through September featuring live music at [[Stearns Square]]. Bike Nights coincides with the concerts, and is an event for motorcyclists.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
* World's Largest Pancake Breakfast: annually, near the city's founding date of May 14, Springfield attempts to break the [[Guinness Book of World Records|Guinness]] world record for largest number of pancakes served.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast |url=http://www.spiritofspringfield.org/breakfast/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708012106/http://www.spiritofspringfield.org/breakfast/index.html |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |publisher=Spirit of Springfield}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Japanese Arms and Armor Gallery - George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum - DSC03522.JPG|thumb|[[Edo period]] Japanese armor at the [[George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum]]]]

Springfield is home to five distinct museums at the [[Quadrangle (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Quadrangle]], along with the ornate [[Springfield City Library]]—an architecturally significant example of the [[City Beautiful]] movement. The Quadrangle's five distinct collections include the [[Dr. Seuss Memorial|Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden]]; the largest collection of Chinese cloisonne outside of China; and the original casting of [[Augustus Saint Gaudens]]'s most famous sculpture, ''Puritan''.

The Quadrangle's five museums are the Museum of Fine Arts, which features a large [[Impressionist]] collection; the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, a collection of Asian curiosities; the [[Springfield Science Museum]], which features a life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex, an aquarium and  the first American-made [[planetarium]], designed and built (1937) by Frank Korkosz; the [[Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum]], as Springfield is the birthplace of [[Dr. Seuss|Theodor Geisel]]; and the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, a museum about the multi-faceted city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/|title=The Museums|date=July 2015|publisher=Springfield Museums|access-date=April 26, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628032833/http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum was one of the Quadrangle's five museums until 2009.

In 2017 the [[Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum]] opened in the former location, the [[William Pynchon]] Memorial Building. The collections of the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum are now located in the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pioneervalleyhistorynetwork.org/locations/connecticut-valley-historical-museum-genealogy-library/#:~:text=The%20Connecticut%20Valley%20Historical%20Museum,Wood%20Museum%20of%20Springfield%20History!|title=CONNECTICUT VALLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, Springfield|date=June 18, 2010|access-date=October 6, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006123633/https://pioneervalleyhistorynetwork.org/locations/connecticut-valley-historical-museum-genealogy-library/#:~:text=The%20Connecticut%20Valley%20Historical%20Museum,Wood%20Museum%20of%20Springfield%20History!|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-amazing-world-of-dr-seuss-museum-is-officially-open|title=A Museum Dedicated to Dr. Seuss Just Opened|last=Craggs|first=Ryan|date=June 5, 2017|work=Condé Nast Traveler|access-date=August 21, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822014720/https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-amazing-world-of-dr-seuss-museum-is-officially-open|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/06/05/the-amazing-world-of-dr-seuss-museum-opens-in-springfield-massachusetts/102509338/|title=Oh the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss museum opens its doors|date=June 5, 2017|work=USA TODAY|access-date=August 21, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821224942/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2017/06/05/the-amazing-world-of-dr-seuss-museum-opens-in-springfield-massachusetts/102509338/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Springfield's Indian Orchard neighborhood is home to the RMS Titanic Historical Society's [[Titanic Historical Society|Titanic Museum]], which displays a collection of rare artifacts that tell stories about the ill-fated ocean liner's passengers and crew.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.titanic1.org/museum/index.asp |title=Titanic Historical Society |publisher=Titanic1.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522072938/http://www.titanic1.org/museum/index.asp |archive-date=May 22, 2011 }}</ref>

===Music===
[[File:Springfield Symphony Orchestra before concert.jpg|thumb|[[Springfield Symphony Orchestra]]]]

The [[Springfield Symphony Orchestra]] performs in [[Symphony Hall, Springfield|Springfield Symphony Hall]].

In 2011, Springfield's music scene was eclectic. It featured a notable heavy rock scene, from which the bands Gaiah, [[Staind]], [[All That Remains (band)|All That Remains]], [[Shadows Fall]], and [[The Acacia Strain]] rose to national prominence. Jazz and blues rival rock in popularity.

In 2010 and 2011 the Springfield-headquartered [[Hampden Bank]] sponsored the Hoops City Jazz & Art Festival, a three-day event that drew approximately 30,000 people to Metro Center to hear varieties of different jazz music—from smooth jazz, to hard bop, to New Orleans-style jazz. Headliners included Springfield great [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]], the [[Average White Band]], and [[Poncho Sanchez]].

===Points of interest===
* [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Basketball Hall of Fame]]: housed in a $47&nbsp;million structure designed by [[Gwathmey Siegel & Associates]], it is a shrine to the world's second most popular sport, basketball. Located in the city where basketball was invented, the facility—built beside the [[Connecticut River]]—spans {{convert|80,000|sqft|m2|-2}} features numerous restaurants and the [[WMAS-FM]] studios. However, it is separated from Springfield's [[Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts|Metro Center]] by an eight-lane highway, [[Interstate 91 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 91]].
* Bright Nights: during the holiday season, [[Forest Park (Springfield)|Forest Park]] hosts a lighting display.
* City Stage: features off-Broadway productions, comedians, and children's programming.
* [[Club Quarter]]: a grouping of 60 clubs, bars, and restaurants around Stearns Square, Worthington and Main Streets. Springfield's variety of nightclubs and entertainment is part of what makes it, according to [[Yahoo!]], one of America's ten best cities for dating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://realestate.yahoo.com/neighborhoods/best_and_worst_cities_for_dating.html |title=Best and Worst Cities for Dating |publisher=Yahoo! Real Estate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314144337/http://realestate.yahoo.com/neighborhoods/best_and_worst_cities_for_dating.html |archive-date=March 14, 2012 }}</ref> [[LGBT]] and dance clubs are integrated with hip-hop, rock, jazz, and blues clubs. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are particularly busy evenings.
* [[Connecticut River Walk Park]]: a landscaped park that snakes along the [[Connecticut River]], offering views of the [[Mount Tom Range]], [[Mount Holyoke Range]], and Springfield's skyline. However, this park is separated from the city by the eight lane [[Interstate 91 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 91]], which cuts through three riverfront neighborhoods and poses accessibility challenges. In 2010, the [[Urban Land Institute]] released a plan for Springfield's riverfront, presenting the possibility of moving Interstate 91 or otherwise altering it to allow easier access to the River Walk and the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref name="scholarworks.umass.edu">{{cite web |url=http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=larp_honors&sei-redir=1#search=springfield+divided+by+91 |title=Landscape Urbanism for the Highway city of Springfield North End |author=Piyawut Inthasorn |date=May 14, 2010 |website=scholarworks.umass.edu |access-date=July 12, 2017 |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112123419/http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=larp_honors&sei-redir=1#search=springfield+divided+by+91 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Michael McAuliffe |author2=The Republican |url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/study_by_urban_land_institute.html |title=Study by Urban Land Institute envisions revitalized Springfield waterfront |date=May 5, 2010 |publisher=masslive.com |access-date=June 18, 2011 |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328130536/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/study_by_urban_land_institute.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/riverfront-proj.0.html |title=City of Springfield, Mass.: Riverfront |publisher=Springfieldcityhall.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703195451/http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/riverfront-proj.0.html |archive-date=July 3, 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Court Square]]: a park, referred to as "Springfield's front door", it remains the city's only topographical constant since its founding in 1636. Located on Main Street and surrounded by ornate architecture, including the iconic [[Springfield Municipal Group]], Court Square is the civic heart of Springfield. Until the 1960s, Court Square extended to the [[Connecticut River]]; however, as with [[Forest Park (Springfield)|Forest Park]], its connection to the river was severed by the building of the [[Interstate 91 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 91]] elevated highway.
* [[Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden]]: amidst the Quadrangle, there are large, bronze statues of characters from Springfield native [[Dr. Seuss]]'s books.
* First Game of Basketball Sculpture: located directly on the site of the first game of basketball, this illuminated sculpture in Springfield's [[McKnight, Springfield, Massachusetts (and Mason Square)|Mason Square]] commercial district has become a site of pilgrimage for basketball fans from around the world.
* [[Forest Park (Springfield)|Forest Park]]: nearly the same size as Central Park at {{convert|735|acre|ha|1}}, it features the Zoo at Forest Park; the {{convert|31|acre|ha|1}} Porter Lake; numerous playgrounds; a formal rose garden; 38 tennis courts; a skating arena; numerous basketball and bocce courts; lawn bowling fields; Victorian promenades and water gardens; tree groves; baseball diamonds; numerous statues; an aquatic park; and the Barney Carriage House, where many weddings take place. Contrary to popular belief, the park was not designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted.
* King Philip's Stockade: a historic, city park where in 1675, the Pocumtuc Indians—organized by Chief [[Metacomet]], also known as King Philip—initiated the [[Attack on Springfield]] during [[King Philip's War]]. During the attack, approximately 75% of the city was burned.
* [[MassMutual Center]]: formerly known as the Springfield Civic Center, this 8,000-seat arena and convention center received a $71&nbsp;million renovation in 2003–2005. Located across from historic [[Court Square]] in [[Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts|Metro Center]], the arena houses the [[American Hockey League]]'s [[Springfield Thunderbirds]]. The venue also attracts big-name concert tours. In the past, it has hosted concerts by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Van Halen]], [[Marilyn Manson]], [[The Eagles]], and [[Bob Dylan]], among many others.
* [[Mulberry Street (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Mulberry Street]]: the street featuring the house that inspired [[Dr. Seuss]]'s first children's book, the classic ''[[And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street]].''
* [[The Puritan (Springfield)|The Puritan]]: a famous statue designed by [[Augustus Saint-Gaudens]] depicting Deacon Samuel Chapin, an early settler of Springfield. Originally located in Stearns Square, it has been located in Merrick Park in the Quadrangle for over 100 years and become a symbol of Springfield.
* The [[Quadrangle (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Quadrangle]]: a campus of five museums surrounding the [[Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden]]. It includes the [[Quadrangle (Springfield, Massachusetts)#Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts|Museum of Fine Arts]], known for its [[Impressionist]] and [[Dutch Renaissance]] collections, as well as its collection of American masters, including works by Springfielder [[James McNeill Whistler]]. The [[Springfield Science Museum]] features the United States' first [[planetarium]] (built 1931), and a large [[dinosaur]] exhibit. The [[George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum]] is known worldwide{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} for housing the largest collection of Chinese [[cloisonné]] outside of China; it also features exotic curiosities like Asian suits of armor, and a collection of marble busts. The Quadrangle also features two regional history museums: the Connecticut Valley Historical Society, which tells the story of "The Great River" and its people, and the new Museum of Springfield History, which showcases the innovations that make Springfield "The City of Progress" during the [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist period]] and [[Industrial Revolution]], which includes the first American–English dictionary, the first gasoline-powered car, the first successful motorcycle company, the first modern fire engine, and dozens of other firsts (see below for a more complete list).
* St. John's Congregational Church: founded in 1844 as the Sanford Street "Free Church", St. John's Congregational Church is a predominately black church that played a pivotal role in the [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolitionist]] movement. While living in Springfield, [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]] attended services here from 1846 to 1850, and as of 2011, the church still displays ''John Brown's Bible''. It was at this church where John Brown met [[Frederick Douglass]], [[Sojourner Truth]], and other prominent abolitionists—and where he later founded the militant ''League of Gileadites'' in response to the [[Fugitive Slave Act]]. As of 2011, St. John's remains one of the most prominent, predominately black congregations in the Northeastern United States.<ref name="sjkb">{{cite web |url=http://sjkb.org/discover_stjohns/history.html |title=History &#124; St. John's Congregational Church &#124; Springfield, MA |publisher=Sjkb.org |date=June 22, 2010 |access-date=December 27, 2011 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426062202/http://sjkb.org/discover_stjohns/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[St. Michael's Cathedral, Springfield|St. Michael's Cathedral]]: beside the Quadrangle, this elegant Catholic Church is the seat of the Diocese of [[Greater Springfield]].
* [[Stacy Building]]: the location where, in 1892–1893, the [[Duryea Brothers]] built the first, American gasoline-powered car, which in 1895 won the first automobile race in Chicago, Illinois. A model of the Duryea Brothers' first car sits in a tree-shaded park beside the historic location, amidst the restaurants and bars of the [[Club Quarter]].
* [[Six Flags New England]]: located {{convert|1|mi|km|1}} west of Springfield's [[South End, Springfield, Massachusetts|South End]] in Agawam, this amusement park is the largest in the Northeast and features a roller coaster, Superman the Ride.
* The [[Springfield Armory National Historic Site]]: founded by General [[George Washington]] and [[Henry Knox]] in 1777; the site of [[Shays' Rebellion]] in 1787, which led directly to the [[U.S. Constitutional Convention]]; the site of numerous technological innovations including the manufacturing advances known as [[interchangeable parts]], the [[assembly line]], and [[mass production]]; and the producer of the United States Military's firearms from 1794 to 1968, when the Armory was controversially shut down by Defense Secretary [[Robert McNamara]]. Today, it is a [[National Historic Sites (United States)|National Historic Site]], and features a museum that includes one of the world's largest collections of firearms.<ref name="nps.gov">{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm |title=Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) |publisher=Nps.gov |access-date=May 24, 2012 |archive-date=March 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323142701/http://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Springfield Cemetery (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Springfield Cemetery]]: opened in 1841 and located in the heart of the city, it is designed in the scenic [[rural cemetery]] tradition. The cemetery is the final resting place of many pioneer settlers and noted individuals from Springfield and the region.
* Symphony Hall: dedicated in 1913 by President [[William Howard Taft]] as part of the [[Springfield Municipal Group]], Springfield Symphony Hall features "perfect acoustics". It is home to the [[Springfield Symphony Orchestra]], and also hosts Broadway touring productions.
* [[Stearns Square]]: designed by the artistic team of [[Stanford White]] and [[Augustus Saint-Gaudens]] in 1897, this small park is the center of Springfield's Club Quarter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/news/view/360-walking_tour_to_visit_outdoor_sculpture_by_saint-gaudens |title=Walking Tour to Visit Outdoor Sculpture by Saint-Gaudens—News |publisher=Springfield Museums |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=April 14, 2011 |archive-date=July 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701190458/http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/news/view/360-walking_tour_to_visit_outdoor_sculpture_by_saint-gaudens |url-status=live }}</ref> It features ornate architectural and sculptural details from the original team's design; however, most of those were meant to accompany The Puritan, and thus moved to storage. Stearns Square hosts a large motorcycle gathering each Thursday evening, and is the site of a summer concert series.

===Architecture===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Springfield, Massachusetts}}
[[File:UnityChurch.jpg|thumb|right|Unity Church (1869), the first commission of architect [[Henry Hobson Richardson|H. H. Richardson]]; demolished  1961.]]
[[File:SpringfieldMA MattoonStreet 2.jpg|thumb|right|Victorian-era rowhouses]]
{{multiple image
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   | footer = [[Monarch Place]] (left); [[Tower Square (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Tower Square]] (right), also known as the MassMutual Tower
   | image1 = Monarch Place as seen from Steiger Park during day, Springfield, Massachusetts.jpg
   | image2 = Tower Square (BayState West, MassMutual Tower), Springfield, Massachusetts.jpg}}

In addition to its nickname ''The City of Firsts'', Springfield is known as ''The City of Homes'' for its attractive architecture, which differentiates it from most medium-size, Northeastern American cities. Most of Springfield's housing stock consists of Victorian "[[Painted Ladies]]" (similar to those found in San Francisco); however, Springfield also features [[Gilded Age]] mansions, urban condominiums buildings, brick apartment blocks, and more suburban post-World War II architecture (in the Sixteen Acres and Pine Point neighborhoods). While Springfield's architecture is attractive, much of its built-environment stems from the 19th and early 20th centuries when the city experienced a period of "intense and concentrated prosperity"—today, its Victorian architecture can be found in various states of rehabilitation and disrepair. As of 2011, Springfield's housing prices are considerably lower than nearby New England cities which do not feature such intricate architecture.

In Metro Center, stands the two prominent skyscrapers, Tower Square, and [[Monarch Place]], the latter of which is the tallest building in Massachusetts outside of Boston. Many of the city's Victorian buildings including former hotels, factories, and other institutions have been converted into apartment buildings and luxury condominiums. For example, Springfield's ornate Classical High School (235 State Street), with its immense Victorian atrium—where Dr. Seuss, Timothy Leary, and Taj Mahal all went to high school—is now a luxury condominium building. The [[Hotel Kimball]], (140 Chestnut Street), which hosted several U.S. Presidents as guests and once featured the United States' first commercial radio station (WBZ), has been converted into The [[Kimball Towers Condominiums]].<ref name="hammondmuseumofradio.org">{{cite web|author=Paul Cassel|url=http://www.hammondmuseumofradio.org/wbz-dhalper.html|title=WBZ and WBZA in the 20s and 30s|publisher=Hammondmuseumofradio.org|access-date=June 10, 2011|archive-date=July 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721065410/http://www.hammondmuseumofradio.org/wbz-dhalper.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The former McIntosh Shoe Company (158 Chestnut Street), one of Springfield's finest examples of the [[Chicago school (architecture)|Chicago School of Architecture]], has been converted into industrial-style condominiums; and the red-brick, former Milton Bradley toy factory is now Stockbridge Court Apartments (45 Willow Street). In the Ridgewood Historic District, the 1950s-futurist Mulberry House (101 Mulberry Street), is now a condominium building that features some of the finest views of Springfield.

[[Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts|Forest Park (and Forest Park Heights)]], surrounding by the {{convert|735|acre|ha|1}} [[Forest Park (Springfield, Massachusetts)|Forest Park]], is a New England Garden District featuring more than 600 [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Painted Ladies]]. The [[McKnight, Springfield, Massachusetts (and Mason Square)|McKnight National Historic District]], America's first planned residential neighborhood, (1881), features more than 900 Victorian Painted Ladies, many of which have been rehabilitated by Springfield's growing [[LGBT]] community. The Old Hill, Upper Hill, and Bay neighborhoods also feature this type of architecture.

Maple High, which is architecturally (and geographically) distinct from, but often included with Springfield's economically depressed [[Six Corners]] neighborhood, was Springfield's first "Gold Coast". Many mansions from the early 19th century and later [[gilded age]] stand atop a bluff on Maple Street, overlooking the Connecticut River. The Ridgewood Historic district on Ridgewood and Mulberry Streets also feature historic mansions from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Springfield—like many mid-size Northeastern cities, e.g., Hartford, [[Albany, New York|Albany]], and New Haven—from the 1950s to the 1970s, razed a significant number of historic commercial buildings in the name of [[urban renewal]]. In 1961, this included Unity Church, the first building designed by the young [[Henry Hobson Richardson]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ochsner |first1=Jeffrey Karl |author-link1=Jeffrey Karl Ochsner |title=H.H. Richardson: Complete Architectural Works |year=1982 |publisher=MIT Press |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |isbn=978-0-262-65015-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/hhrichardsoncomp00ochs/page/25 25] |url=https://archive.org/details/hhrichardsoncomp00ochs/page/25 }}</ref> Springfield's Metro Center remains more aesthetically cohesive than many its peer cities; however, as elsewhere, the city currently features a patchwork of parking lots and grand old buildings. Current efforts are underway to improve the cohesion of Springfield's Metro Center, including the completed Main Street and State Street Corridor improvement projects, the upcoming $70&nbsp;million renovation to Springfield's 1926 Union Station and the renovation of the Epiphany Tower on State Street into a new hotel. New constructions include the architecturally award-winning, $57&nbsp;million [[Moshe Safdie]]-designed Federal Building on State Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/248.0.html |title=City of Springfield, Mass.: Alphabetical Project Update List |publisher=Springfieldcityhall.com |date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716123525/http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/248.0.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Public library===

{{Further|Springfield City Library (Massachusetts)|Quadrangle (Springfield, Massachusetts)#Springfield City Library|Indian Orchard Branch Library}}

Efforts to establish a public library began in the 1850s.<ref>C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. [https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ Google books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215200246/https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ |date=February 15, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/|title=Springfield City Library|website=Springfieldlibrary.org|access-date=July 12, 2017|archive-date=July 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707082212/http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> In fiscal year 2008, the city of Springfield spent 1.13% ($5,321,151) of its budget on its public library—approximately $35 per person, per year ($46.12 adjusted for inflation to 2022).<ref>July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: [http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php Municipal Pie Reports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php |date=January 23, 2012 }}. Retrieved August 4, 2010.</ref> In fiscal year 2009, Springfield spent about 1% ($5,077,158) of its budget on the library—approximately $32 per person, per year ($42.32 adjusted for inflation to 2022).<ref>July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009; cf. {{cite web|url=http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php |title=FY 2009 Municipal Pie Report |author=Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners |year=2011 |access-date=April 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php |archive-date=January 23, 2012 }}</ref> Springfield has Massachusetts' 2nd largest library circulation, behind Boston.

As of 2012, the public library purchases access for its patrons to databases owned by the following companies:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/databases_alphabetical.html |title=Library Catalogs & Electronic Databases |author=Springfield City Library |date=April 10, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222080356/http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/databases_alphabetical.html |archive-date=February 22, 2012 }}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[EBSCO Industries]]
* [[Foundation Center]]
* [[Gale (publisher)|Gale]], of [[Cengage Learning]]
* [[Infobase Publishing]]
* LearningExpress, LLC
* [[Merriam-Webster, Inc.]]
* [[NewsBank, Inc.]]
* [[Oxford University Press]]
* [[ProQuest]] (products include [[Massachusetts Newsstand]])
{{Div col end}}