How Job Cuts at the National Park Service Are Affecting Mass. Historic Sites
Rachel Rapier, a former museum technician at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, was one of more than a thousand National Park Service (NPS) employees whose position was eliminated on Feb. 14. On that day, a wave of layoffs hit the NPS, with hundreds of probationary employees like Rapier losing their jobs to cost-cutting directives issued by the new Department of Government Efficiency under the direction of billionaire Elon Musk.
For historic sites in Massachusetts like Springfield managed by the NPS, the ability to deliver visitor services, interpretation, and care for these American treasures could be compromised. David Bernstein from the Friends of the Cape National Seashore has warned that inadequate staffing could jeopardize essential programs, including tours and environmental management of the site.
Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, says that about ten of the thousands of positions terminated were at Massachusetts sites. According to a Boston.com report, the Association reported firings of three people at Cape Cod National Seashore, two at Boston National Historic Park, three at Lowell National Historical Park, one at Minute Man National Park, and one at the Springfield Armory.
NPS records reveal that 16 sites in Massachusetts collectively welcome more than 8 million visitors per year. With rumors of more layoffs and budget reductions to come, an air of uncertainty hangs over these historic places.
A report obtained from Sen. Ed Markey’s office revealed that Massachusetts ranked No. 11 in the United States, with $1.3 billion in economic contributions from national park visitors in 2024. Approximately $863 million contributed to direct visitor spending.
Nikki Stewart, the executive director of the nonprofit Old North Illuminated, which is affiliated with Boston’s Old North Church Historic Site, said that cutting seasonal NPS employees means fewer bathroom locations in Boston and fewer staff available to offer directions or tell the story behind a historic site for visitors.
“That greatly impacts the experience that people have when they’re visiting Boston, which impacts whether they’re going to come back,” said Stewart in an interview with Boston.com. “It impacts how much money they spend. It impacts if they recommend Boston as a destination to all of their friends and family back home.”