Armory of the Kentish Guards facts for kids
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Armory of the Kentish Guards
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1774 Armory Street, East Greenwich, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1842 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | East Greenwich Historic District (ID74000036) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000012 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1970 |
| Designated CP | June 13, 1974 |
The Armory of the Kentish Guards is a historic building in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. It serves as the home for the Kentish Guards. This group is a very old state militia organization. A militia is a group of citizens who can be called upon to serve as soldiers, usually in emergencies.
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History of the Kentish Guards Armory
The Kentish Guards group was started in 1774. This was just before the American Revolution, a very important war for America's independence.
The armory building itself was built much later, in 1843. Its design is called Greek Revival, which means it looks like ancient Greek temples. The state of Rhode Island gave the Kentish Guards $1,000 to help build it. This money was a thank-you for their help during a time of unrest in 1842.
In 1970, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States that are worth protecting.
What's Inside the Armory?
The Armory has a special gallery. Here you can see pictures of people who used to be members of the Kentish Guards.
There is also an original document called a "charter" hanging on the wall. A charter is like an official permission paper. This one reminds everyone of the men who first started the Kentish Guards in 1774.
How to Visit the Armory
You can visit the Kentish Guards Armory on certain days. The militia company meets there on Tuesdays. The fife and drum group, which plays music, practices on Wednesdays. Both of these usually happen around 8:00 PM.
It's a good idea to check their website for exact times and to make sure they are open. You can also arrange a special visit by appointment. For more details, visit www.kentishguards.org.
Famous Members of the Kentish Guards
Some important people in American history were once part of the Kentish Guards:
- James Mitchell Varnum: He was the first leader of the Kentish Guards. He became a general during the American Revolution.
- Nathanael Greene: He was a private in the Kentish Guards. Even though he had a limp and didn't have much formal schooling, he became a very important Major General during the American Revolution.
- Christopher Greene: He was a lawmaker and a soldier.
Images for kids
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Kentish Guards at the 2017 Bristol Fourth of July Parade
