First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory facts for kids
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First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory
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First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory, March 2011
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 122 W. Leigh St., Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Cutshaw, Wilford Emory |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 09001158 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 23, 2009 |
The First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory is a very old and important building in Richmond, Virginia. It's also known by other names like the Leigh Street Armory or Monroe School. An armory is a place where soldiers keep their weapons and train. This building has a rich history, serving different purposes over the years, especially for the African-American community in Richmond. It was built in 1895 and is known for its unique look.
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A Look at the Armory Building
The First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory is a two-story building made of brick. It was designed in a style called Late Victorian. This style was popular in the late 1800s. The building has some cool features that make it stand out.
Unique Architectural Features
The armory has four brick towers. Two of these towers are round, like small castles, and are called turrets. There's also a rectangular tower right over the main entrance. Another square tower adds to its grand look. Along the top edge of the roof, you can see a pattern called crenellation. This looks like the battlements you might see on an old fort or castle.
Changes Over Time
The inside of the building had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1985. This fire caused a lot of damage, but the building was repaired. Later, in 1998, a gymnasium that was added in the 1940s was removed. Even with these changes, the outside of the building still looks much like it did when it was first built.
A Place of Many Stories
This armory building has played many different roles throughout its history. It started as a training place for soldiers. Then, it became a school, and later, a museum. Each chapter of its story is important to the history of Richmond and the United States.
Early Days as a Military Armory
When it was first built in 1895, the armory was home to an African-American militia company. A militia is a group of citizens who train to be soldiers, ready to help in emergencies. This company used the building to store their gear and practice their drills until 1899.
Serving as a School for Children
After its time as a military armory, the building became a school. It served as a school for African-American children for many years. During World War II, it briefly changed roles again. It became a reception center for African-American servicemen. This was a place where soldiers of color could gather and get ready for their service. After the war, it went back to being a school for African-American children. This continued until 1954, when schools in the United States began to end segregation. Desegregation meant that students of all races could attend the same schools.
Home to History and Culture
For a while, the building housed The Black History Museum of Richmond. Today, it is home to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. This museum celebrates the rich history and culture of African Americans in Virginia. The museum finished its most recent construction in May 2016. This building is very special because it is the oldest of only three known African-American armories in the entire country.
National Recognition
Because of its important history and unique architecture, the First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. This is a list of places across the United States that are considered important to our country's history and should be preserved.
