Massachusetts State Armory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Massachusetts State Armory
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Massachusetts State Armory in Wakefield
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 467 Main St., Wakefield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1913 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Wakefield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000707 |
| Added to NRHP | July 6, 1989 |
The Massachusetts State Armory is an old building in Wakefield, Massachusetts, that used to be a place where soldiers kept their weapons and trained. It was built in 1913. This building is a great example of a style called Classical Revival architecture. It also shows how important military history is to the town of Wakefield.
In 1989, the armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special building recognized for its history and design. Today, the armory is no longer used by the military. Instead, it's home to the Americal Civic Center, which is a place for the community to gather and hold events.
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What Does the Armory Look Like?
The armory building is on the west side of Main Street, where it meets Armory Street. It's a two-story building made of brick. Its design is called Classical Revival, which means it looks like old Greek or Roman buildings.
The front of the building has a large porch-like entrance with four tall columns. These columns go all the way up to the roof. The bottom part of the building is made of stone. The windows have stone sills, and the first-floor windows have special stone decorations above them called keystones.
A Look Back: Wakefield's Military History
Wakefield has a long and interesting military past, going all the way back to the 1600s.
Early Beginnings
The town's first group of local soldiers, called a militia, was formed in 1644. This group continued to exist for many years, until 1840. Another group, the Washington Rifle Greens, started in 1812 and lasted until 1850.
The Richardson Light Guard
In 1850, a local businessman named Dr. Solon O. Richardson started a new group called the Richardson Light Guard. This group was very important because they served during the American Civil War. The Civil War was a major conflict in the United States from 1861 to 1865.
Armories Through the Years
Wakefield's first armory was actually an old town hall building. It opened in 1873. Later, a new armory was built on Main Street in 1894. However, that building sadly burned down in 1911. Just two years later, in 1913, the state built the current Massachusetts State Armory.
In 1975, the armory was given to the town of Wakefield. Since then, it has been used as a community center, serving the people of Wakefield in a new way.
