New Hampshire State Union Armory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
New Hampshire State Union Armory
|
|
 |
|
 New Hampshire State Union Armory
Location in New Hampshire
New Hampshire State Union Armory
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 60 Pleasant St., Manchester, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| Built by | Col. Alfred A. Collins |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004993 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1982 |
The New Hampshire State Union Armory is a very old and important building in Manchester, New Hampshire. It's located at 60 Pleasant Street. This large brick building was finished in 1904. It was the very first armory building in the state of New Hampshire. An armory is a place where soldiers train and store their equipment. This building is a great example of Romanesque architecture, which is a style of building that looks strong and fortress-like. Because of its history and unique design, the armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
What Does the Armory Look Like?
The New Hampshire State Union Armory is in downtown Manchester. It sits on the south side of Pleasant Street. The building has two main parts. The first part is the "head house," which faces Pleasant Street. The second part is the "drill hall," which is behind the head house. It stretches all the way to West Central Street.
The Main Entrance and Design
The front of the building looks like a strong fortress. It has a section that sticks out from the main wall. This part is two stories tall. It is framed by very large brick columns called pilasters. These pilasters make the building look even more solid and impressive.
The Drill Hall's Special Features
The drill hall is the large area where soldiers would practice their drills. It is about two stories high and has a gabled roof. The ground slopes downwards on one side. This means the basement of the drill hall is fully visible from the south side. There is a big granite archway on that side. This archway lets people get into the basement.
One really cool thing about the drill hall is its special supports. These supports can be moved into place. They help make the main hall's floor even stronger. This was important for when soldiers were doing their training exercises.
Why Was the Armory Built?
The New Hampshire State Union Armory was built in 1904. It was designed by a person named Alfred A. Collins. This building was very important because it was the first armory in New Hampshire. Before this, the state's soldiers, known as the militia, didn't have one central place.
A Place for Training and Storage
The armory was built to help organize and manage the state's militia better. It was the first time all the main activities for the soldiers could happen in one spot. This included training, meetings, and storing all their equipment properly. It helped the state's defense forces become more organized and ready.
