New York State Armory (Poughkeepsie) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New York State Armory
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Armory in 2007, with sign for neighboring restaurant visible
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| Location | Poughkeepsie, NY |
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| Built | 1891–92 |
| Architect | Isaac G. Perry |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001154 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The New York State Armory is a historic building located in Poughkeepsie, New York. It was built in 1891 and has a unique style called Romanesque. The Armory was designed by Isaac G. Perry, who was the official architect for New York State at that time. He also designed the state capitol building and many other armories. Because it's an important historical place, the Armory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
What is an Armory?
An armory is a special building used by the military. It's a place where soldiers can train, store their weapons, and keep their equipment. Think of it like a headquarters and training center all in one!
Building Features
The Poughkeepsie Armory is located right in downtown Poughkeepsie. You can find it where Church Street and Market Street meet. It's also across the street from the Old YMCA building.
This armory is a two-and-a-half-story building. It's made from strong brick and rough-cut sandstone. If you're driving into Poughkeepsie from the west, perhaps over the Mid-Hudson Bridge, you can easily spot this impressive building.
Inside, the Armory has many original features that are still in great shape. You can see beautiful oak wood used for lockers, staircases, and floors. Even the original metal ceilings and light fixtures are still there!
History of the Armory
The building's history began on Memorial Day in 1891. Back then, this holiday was called Decoration Day. The Governor of New York, David B. Hill, was there for the special ceremony. He helped lay the first stone, called the cornerstone, for the building. Governor Hill spoke about how important it was to have military buildings like this. He also talked about how serving in the National Guard was a very respectable thing to do. The Armory was fully finished and ready to use the next year, in 1892.
Over the years, soldiers from this Armory were sent to fight in important wars. They served in the Spanish–American War and both World War I and World War II. The Armory wasn't just for soldiers, though. It was also a place for community events. People held basketball tournaments there. It even hosted birthday parties for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was a U.S. President and lived nearby in Hyde Park.
For a long time, a group of soldiers called Company A, 101st Signal Battalion of the New York Army National Guard were stationed at the Armory. However, in 2011, the National Guard moved these soldiers. They relocated the remaining 200 soldiers to Camp Smith. This camp is located further down the Hudson River near a town called Peekskill.
New Chapter for the Armory
In 2012, the New York State Armory was sold. It was bought by the Greater New York Seventh-Day Adventists Church. They bought the building at a public auction. The church plans to use the historic Armory for community programs and fun recreational activities.
