Seventh Regiment Armory facts for kids
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Seventh Regiment Armory
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Park Avenue Armory (2019)
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 Location in Manhattan
Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 643 Park Avenue New York City |
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| Built | 1880 |
| Architect | Charles W. Clinton |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001208 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | February 24, 1986 |
The Seventh Regiment Armory, also known as Park Avenue Armory, is a historic building in New York City. It was built for the National Guard, which is a part of the U.S. armed forces. This large building is located at 643 Park Avenue in the Upper East Side area of Manhattan.
The Armory was built in 1880. It features a unique brick and stone design. The building's style is called Gothic Revival. This means it looks like old European castles and churches. Charles Clinton was the architect who designed it. In 1986, the building was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history.
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Building Design and History
The Seventh Regiment Armory was designed by architect Charles Clinton. It was finished in 1880. What makes this building special is that it was one of only two armories in the United States built using private money. This means regular people, not the government, paid for it.
The building was first used by the 7th New York Militia Regiment. This group was nicknamed the Silk Stocking Regiment. Many of its members were from wealthy families in New York City. The Armory served as their main office and meeting place.
Inside the Armory
The inside of the Armory is famous for its beautiful rooms. They have detailed wood carvings, fancy marble, and colorful stained glass windows. These designs make the building feel very grand.
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The main part of the building faces Park Avenue. It has rooms for welcoming guests, a library, a veterans' room, and offices. Many famous architects and designers helped decorate these rooms.
The library is sometimes called the Silver Room or "Trophy Room." It was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. He worked with architect Stanford White on this project. The most amazing room is the Veterans Room, also known as the Tiffany Room. It has hand-carved wood walls and a special ceiling. Other skilled artists like Kimbel and Cabus and the Herter Brothers also contributed to the building's beauty.
How the Armory Has Been Used
The Armory has had many different uses over the years. It has been a place for military training, sports, and even radio shows!
Past Uses of the Armory
Because of its great sound quality, the Armory was used for a famous live radio play. This play was called The Fall of the City by Archibald MacLeish. It was broadcast in 1937.
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From 1900 to 1963, the Armory was a major sports venue. It hosted the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships. Many important tennis matches were played there.
Current Activities at the Armory
Today, the Armory is home to the Park Avenue Armory. This is a group that works to bring the building back to life. They use it as a special place for art shows and performances. It's a unique space for artists to create and share their work.
Other groups also use the Armory:
- The 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment of the New York Army National Guard. This unit continues the history of the original 7th Regiment.
- The Veterans of the 7th Regiment, who are former members of the military group.
- The Knickerbocker Greys, an after-school program for young people. This program has been at the Armory since 1902.
- The Veteran Corps of Artillery (VCA). This is a ceremonial group formed by American Revolutionary War veterans in 1790.
- The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Women's Mental Health Shelter, which helps women in need.
The Park Avenue Armory also works with Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design. This partnership helps students learn about design and architecture. The Knickerbocker Greys also have their clubhouse inside the Armory. It is the oldest after-school program in the country.
