Massachusetts State Armory
About this property
The Massachusetts State Armory is a historic armory in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Built in 1913, it is a fine local example of Classical Revival architecture, and a symbol of the town's long military history. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It presently houses the Americal Civic Center, a local community center. The armory is located on the west side of Main Street, at its southwest corner with Armory Street. It is a two-story Classical Revival brick building, whose front facade is dominated by a Classical portico with four columns extending the full height of the building. It has a stone water table and modillioned cornice. Windows have stone sills, and those on the first floor have stone keystones. Wakefield's military history dates to the 17th century, when it was part of Reading. Its first militia company was raised in 1644, and had a continuous history extending to 1840. The Washington Rifle Greens were organized in 1812, and survived until 1850. In 1850 Dr. Solon O. Richardson, a prominent local businessman, organized the Richardson Light Guard, which served in the American Civil War. The town's first armory, a former town hall, was opened in 1873, with a new one built in 1894 on Main Street. That building burned down in 1911, and the state built the present building two years later. In 1975 the building was turned over to the town, and it was adapted for use as a community center. National Register of Historic Places listings in Wakefield, Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Questions about this property
When was Massachusetts State Armory listed on the National Register?
Massachusetts State Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 1989.
What type of historic resource is Massachusetts State Armory?
Massachusetts State Armory is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Massachusetts State Armory?
The period of significance for Massachusetts State Armory is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Massachusetts State Armory?
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