Massachusetts State Armory

Massachusetts State Armory
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Massachusetts State Armory in Wakefield
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Location	467 Main St., Wakefield, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°30′5″N 71°4′13″W / 42.50139°N 71.07028°W / 42.50139; -71.07028Coordinates: 42°30′5″N 71°4′13″W / 42.50139°N 71.07028°W / 42.50139; -71.07028
Built	1913
Architectural style	Classical Revival
MPS	Wakefield MRA
NRHP reference No.	89000707[1]
Added to NRHP	July 6, 1989

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.^[1] It presently houses the Americal Civic Center, a local community center.

Description and history[]

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.^[2]

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.^[2] In 1975 the building was turned over to the town, and it was adapted for use as a community center.

See also[]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wakefield, Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

References[]