The historic Westerly Armory, after serving the military for decades, today houses an extensive museum for military and community memorabilia, and serves as a community space and event venue.
The Westerly Armory was built in 1901, but before that on Main Street, there was a wood-framed armory built in 1860 which did not live long but perished in the flames of fire and exploding ammunition at 1:00 am on 30 April 1899.
Born in 1901 and costing $30,000, the new armory was erected in a new location on a triangle of land with Railroad Avenue and Dixon Street on two sides and West Street in the rear. William R. Walker & Son was the architectural firm used — the same firm that had already designed the Pawtucket Armory – and later, the great Providence (Cranston Street), Woonsocket, and Kentish Artillery armories. The firm also designed the riding rink and stables of the Armory of Mounted Commands on North Main Street, Providence.
The Westerly Sun reported on 21 June 1902, “A perfect mob of people inspected the building from cellar to roof. All were loud in praise of the new building. It is just what Westerly needs.” And so that has been the case.
Address & Contact
- Street:
- Located on Railroad Avenue
- City:
- Westerly
- State:
- RI
- Zip:
- 02891
- Phone:
- (401) 596-8554
- Website:
- http://westerlyarmory.org
- Category:
- Community/Government