A former military HQ. That’s right. We are standing before the Park Avenue Armory. It is a treasure trove of history and art nestled on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The Park Avenue Armory isn’t just a pretty building. It is a testament to New York City’s vibrant past and present. Once known as the Seventh Regiment Armory it served as the headquarters for the 7th New York Militia Regiment. This wasn’t just any military unit. This was the “Silk Stocking” regiment. Its members came from New York’s wealthiest families like the Vanderbilts and the Roosevelts. The 7th Regiment even holds the distinction of being the first volunteer unit to respond to Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops during the Civil War in 1861.
Designed in the Gothic Revival style by Charles W Clinton the Park Avenue Armory was completed in 1880. The New York City Board of Aldermen approved the construction in 1875. The board refused to fund the construction cost. As such, the 7th Regiment funded the armory’s construction through donations and a bond issue. The Park Avenue Armory was expanded in the early 20th century. It occupies an entire city block. The building is composed of an administration building and a drill hall.
Inside the Park Avenue Armory you will see portraits of military leaders and memorabilia like trophies and medals. Stepping into the Park Avenue Armory feels like entering a grand old-fashioned mansion. The interiors were designed by leading artists of the American Aesthetic Movement. These included Louis Comfort Tiffany and Stanford White.
The Wade Thompson Drill Hall is the Park Avenue Armory’s most impressive feature. It measures 200 by 300 feet. It was one of the largest column-free indoor spaces in New York City when completed. The drill hall resembles a European train shed. The drill hall is a blank slate waiting to be transformed by artists.
The Park Avenue Armory fell into disrepair over time. By 2000 it was named one of the world’s 100 most endangered historic sites. Today the Park Avenue Armory has been revitalized. It now hosts art exhibitions and performances. The Park Avenue Armory Conservancy acquired a 99-year lease on the armory in 2006. The conservancy undertook a massive restoration project.
The Park Avenue Armory is committed to making art accessible to all. The Park Avenue Armory requires one free performance by all artists. Student interns work as ushers and set designers. The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Women’s Mental Health Shelter has been operating at the Park Avenue Armory since 1996. The Park Avenue Armory offers a glimpse into the Gilded Age. It also provides a stage for contemporary art. The Park Avenue Armory is a place where history and creativity collide. A true New York City landmark.