Grays Armory is a historic building in Cleveland, Ohio. It was built by the Cleveland Grays, a private military company which was founded in 1837.[2] This is one of the oldest standing buildings in downtown Cleveland located at 1234 Bolivar Rd.
The Cleveland Grays is a social organization devoted to the promotion of patriotism and the preservation of the military heritage of Greater Cleveland.[2] It was founded as a volunteer private military company at a time when the common or constitutional militia[3] languished due to uninterest and neglect by state politicians.[4]
The unit's original purpose was twofold: to provide assistance and support to the local law enforcement authorities of the time as well as to provide a first line of defense for the city in the event that the fighting in Canada's Rebellions of 1837 spilled over the border and into the United States resulting in a third war with the United Kingdom in less than a century.[5] The unit's motto is Semper Paratus (from the Latin: "Always Ready").[2]
The first organizational meeting was held on August 28, 1837, and on September 18, seventy-eight men joined the active company. At the time of its founding, the unit was called The Cleveland City Guards but within the next year the membership decided that their organization would be known by reference to the gray color of their uniforms.[6] On November 29, 1838 the Grays made one of the first of their many parade appearances fully dressed in their distinctive gray uniforms and tall black bearskin caps. As the years passed, those who had earned the status of "Pioneer" for their membership of twenty-five or more years were entitled to add leather aprons to their uniforms and to carry axes when on parade.[7]
The Grays saw military service as a unit during the Civil War and the Spanish–American War.[2] Reforms of the country's militia system which began with the Militia Act of 1903 and continued with subsequent legislation at the state and federal levels meant that the era of private military companies' official participation in national military affairs had come to an end and while the Grays, under the leadership of Ludwig S. Connelly, were able to enlist in the Ohio National Guard (ONG) for duty during the Mexican Punitive Expedition, they essentially did so as a group of private citizens enlisting en masse and not as a private military company. Their participation in World War I, which began immediately upon their ONG unit's release from duty on the Mexican border, was the last conflict in which the Grays saw active service even as a group of enlistees.[8] Individual members have served in subsequent conflicts.[2]
Building
The Grays made their home in several different places from the time of their founding until the completion of their own building on Bolivar Road. The Grays' first armory was located on the fourth floor of the Mechanics Block, newly erected in 1838 at the southeast corner of Ontario Street and Prospect Street.[9] In 1870, they moved into a building which had once served as a fire station on Frankfort Street.[10] By March 20, 1880 the Grays had moved into the new City Armory on Long Street[11] and used that facility as its headquarters along with the 5th Regiment, Ohio National Guard until December 8, 1892 when fire destroyed the building and much of its contents including equipment and guns belonging to the Grays. Major Otto Schade and several of his men were able to save a few items without any cost to their health or their lives. The unit was able to recover very quickly and funds were soon amassed for the purpose of building a new armory. Until construction was completed in 1893, the company found a temporary home at the Gatling Gun Battery Armory on Sibley Street.[12]
After the fire
The armory's entrance
On May 30, 1893, a three-ton Berea sandstone foundation block was put in place by Colonel John Frazee. The main portion of the building is four stories high, and the most notable feature is the five-story tower on the northeast corner of the building. The tower has '3 x 5' foundation blocks, the main entrance corners and the front window lintels are all of solid rough-hewn sandstone. The main entry arch rests on top of polished granite columns that rise from each cornerstone. Positioned above is a black iron drop-gate, and a gothic barrier between the front steps and the colossal oak doors. There were also pointed iron rods bolted to the scarlet brick walls that make up the window protectors on the first floor. The effect is a splendid mix of color and texture in materials. The overall design effectively conveys that this is an urban fortress.
The Cleveland Grays Armory has been long known for hosting the city's premier social events. Grays Armory earned repute as an exclusive venue right from the beginning during the celebrations for Cleveland's Centennial (1896). The Grays Armory events went way beyond the customary military balls and band concerts typical during that era. This building was originally built to house weapons and provides a drill hall for the militia; this edifice quickly evolved into a vital community center for the turn-of-the-century Clevelanders.
Cleveland Grays Armory Museum
The Grays Armory Museum seeks to share its historical and cultural legacy with the public. Beyond stewardship of the building and conservation of artifacts, the museum strives to preserve the traditions and the rich heritage of those who serve their country and their community. The museum actively fulfills this objective by preserving, interpreting and presenting the military history of the United States. The museum regularly reaches out to Greater Cleveland by sponsoring open-house events intended to reach diverse audiences. Each Veterans Day, the museum presents a cultural and educational program honoring those who serve. In the past, programs that have included patriotic orchestra concerts and special touring exhibits. The Grays Armory can also be rented for special events such as private parties, weddings, receptions, and even proms.[13]
Organ
In July, 1970 the 3 manual 17 rank pipe organ was installed. The organ originates from the Warner Theater in Erie, Pennsylvania. Three or four concerts per year are given on this organ, sponsored by the Western Reserve Theater Organ Society.[14][15]
^ abcdeCleveland Grays, Cleveland Grays - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
^"United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8". The United States Constitution. The United States National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
^Vourlojianis, George N. (2002). The Cleveland Grays: An Urban Military Company, 1837-1919. Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press. pp. 1–2. ISBN0-87338-678-7.
^Mullins, Edward J. (January 1985). "Personalities". Theatre Organ. 27 (1): 27. ISSN 0040-5531.
^"The Grays Armory WurliTzer: Cleveland, Ohio". Theatre Organ Home Page.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grays Armory.
Official website
March 31, 2023
grays, armory, historic, building, cleveland, ohio, built, cleveland, grays, private, military, company, which, founded, 1837, this, oldest, standing, buildings, downtown, cleveland, located, 1234, bolivar, cleveland, museumu, national, register, historic, pla. Grays Armory is a historic building in Cleveland Ohio It was built by the Cleveland Grays a private military company which was founded in 1837 2 This is one of the oldest standing buildings in downtown Cleveland located at 1234 Bolivar Rd Cleveland Grays Armory MuseumU S National Register of Historic PlacesGrays ArmoryShow map of ClevelandShow map of OhioShow map of the United StatesLocation1234 Bolivar Rd Cleveland OhioCoordinates41 29 56 N 81 40 56 W 41 49889 N 81 68222 W 41 49889 81 68222 Coordinates 41 29 56 N 81 40 56 W 41 49889 N 81 68222 W 41 49889 81 68222Area0 5 acres 0 20 ha Built1894ArchitectBate Fenimore C Architectural styleRomanesque Richardsonian RomanesqueNRHP reference No 73001409 1 Added to NRHPMarch 28 1973 Contents 1 The Cleveland Grays 2 Building 2 1 After the fire 3 Cleveland Grays Armory Museum 4 Organ 5 References 6 External linksThe Cleveland Grays EditThe Cleveland Grays is a social organization devoted to the promotion of patriotism and the preservation of the military heritage of Greater Cleveland 2 It was founded as a volunteer private military company at a time when the common or constitutional militia 3 languished due to uninterest and neglect by state politicians 4 The unit s original purpose was twofold to provide assistance and support to the local law enforcement authorities of the time as well as to provide a first line of defense for the city in the event that the fighting in Canada s Rebellions of 1837 spilled over the border and into the United States resulting in a third war with the United Kingdom in less than a century 5 The unit s motto is Semper Paratus from the Latin Always Ready 2 The first organizational meeting was held on August 28 1837 and on September 18 seventy eight men joined the active company At the time of its founding the unit was called The Cleveland City Guards but within the next year the membership decided that their organization would be known by reference to the gray color of their uniforms 6 On November 29 1838 the Grays made one of the first of their many parade appearances fully dressed in their distinctive gray uniforms and tall black bearskin caps As the years passed those who had earned the status of Pioneer for their membership of twenty five or more years were entitled to add leather aprons to their uniforms and to carry axes when on parade 7 The Grays saw military service as a unit during the Civil War and the Spanish American War 2 Reforms of the country s militia system which began with the Militia Act of 1903 and continued with subsequent legislation at the state and federal levels meant that the era of private military companies official participation in national military affairs had come to an end and while the Grays under the leadership of Ludwig S Connelly were able to enlist in the Ohio National Guard ONG for duty during the Mexican Punitive Expedition they essentially did so as a group of private citizens enlisting en masse and not as a private military company Their participation in World War I which began immediately upon their ONG unit s release from duty on the Mexican border was the last conflict in which the Grays saw active service even as a group of enlistees 8 Individual members have served in subsequent conflicts 2 Building EditThe Grays made their home in several different places from the time of their founding until the completion of their own building on Bolivar Road The Grays first armory was located on the fourth floor of the Mechanics Block newly erected in 1838 at the southeast corner of Ontario Street and Prospect Street 9 In 1870 they moved into a building which had once served as a fire station on Frankfort Street 10 By March 20 1880 the Grays had moved into the new City Armory on Long Street 11 and used that facility as its headquarters along with the 5th Regiment Ohio National Guard until December 8 1892 when fire destroyed the building and much of its contents including equipment and guns belonging to the Grays Major Otto Schade and several of his men were able to save a few items without any cost to their health or their lives The unit was able to recover very quickly and funds were soon amassed for the purpose of building a new armory Until construction was completed in 1893 the company found a temporary home at the Gatling Gun Battery Armory on Sibley Street 12 After the fire Edit The armory s entrance On May 30 1893 a three ton Berea sandstone foundation block was put in place by Colonel John Frazee The main portion of the building is four stories high and the most notable feature is the five story tower on the northeast corner of the building The tower has 3 x 5 foundation blocks the main entrance corners and the front window lintels are all of solid rough hewn sandstone The main entry arch rests on top of polished granite columns that rise from each cornerstone Positioned above is a black iron drop gate and a gothic barrier between the front steps and the colossal oak doors There were also pointed iron rods bolted to the scarlet brick walls that make up the window protectors on the first floor The effect is a splendid mix of color and texture in materials The overall design effectively conveys that this is an urban fortress The Cleveland Grays Armory has been long known for hosting the city s premier social events Grays Armory earned repute as an exclusive venue right from the beginning during the celebrations for Cleveland s Centennial 1896 The Grays Armory events went way beyond the customary military balls and band concerts typical during that era This building was originally built to house weapons and provides a drill hall for the militia this edifice quickly evolved into a vital community center for the turn of the century Clevelanders Cleveland Grays Armory Museum EditThe Grays Armory Museum seeks to share its historical and cultural legacy with the public Beyond stewardship of the building and conservation of artifacts the museum strives to preserve the traditions and the rich heritage of those who serve their country and their community The museum actively fulfills this objective by preserving interpreting and presenting the military history of the United States The museum regularly reaches out to Greater Cleveland by sponsoring open house events intended to reach diverse audiences Each Veterans Day the museum presents a cultural and educational program honoring those who serve In the past programs that have included patriotic orchestra concerts and special touring exhibits The Grays Armory can also be rented for special events such as private parties weddings receptions and even proms 13 Organ EditIn July 1970 the 3 manual 17 rank pipe organ was installed The organ originates from the Warner Theater in Erie Pennsylvania Three or four concerts per year are given on this organ sponsored by the Western Reserve Theater Organ Society 14 15 References Edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 a b c d e Cleveland Grays Cleveland Grays The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History United States Constitution Article I Section 8 The United States Constitution The United States National Archives and Records Administration Retrieved 17 August 2012 Vourlojianis George N 2002 The Cleveland Grays An Urban Military Company 1837 1919 Kent Ohio The Kent State University Press pp 1 2 ISBN 0 87338 678 7 Vourlojianis 2002 p 14 Vourlojianis 2002 pp 7 11 Rose William Ganson 1990 Cleveland The Making Of A City Kent Ohio The Kent State University Press p 165 ISBN 0 87338 428 8 LCCN 90 4853 Vourlojianis 2002 pp 91 115 Rose 1990 pp 154 165 Rose 1990 p 174 Rose 1990 p 439 Rose 1990 p 540 https www graysarmory org a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Missing or empty title help CS1 maint url status link Mullins Edward J January 1985 Personalities Theatre Organ 27 1 27 ISSN 0040 5531 The Grays Armory WurliTzer Cleveland Ohio Theatre Organ Home Page External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grays Armory Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grays Armory amp oldid 1141013828, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
