The Concord Armory is an historic former armory at 51 Walden Street in Concord, Massachusetts. It now serves as the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden, which is operated by the Friends of Performing Arts in Concord (FOPAC). Resident groups include The Concord Players, The Concord Band, and The Concord Orchestra. The armory was built in 1887 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007,[1] as a rare well-preserved example of a wood-frame municipal armory.[2]
The armory was built in several stages, between 1887 and 1927. The front portion, or headhouse, was built in 1887, and the drill shed added in 1888. In 1896 the drill shed was lengthened. When the building was converted for use by veterans organizations and the Concord Players in the 1920s, the area housing the stage was added, to a design drawn up by the noted theater architect Clarence Blackall. In 1927 the stage area was extended to the rear to provide additional space for scenery. The building interior was extensively altered in the 1970s when FOPAC took over the property.[2]
The lower level of the head house now serves as a lobby area, which also extends into the former drill shed; its upper level serves as a dance studio. The drill shed has been converted into a theatrical auditorium, with its original ceiling trusses exposed, and acoustic treatments on the walls. The basement houses storage space and dressing rooms.[2]
Historical uses of the building during the 20th century include the screening of films by the Red Cross in the 1920s, and for annual town meetings between 1933 and 1946. It was also used to house town offices, and to provide space for a youth center. Due to its deteriorating condition, the building was several times considered for demolition in the 1950s and 1960s, but public outcry was successful in preventing that fate. FOPAC was formed in 1972 to convert the building into a dedicated performing arts space.[2]
^ abcd"NRHP nomination for Concord Armory". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
External linksEdit
Media related to Concord Armory at Wikimedia Commons
Friends of Performing Arts in Concord
September 01, 2023
concord, armory, historic, former, armory, walden, street, concord, massachusetts, serves, performing, arts, center, walden, which, operated, friends, performing, arts, concord, fopac, resident, groups, include, concord, players, concord, band, concord, orches. The Concord Armory is an historic former armory at 51 Walden Street in Concord Massachusetts It now serves as the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden which is operated by the Friends of Performing Arts in Concord FOPAC Resident groups include The Concord Players The Concord Band and The Concord Orchestra The armory was built in 1887 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 1 as a rare well preserved example of a wood frame municipal armory 2 Concord ArmoryU S National Register of Historic PlacesHistoric Concord Armory now the Performing Arts Center at 51 WaldenShow map of MassachusettsShow map of the United StatesLocationConcord MassachusettsCoordinates42 27 32 N 71 20 58 W 42 45889 N 71 34944 W 42 45889 71 34944Arealess than one acreBuilt1887ArchitectChapman John Blackwell Clarence Little HarryArchitectural styleQueen AnneNRHP reference No 07000945 1 Added to NRHPSeptember 12 2007The armory was built in several stages between 1887 and 1927 The front portion or headhouse was built in 1887 and the drill shed added in 1888 In 1896 the drill shed was lengthened When the building was converted for use by veterans organizations and the Concord Players in the 1920s the area housing the stage was added to a design drawn up by the noted theater architect Clarence Blackall In 1927 the stage area was extended to the rear to provide additional space for scenery The building interior was extensively altered in the 1970s when FOPAC took over the property 2 The lower level of the head house now serves as a lobby area which also extends into the former drill shed its upper level serves as a dance studio The drill shed has been converted into a theatrical auditorium with its original ceiling trusses exposed and acoustic treatments on the walls The basement houses storage space and dressing rooms 2 Historical uses of the building during the 20th century include the screening of films by the Red Cross in the 1920s and for annual town meetings between 1933 and 1946 It was also used to house town offices and to provide space for a youth center Due to its deteriorating condition the building was several times considered for demolition in the 1950s and 1960s but public outcry was successful in preventing that fate FOPAC was formed in 1972 to convert the building into a dedicated performing arts space 2 See also EditNational Register of Historic Places listings in Concord MassachusettsReferences Edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service April 15 2008 a b c d NRHP nomination for Concord Armory Commonwealth of Massachusetts Retrieved 2015 05 20 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Concord Armory at Wikimedia Commons Friends of Performing Arts in Concord Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Concord Armory amp oldid 1151191530, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
