Armory of the Kentish Guards
Encyclopedia
The Armory of the Kentish Guards is a historic armory
at Armory and Peirce Streets in East Greenwich, Rhode Island
and is currently home to the Kentish Guards, a historic state militia organization.
. The Greek Revival armory building was constructed in 1843 with a $1,000 public grant from the Rhode Island General Assembly
to the Kentish Guards for their aid in the Dorr Rebellion in 1842. In 1970 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
Armory (military)
An armory or armoury is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, issued to authorized users, or any combination of those...
at Armory and Peirce Streets in East Greenwich, Rhode Island
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
East Greenwich is a town in and the county seat of Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 13,146 at the 2010 census. East Greenwich is the wealthiest municipality within the state of Rhode Island....
and is currently home to the Kentish Guards, a historic state militia organization.
History
The Kentish Guards were founded in 1774 just prior to the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The Greek Revival armory building was constructed in 1843 with a $1,000 public grant from the Rhode Island General Assembly
Rhode Island General Assembly
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. A bicameral body, it is composed of the lower Rhode Island House of Representatives with 75 representatives, and the upper Rhode Island Senate with 38 senators...
to the Kentish Guards for their aid in the Dorr Rebellion in 1842. In 1970 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Collections
The Armory contains a gallery of pictures featuring former members of the Guard. The original charter hangs on the wall as a lasting reminder and a memorial to those men who organized the Kentish Guards in 1774.Visiting
The Kentish Guards Armory may be visited on Tuesdays, when the militia company meets, and Wednesdays, when the fife & drum rehearses, both around 8:00 pm (except during holiday periods) and by special appointment. Visit www.kentishguards.org for more information.Notable Kentish Guards
- James Mitchell VarnumJames Mitchell VarnumJames Mitchell Varnum was an American legislator, lawyer and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:James Mitchell Varnum was born in Dracut, Massachusetts...
, Colonel and First Commander of the Kentish Guards, general during American Revolution - Nathanael GreeneNathanael GreeneNathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
, private in the Kentish Guards (rank limited due to a limp and lack of formal education), Major General during American Revolution - Christopher GreeneChristopher GreeneChristopher Greene was a US legislator and soldier.-Home life:Christopher Greene was born 12 May 1737 at Occupessatuxet, a village of the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, to Judge Phillip Greene and Elizabeth Greene...
, legislator, soldier