The oldest of the standing armories in Rhode Island was built in 1835 and the newest in 1928. Brick and granite, wood and stone – these 18 armories have survived through times where lesser architecture would have failed – over half of the existing buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides their military missions to safely store arms and to provide homes for military units, Rhode Island’s armories have a close attachment to the state’s citizenry. From dances and meetings to circuses with Tom Thumb, voting, polio clinics, car shows, State Inauguration Balls – and home to the fast break in basketball, the armories have welcomed the people of Rhode Island.

Roberta Mudge Humble co-authored “The Historic Armories of Rhode Island” with Colonel (ret) Howard F. Brown, and is a professor of English at the Community College of Rhode Island.

In addition to this lecture, the first floor of the John Brown House Museum will be open to Gallery Night participants from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Visitors will be able to view the rooms on the first floor of this impressive home, and speak with guides about its history and inhabitants.

Free. Reservations requested for the lecture. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nathan Burbank at 401-331-8575 x 28 or nburbank@rihs.org