Westerly Armory
The Westerly Armory is a museum of local community and local military memorabilia. In addition, it is home to America's oldest active civic band, The Westerly Band. The Armory has a 6,000 sq ft drill hall that is rentable for events. Westerly Armory Restoration, Inc. is the organization that runs the building with a 100-year lease from the Town of Westerly who now owns the building (after buying it from the State of RI for $1 in 1996).
Events held at the Armory include quilt shows, antiques shows, fundraisers for community groups, dances, concerts, wrestling, boxing, weddings and receptions, and so much more. There are blood drives, as well, and ceremonies to honor such national events as Veterans' Day. The Armory counts on rentals of its drill hall to help with operational costs.
The building was originally created for use by the State (now National) Guard of Rhode Island and houses a number of military units including the 705th AAA Gun Battalion, the 243d Engineers, and the 169th Military Police Company. The military heritage in Westerly is the oldest in the State of Rhode Island.
Westerly is the southernmost, westernmost town in Rhode Island and is home to America's oldest community bank, America's oldest continuously operating carousel, gorgeous beaches on the ocean, and a sense of community.
The Westerly Armory is on a Save America's Treasures Site, on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Rhode Island winner of Hampton Hotels' Save-A-Landmark Competition.