HUDSON – The Hudson Armory has opened its doors for the first time in decades.
On Nov. 8, the Hudson Cultural Alliance hosted a live stream sneak peek of the first floor of the Armory. The event included a $50,000 check presentation from Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and state Rep. Kate Hogan (D-Stow).
“This is just such a perfect way to start celebrating Veterans Day in Hudson…And, of course the Hudson Armory has such history that speaks to the veterans, their sacrifices and all they have done to keep our country free and to protect the values that we cherish so dearly,” Eldridge said.
He added that though the building will be transformed into a performing arts center, he said he believes the history and spirit of the Armory will remain.
Hogan said the town is “beginning a journey” of the Armory becoming a site that residents will be able to use. She noted that it had previously housed many veterans “coming and going” to wars.
“I take this time to thank all of our veterans for their service,” she said.
Hudson acquires Armory
A historic National Guard Armory, the Hudson Armory has been closed to the public for decades. After the National Guard moved out, the building was used by police and fire.
The Hudson Cultural Alliance wants to transform it into a performing arts center to promote local arts initiatives, support economic growth and preserve the history of the Armory.
Thanks to the Hudson community and help from Eldridge and Hogan, the town acquired the building and signed a lease with the Hudson Cultural Alliance.
Hudson leased the building to the alliance at the end of August. However, the building is not yet available to host residents in person due to “required safety renovations,” according to a press release.
A tour of the first floor
President of the Hudson Cultural Alliance Tom Desmond led Eldridge and Hogan through the first floor of the Armory.
Among the rooms Eldridge and Hogan explored on the first floor were the lobby and a large auditorium where the soldiers held their meetings.
The lobby includes massive shoulder patches painted on the walls and a staircase decorated with army values, including “duty,” “respect” and “loyalty.”
“Those became the watchword[s] for the American soldier. It’s something that is ingrained from the day you first are recruited to the day you finally retire,” Desmond said.
He said the soldiers who stayed at the Hudson Armory were activated for state and federal operations. For example, these soldiers were activated for the 1953 tornado and for the chase to catch Pancho Villa, who was a general in the Mexican Revolution.
He then led Eldridge and Hogan into a large auditorium with teal walls that he called “the drill shed” because the soldiers performed drills there.
“You can see the scale of this room. It’s a full-sized basketball court. You could do a lot of things in here,” Desmond said.
In the Rail Trail Flatbread Co. there is a black-and-white photo of “several hundred” soldiers being served dinner inside of the auditorium, he said.
“So, the history of this building goes way back and our intent is to maintain as much of that as we can,” Desmond said.
For more information on the project, visit https://www.hudsonarmoryproject.org/.
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