- City:
- Salem, MA
- Site Type:
- Military and Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, Lodges, Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, Armories
- New Deal Agencies:
- Works Progress Administration (WPA), Work Relief Programs
Description
Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers dramatically improved the old Salem Armory, now National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, in Salem, Mass. WPA Bulletin:
WPA workers are changing the Salem armory from a drab, neglected structure to a modern, well-kept building.
A lighting system comparable with that of the Boston Garden has been installed. The building has been painted and the obsolete, dust-covered gas fixtures have been removed.
A ramp will be constructed to allow motorized equipment to enter the building. There will also be a new roof on the boiler house, showers on the second floor and modernization of the lavatories.
A DoD Historic Assessment cited the following W.P.A. projects conducted at the armory:
- “Relay floor, paint, and install gas ranges”
Official Project Number: 165‐14‐2503
Total project cost: $22,851.00
Sponsor: Adjutant General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts - “Paint drill shed”
Official Project Number: 65‐14‐6038 - “Make general repairs and improvements to Armory”
Official Project Number: XX5‐14‐2123
Total project cost: $2,275.00
Sponsor: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Adjutant General’s Office
Source notes
Works Progress Bulletin, Massachusetts: Sept. 21, 1936 (pg. 3).
Works Progress Bulletin, Massachusetts: Dec. 2, 1936 (pg. 4).
https://archive.org/details/worksprogressbul3637unit
Nationwide Context, Inventory, and Heritage Assessment of Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps Resources on Department of Defense Installations, July 2009 (page C-65).
Site originally submitted by Evan Kalish on January 15, 2017.
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