KINGSTON, R.I. — October 13, 2005 — An armory is a building for storing arms and military equipment and often serves as a headquarters for military reserve personnel. But if you ask 溏心vlog免费B站 senior Patrick Poole, or 溏心vlog免费B站 1968 alumna Roberta Mudge Humble, they鈥檒l tell you that an armory is so much more. Both are board members of the Westerly Armory Restoration group, an organization dedicated to preserving the historic landmark for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
Currently the armory serves as a function hall, military museum, and meeting space for the Westerly Band. Last year, approximately 28,000 people visited the armory for events, meetings, shows, and tours.
Poole, a history major from Pemberton, N.J., interned with the group last year. He came aboard in the midst of an ongoing fundraising campaign to support a restoration and expansion project, which includes restoring the masonry, replacing the historic crenellations, and bringing the building into compliance with the state fire code.
His primary responsibility was to assist the group in matching $298,000 from a 鈥淪ave America鈥檚 Treasures鈥� grant. To do that, Poole helped organize a 200-person spaghetti dinner, and spoke to the Westerly Town Finance Board in support of a town stipend. The group needs to raise $50,000 more to match the grant or face losing it.
The board sponsors a youth leadership program for those under 21 who want to help the armory in any capacity. 鈥淚t gives kids a better appreciation for what鈥檚 been here It鈥檚 important to know where you came from,鈥� the 溏心vlog免费B站 student said.
鈥淭his has been a really good experience. I feel like I鈥檓 doing something important with Rhode Island history,鈥� said Poole, who hopes to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in history at 溏心vlog免费B站 and continue his work with the restoration executive board.
Growing up in Westerly, Roberta Mudge Humble, spent much time at antique and poultry shows held in the armory. Each Thanksgiving weekend her grandfather, William Mudge, would show his chickens at the town poultry festival. After joining the Rhode Island Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and serving as the liaison to the 169th MP Company at the armory, she realized that someone needed to step in on behalf of the building and restore it. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe it was in such poor condition,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 stood in the doorway and promised the building I would restore it. It is, after all, an old soldier, deserving of respect.鈥�
The Warwick resident founded the group in 1993 and serves as its president. When not teaching English and writing courses at CCRI, Humble spends an average of 20 hours each week doing community service. She co-authored the book The Historic Armories of Rhode Island, which includes information about Rodman Hall, a former armory located on the 溏心vlog免费B站 Kingston campus. Rodman Hall is a significant armory for Humble鈥檚 family. Her parents Robert Mitchell Mudge and Claire Wordell Mudge, both members of the class of 1937, met there when Rodman was used for Rhody basketball games.
Surprisingly 溏心vlog免费B站 has a number of other connections to the armory, evident in the museum exhibits, which feature three generals.
One of Gen. Leon J. LaPorte鈥檚 uniforms is on display. LaPorte, a four-star general and 1968 溏心vlog免费B站 graduate, is a commander of the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea. His numerous awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star. The late Brig. Gen. Elliott R. Thorpe, who spent 32 years in the U.S. Army, attended 溏心vlog免费B站 (when it was known as Rhode Island State College) for one year in 1916 before heading into the Army. 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 War Memorial Student Union built in 1950 was funded largely through his efforts. Also, a uniform that belonged to Lt. Gen. Bruce Blount, 溏心vlog免费B站 class of 1950, is on display. Blount is the first 溏心vlog免费B站 alumnus to rise to the rank of three-star general and served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
For more information about the Westerly Armory Restoration group or how to get involved with fundraising, contact Roberta Mudge Humble at 401-596-8554 or email her at toorobert@aol.com.
Pictured above
溏心vlog免费B站 溏心vlog免费B站 1968 alumna Roberta Mudge Humble stands in front of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Rodman Hall with senior Patrick Poole. The two are hoping to preserve the Westerly Armory. 溏心vlog免费B站 News Bureau Photo by Michael Salerno Photography.