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Architectural drawings of state arsenal in New York City

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Overview of the Records

Administrative History

Chapter 270 of the Laws of 1846 provided for the enrollment of the militia and formation of eight military division districts in the state, by population. The law also authorized a suitable armory or place of deposit for the safekeeping of arms and camp equipment within the bounds of each military regiment. The place for an armory was approved by the commanding officer of each brigade, and the commissary general directed the "size and finishing" of the armory for a cost not to exceed $300 each (to be paid by the state) on land ceded to the state. Each armory was under the commanding officer of the regiment in that district, who appointed a person to take charge of the armory.

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of four sheets of ink drawings, with few pencil annotations, of floor plans and sections for an unnamed New York State Arsenal, presumably in New York City. Provenance is unclear, but Henry Storms was commissary general from 1842-1848, and armory construction would be under his jurisdiction according to law. Notes on one of the sheets appear to confirm the project ("as approved July 24, 1847") and indicate either an architect ("by C. Pollard, NY") and possible location (("No. 14 Pine St. NY")-- or, perhaps, the official who approved the project.

Sheets measure approximately 29 inches by 21 inches. They show the first, second and third story plans (1/8 scale); the basement plan; the basement plan and rear elevation; and longitudinal and transverse sections of the proposed arsenal.

A3243-05: This accretion consists of an architect watercolor design or plan for a State arsenal. Caption information indicates that the plan was submitted to the Legislature of New York in 1841 by Adoniram Chandler, Commissary General, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature. Martin E. Thompson is indicated to have been the architect.

Custodial History

A3243-05:Exact provenance is unknown. This accession resulted from a project by State Archives staff in 2005 to identify, describe, and accession previously unidentified series.

Access Restrictions

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