Naval Reserve Armory, Seattle, Washington
historic place
The Naval Reserve Armory, a historic place in Seattle's King County, is a prominent concrete building. It was constructed between 1941 and 1942 by the Works Progress Administration, showcasing Moderne and Art Deco architectural styles. The armory was officially dedicated on July 4, 1942. Designed by Seattle architects William R. Grant and B. Marcus Priteca, this facility played a crucial role as an Advanced Naval Training School during World War II. Its expansive 133 by 100-foot drill hall was instrumental in training thousands of young recruits for wartime service. The building's construction cost approximately $500,000. After the war, the armory was decommissioned and later disestablished by the U.S. Navy in 1998. It gained recognition by being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Following a major renovation, the building found a new purpose, becoming the home of Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, MOHAI, in 2012. Located in Lake Union Park, the Naval Reserve Armory reflects Seattle's significant contributions to national defense and Depression-era public works projects.