University Of Minnesota Armory
It is a contributing property in the University of Minnesota Old Campus Historic District, a historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Currently, it is used as the classrooms and office space of the University's three ROTC units, and offices for the University's program for High School students, with the gymnasium being available for campus activities.
Outside the Armory building, there is a nine foot tall statue of a soldier on a seven-ton, six-foot-high Vermont granite pedestal. It is called "Iron Mike" and a memorial plaque underneath reads: "erected in honor of the students of the University who served their country in the war with Spain, 1898-99.” Sculptor Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson designed the statue, which was commissioned and paid for by a committee that had originally been formed to send Christmas gifts to student soldiers in the 13th Minnesota Regiment, who were stationed in Manila. Professor Arthur E. Haynes, who chaired this committee, suggested doing something more than just sending gifts. He donated the first ten dollars and led the fundraising and process of designing the statue. It was unveiled in 1906.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 15, 2006.
- ^ "History and Philosophy of Reserver Officer Training." University of Minnesota ROTC Alumni Society. http://www.umnrotcalumnisociety.org/history.php Archived 2005-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hugunin, Marc; Stew Thornley (2006). Minnesota Hoops: Basketball in the North Star State (PDF). St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-87351-574-9.
- ^ Bencriscutto, Frank; Mike Gaffron (1992). Minnesota Hats Off to Thee. Taylor Publishing Company. p. 12. ISBN 0-9629747-0-6.
- ^ Hugunin and Thornley, pg. 50.
- ^ Bencriscutto and Gaffron, pg. 30-31.
- ^ "History." University of Minnesota Air Force ROTC. http://www.afrotc.umn.edu/History/Armory.htm
8. "The History of the Armory" https://arotc.umn.edu/history