About Us

"In 1993, Wade F. B. Thompson, a preservationist, philanthropist, and neighbor, formed the Conservancy for the Park Avenue Armory together with other concerned citizens under the umbrella of the Municipal Art Society. Their goal was to rescue the deteriorating Armory and open its doors to the public. In 1999, the Conservancy became an independent, non-profit organization.

Today, the Conservancy for the Park Avenue Armory’s mission remains the restoration and revitalization of the Park Avenue Armory, allowing full public access – for the first time in decades – to one of the most important collections of 19th century interiors in New York City. In addition to the building’s physical preservation and meticulous maintenance, the Conservancy is dedicated to re-establishing the Armory as a social and cultural epicenter within the community.

The Conservancy commenced a 99-year lease for the management of the Armory in November 2006, marking the start of a long-term program of renovations that begins with interim projects in 2007 (see 2007-2009 Projects). When the long-term project is complete, the Armory will open its doors to the public as a dynamic new center for arts and education. Programming will include visual and performing arts in the vast, 55,000 square foot Drill Hall; exhibitions related to the Armory’s military, social and decorative arts history in the Administrative Building; educational and social programs; and a continued tradition of art and antique shows.

As it works on its long-term goal of revitalizing the Armory and transforming it into a dynamic cultural and education center, in the near future the Conservancy will initiate a number of smaller capital and restoration projects, offer tours and information sessions about the building and its future, and continue the tradition of art and antique fairs.

The long-term project will take five years and cost approximately $150 million, of which $55 million has already been raised. The Conservancy will secure the balance of these funds from a combination of public and private sources.

Supporters

Since its inception, the Conservancy has been dedicated to working with the preservation community on this important restoration project. Board members include leaders of important civic groups on the Upper East Side, local residents, preservationists, philanthropists, veterans and military experts.

The Conservancy is supported by:

Municipal Art Society
The Landmarks Conservancy
The World Monuments Fund
The National Trust for Historic Preservation
Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
CIVITAS
American Express Historic Preservation Fund
The Achelis & Bodman Foundations

Major Milestones at the Armory

September 1874: City of New York leases full block between 66th and 67th Streets and Park and Lexington Avenues to the Seventh Regiment for the construction of an Armory
May 1881: Walter Damrosch conducts the New York Philharmonic for the inaugural performance at the Armory
1909-1911: Major renovation of Armory exterior, including raising of the third floor to a full story, the addition of the fourth floor, the removal of the central Park Avenue tower, the addition of the crenellations on all sides of the exterior wall, the bricking in of major windows and the insertion of the mezzanines
1912-1913: A balcony seating gallery is installed in the Drill Hall on all sides
1928-1929: Fifth floor addition is constructed for new gymnasium
1942: The state of New York assumes responsibility for upkeep of all armories in the state
Winter 1983: City shelter is installed in the Armory by Mayor Koch
1994: The Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy (now the Conservancy for the Park Avenue Armory) is formed under the umbrella of the Municipal Art Society to rescue the Armory and open it to the public
March 21, 1998: An editorial in the New York Times calls the Armory a “splendid crumble” and urges the Governor and the Mayor to take action to ensure that the building is restored and revitalized as a cultural center
September 14, 1999: World Monuments Fund lists the Armory on its 2000 list of the one hundred most endangered historic sites in the world. Headline reads: “Building in World’s Richest Neighborhood is Unlikely Addition to World Monuments Fund’s List of 100 Most Endangered Sites”
September 27, 1999: The Conservancy for the Park Avenue Armory is incorporated as an independent not-for-profit charitable organization
June 2000: On behalf of the State of New York, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) issues a Request for Proposals for the rehabilitation of the Armory to more than 300 organizations
September 9, 2001: The Conservancy is chosen to revitalize the Armory
September 2001: Armory becomes 9/11 National Guard Command Center
Spring 2002: Conservancy and State renew negotiations on Armory Lease
August 2004: State legislation is passed by the New York State Legislature facilitating the renovation and restoration of the Armory
May – November 2005: ESDC public review process, including a public hearing, is completed; ESDC approval of the Conservancy’s General Project Plan is granted in November 2005
December 1, 2005: Governor Pataki announces $30 million state grant to the Conservancy for the restoration of the Armory
November 14, 2006: 99-year lease between the State of New York and the Seventh Regiment Armory Conservancy begins