In one of my earlier collaborations with real estate broker Michael Franklin, I conducted the HABS/HAER photography of the former National Guard Armory in Amsterdam, NY. Built in 1895, this imposing Gothic Revival building was decommissioned in 1994 and sold into private hands. By 2012, it was a private house and occasional bed and breakfast, and my colleague had a contract to sell the property. Mike then engaged me to take a series of large-format black and photos of the interior and exterior, and to prepare a brief historical and architectural narrative, for use on his broker’s website.
Amsterdam is a small city in the heart of the Mohawk River Valley of New York. Located on the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal, the community was established in 1830, and soon emerged as an important regional commerce and manufacturing center. As a variety of European immigrants arrived throughout the Mohawk River Valley as the region became more industrialized in the late 19th century, concerns over labor unrest and foreigners spurred the State of New York to begin constructing these National Guard armories as a sing of protection. The Amsterdam Armory was built in 1895 according to the designs of New York State Architect Isaac G. Perry