Stevens Avenue Armory Explained

Stevens Avenue Armory
Location:772 Stevens Avenue, Portland, Maine, United States

The Stevens Avenue Armory (now known as Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall) is a historic former armory building on Stevens Avenue in Portland, Maine, United States. Built in 1908 as a utilitarian two-story brick barn for the Portland Railroad Company's electric trolleys, it was converted into its current Art Deco style in 1940 by local architect and World War I veteran John P. Thomas. Thomas also designed other nearby buildings, including Deering High School.[1] The armory was used by the Maine National Guard for training and recruitment purposes until 2015, when it was swapped for 29 acres of land along Route 1 in Saco that was owned by the University of New England (UNE). The building was valued at $3.1 million at the time of the swap.[2]

In 2022, UNE finished renovating and expanding the building and renamed it the Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hanson . Scott T. . Forest Avenue and Stevens Avenue Portland, Maine Historic Context . portlandmaine.gov.
  2. News: Harry . David . UNE, Maine Army Guard close land-for-Portland-armory deal . Bangor Daily News . 2015-06-23.
  3. Web site: Innovation Hall dedicated in honor of Arthur P. Girard . www.une.edu . en . 2 November 2022.