Grays Armory

Grays Armory at 1234 Bolivar Road in downtown Cleveland. The Grays were founded on February 22, 1837 and are the longest operating volunteer militia in Ohio. When President Lincoln called for volunteers in the War of Rebellion in April 1861 the Grays were the first in Ohio to answer the call, making up a large part of the 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the museum downstairs the old "Secesh Cannon" captured from the rebs is on display. Later they almost served in the war with Spain, but the war ended before they saw action. They Grays were also a large part of the 3rd OVI in the First World War. In recent decades, the Grays became more of a social club made up of veterans. The Armory itself was constructed in 1893 and housed many various events over the years, including the first Cleveland Orchestra concert in 1917.

There will be an open house tomorrow, from Noon to 4 PM to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the armory.