Higgins Armory, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, Worcester County, MA

Significance: Built of steel frame construction for the Worcester Pressed Steel Co. (J.W. Higgins, Pres.) its believed to have been the 1st building in the U.S. constructed entirely of steel & glass. While Higgins was developing interest in the manufacture of modern steel parts (the family business), he also became interested in the past arts in metal work, suits of armor in particular, which he began to collect. Once the collection outgrew its space Higgins hired architect, Joseph Leland to design a combination office & museum building. When it opened 1/12/31, the lower 2 floors were office & the upper 2 the armory museum.
Survey number: HABS MA-1236
Building/structure dates: 1930 Initial Construction