The original building was designed by William Lightfoot Price and M H. McLanahan in 1908 as the Armory for Company H of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The 2 story structure is primarily constructed of stone and steel and has a basement. The "structure's intended military use is expressed by its heavily buttressed walls, broken battlements, and low flanking towers," according to a plaque affixed to the building by the Media Borough Council in 1984.[2] Company H served in Mexican Border Expedition, and re-designated as Company H, 111th Infantry, 28th Infantry Division, in France in World War I, and as Company M, in the South Pacific in World War II.
The entire building was renovated and restored in 2004. The upper level was converted to retail space and is currently occupied by the grocery store chain Trader Joe's.[3] Solar panels were added on the roof at that time.
Pennsylvania Veterans Museum
The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum opened in 2005 on Veterans Day in the basement level of the building.[4] Exhibits include dioramas of the D-Day invasion and the Korean War, a mini-movie theater, military uniforms, weapons, photographs and oral histories of veterans' experiences.
Armory in 2009
Trader Joe's entrance
Uniform of Lt. Henry Saultier on display at the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum. Lt. Saultier served from 1904-1914 in the 111th Infantry, 6th Regiment, Company H of the Pennsylvania National Guard, which trained in the armory.