Memories From the Armory
Members of the Winchester and surrounding communities have stepped up with stories about the role of the Armory Building in their lives, memories and histories.
With memories and photos, community members tell the story of the HIVE and create a continuum that links this historic building’s past and present to its future.
Pictured in the Winchester Star in March 1958, the caption reads:
CHAMPION LITTLE LEAGUERS
Led by high scoring Jim Wilkins (14 points); Dick LaFoliette (10) and Floyd Leighton (8), these Hawks captured the Little League playoffs last night at the National Guard Armory. Victims of the 32-9 defeat were the Pistons, led by David Kerns and Bobby Pryor. From left to right, the champs and Recreation Department officials are: Les Singhass, assistant director, LaFolletts, Leighton, Wilkins, Harold Bowen, Terry Braithwaite, Wayne Dick, Petey Whitlock, manager, and Jim Barnett, director.”
Do you have Armory memories to share?
In 1966, I joined the Army as a Lt. platoon leader in the 101st Airborne as a Airborne Ranger Pathfinder. I arrived 8 days after the Tet Offensive started. I had extensive and violent close quarter combat. That was 1968. My second tour was with SOG Special Forces. I left the Army as a Captain and went back to college to get my Masters Degree. Since my retirement, I work with veterans to help them with all their many problems.
– All the best to you, Captain Warren William “Jonesy” Tafford-Jones, US Army Retired ’63 GO HORNETS.
Ingavo, Kenney, McPeak prior to Afghanistan deployment in 2004
Myself, Ian Kenney, and Joe McPeak in the armory prior to deploying to combat tour Afghanistan in 2004. 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment , 29th Infantry Division, Recon Platoon. Ian and I were both attending SU when we received our deployment orders.”
– Rick Ingavo
My father, Sgt Edmond L. Doerflein, was stationed at the Armory as an Army advisor to the National Guard from April 1952-October 1952. Following a tour in Korea and time serving at the armory in Lynchburg, VA, he returned to Winchester in 1955, where he remained until 1960. During his deployment to Winchester, my father served under (Major or Colonel) Van T Barfoot, a Congressional Medal recipient. (I can’t remember his rank then) I think Barfoot’s story should be included in this project. When we lived there, the Armory was at the outer limit of the City, so it was a prominent feature in the landscape.”
– Phyllis Morefield
The Armory was a solid fixture for Winchester and me for many years. Throughout the 1960s we played little league basketball there every Saturday morning. There were gun and coin shows. In the early 1980s, the Top of Va. Builders Association held our annual home show there. Often the Apple Club held dances. As the old parkay floor started to deteriorate, had to be a little careful dancing! Fond memories.”
– Steve Slaughter, Sr.
My most memorable event at the Armory was when a Black Hawk Helicopter made a fantastic landing out front! The helicopter was on display for visitors and my son and I went inside! He (Daniel) was one at the time so I think I had more fun! Picture taken 4/12/2003 Andrea Nock Wright and Daniel Jaquis .”
– Andrea Wright
In 1959 I played Basketball junior varsity for John Handley High School. On most Saturdays at 6:00 am I went to the Armory to practice on the basketball court. The man in charge of the Armory was normally there and very nice to let me in and turn on the lights. Those were special times in my life with great memories. I went on to play my senior year where we were undefeated in the district. We only lost one game. We went to regions and lost to James Wood but the coach did not play me. That’s another story. This building was a very important part of my life. Thanks for honoring this building. It is SPECIAL TO WINCHESTER.
– Ronald Boyd
During the early 1950’s, I joined a group of teenage boys In a NRA rifle club, led by a Mr. Seabright, shooting targets at the National Guard Armory. The rifle range was downstairs on the east side of the building and the shooting distance was 50 ft. We would practice once per week and would compete against other out of the area NRA teams. The Armory would also host paid basketball games between our local team – The Bell Clothes All Stars and the Washington Redskins. These games were played in February when it was off-season for the Redskins. The time frame was in the late 1940’s and the early to mid 1950’s. During this time frame a professional football player made very little money and by playing local city teams they could make a little extra spending money.”
– Irvin Shendow
I performed there many times with some of my rock bands. This is an ad that was in the Winchester Star for my band “Fly”. This would have been around 1973.”
– Phil Zuckerman
My father, Dr. Carrington Harrison, belonged to a group of 20 or so men in the community who played volleyball on the basketball court back in the 50’s. It was scheduled on Wednesday evenings during the winter months when some of the men couldn’t play tennis. I think Soupy Hillyard was a member of the group, and George Snarr. They also encouraged Shenandoah college basketball players to play, as a means to improve timing and leg strength in their jumping skills. I also remember playing basketball there as a youngster in a youth basketball league. Our games were on Saturday mornings. We had a number of teams. which were sponsored. I remember my team was sponsored by Coca-Cola which provided our jerseys. I am sure the Coke plant manager Henry Lowery would have been involved with that.”
-Hartwell Harrison
While I was building and moving to the Winchester area circa 1974,I somehow found that the local Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club held its hamfests in the Armory. I was so glad to find fellow hams here and the large interior of the Armory was ideal for an indoor hamfest. I Think they had been having them there for many years, possibly since the club was founded in 1948. Friendly faces, radio buzz, lots of familiar old radio equipment was there on tables around the big hall. At that time there was a lot of war surplus equipment being sold and used. Mike Rutkaus, K4QET Chestnut Grove Church.”
– Mike Rutkaus
As a youth growing up in Winchester (I am 59 years old now), the Armory was the host location for Little League Basketball games. The court was almost a big as the gym room that held it so the teams and spectators had to practically line up against the walls. Fond memories, but unfortunately I have no pictures.”
– Dave Daylor
We moved to Winchester in the Fall of 1963. For some time, my husband would go to the Armory at lunchtime for a pickup game of basketball. Bob Fletcher, coordinator for Winchester Parks and Rec seemed to be in charge. James L. Longerbeam was assigned duty there either by the U. S. Army or the Virginia National Guard. He had an office on the second floor. After the game, husband would shower and go back to work. They didn’t provide a towel. As our boys grew older, they played basketball in Parks and Rec’s program. Mr. Jerry Hogbin would referee.
The Boy Scouts of America held their annual Flea Market there (not sure it was called Flea but it was their annual sale.) There were Apple Blossom dances.
We are elderly — upper 80’s, but have enjoyed what the Armory has offered to our family. We’ll be looking forward to your review of what it has meant to Winchester.”
– Anne Olinger
When my husband, Roger, and I were students at Shenandoah Conservatory from 1966-1970, we trekked across the then very small campus to the armory for phys ed class.
– Anne Olinger