Design inspiration comes from many sources and we always keep an eye out for out-of-the-ordinary visuals when we travel. The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts is a treasure trove of centuries-old armory and state-of-the-art early 20th century design.
Industrialist and steel manufacturer John Woodman Higgins spent decades selecting, purchasing and preserving one of the largest private collections of armor and armament in the United States. He was fascinated by the properties of steel and its the history of its fabrication and implementation. The building and the collection were created to educate the public about the history of steel and to marvel at the 20th century advancements that his company devised.
In 1929 Mr. Higgins built one of the earliest steel and glass curtain wall buildings specifically to house the collection; an edifice remarkable in itself. Four stories tall, the exterior is art deco in style while the interior is Gothic castle specifically designed to showcase the armors and weapons. Higgins was interested in the contrast between the cutting edge use of steel in his building and his collection which demonstrated a time-line of advances in steel fabrication.
Post and photos by Tracy Datlen, after a first visit to the museum in May 2009.
Links: Higgins Armory Museum
Comments