File:FIRST FLOOR, STAGE, LOOKING WEST - New York State Arsenal, 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester, Monroe County, NY HABS NY,28-ROCH,40-8.tif

• Significance: From 1868-1907, the facility served as the home of the New York State Militia, the citizen soldiers of the 54th regiment. The regiment used the building as their drill hall, headquarters and arms storage depots.

In 1907, the city of Rochester converted the Arsenal into a Convention Hall, and until 1936 it served as the site for all major civic, charitable and cultural events occurring in the city. Political activities, public education forums and trade union organization efforts also took place at the Convention Hall. It was because of these events that this building was declared eligible for the National Register. The 4,000 seat hall was large enough to support world famous musicians as well, and paved the way for the Rochester Orchestra and the Eastman School of Music. Without the Convention Hall, it is questionable whether those institutions could have flourished. While the music affiliation may have had the most significant long lasting impact, the most notoriety stemmed from the building's association with New York State politics. Two state conventions were held here along with numerous speeches from politicians, the most noteworthy of which was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who is to have said that he received his "political initiation" at the 1910 State Democratic Convention. He came back 18 years later to receive his party's nomination for Governor and returned again 8 years later in 1936 as President of the United States.

• Survey number: HABS NY-6189