Hessian Powder Magazine
Hessian Powder Magazine, June 2011
Hessian Powder Magazine is located in Pennsylvania
Hessian Powder Magazine
Hessian Powder Magazine is located in the United States
Hessian Powder Magazine
LocationGuardhouse and Garrison Lanes, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°11′52″N 77°10′42″W / 40.19778°N 77.17833°W / 40.19778; -77.17833
Area0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
Built1757
Built byHessian Prisoners of War
NRHP reference No.74001778[1]
Added to NRHPMay 17, 1974

The Hessian Powder Magazine, also known as the Hessian Guardhouse Museum, is an historic guardhouse and gunpowder magazine which is located on the grounds of the Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]

History and architectural features

Built in 1777, the Hessian Powder Magazine is a stone walled structure, which is lined with interior brick. It measures seventy feet by thirty-two feet with walls that are four-and-one-half-feet thick. It also has a vaulted stone roof, which is covered by timbers and tin, creating a gable form.[2]

Tradition says that Hessian prisoners of war, who were captured during the Battle of Trenton were sent to Carlisle, and used to build this guard house, which was originally a magazine. It may have first been used as a guardhouse during the 1870s, and also as part of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School (1879–1918).[2]

Afterwards, it was used as a quartermaster and medical supply storehouse, filmstrip laboratory, message center, and U.S. post office.[2]

It was designated a museum in 1948.[2]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania". CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on 2007-07-21. Retrieved 2012-01-21. Note: This includes Capt. Phillip D. Goodwin (June 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Hessian Powder Magazine" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-01-21.
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