Robert and Mary Montgomery Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach

The Robert and Mary Montgomery Armory Art Center is a historic site that seamlessly blends the past and present. Originally built as a National Guard Armory in the 1930s, it played a vital role during and after World War II as a training center for soldiers. The Armory also became a local hotspot in the 1950s and '60s, hosting proms, parties, and concerts, including performances by Chubby Checker.

In 1987, after years of disrepair and abandonment, it was revitalized into a community arts center with the help of philanthropists Robert and Mary Montgomery. The building itself, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, retains its architectural charm with elements like an arched ceiling reminiscent of an airplane hangar and iconic Art Deco stars on the front door canopy.

Today, the Armory Art Center continues its legacy by offering a wide range of art education classes and exhibitions. It houses multiple facilities, including Montgomery Hall, dedicated to exhibitions and named after the benefactors, and the Young Artist Studio Facility, designed to provide natural light for visual arts.

Over the years, the center has attracted notable figures such as Hillary Clinton, Luciano Pavarotti, and Burt Reynolds. The Armory also hosts the popular West Palm Beach Arts Festival, which showcases cutting-edge artists from around the country.