Where Have We Been #8: Higgins Armory

It's so sad that Higgins Armory is about to close.  I know most of the collection is going to the art museum but it won't be the same. I have some great memories of going there with our Gram, watching sword fighting and arms demonstrations and, the best part, getting plastic swords we could attack each other with in our Gram's side yard. Mr. No has quite a few memories there himself.  He's gone twice with me and several times with his Nana and Pop.  I have to go one more time and get a photo of the building itself.  I meant to this time but it started raining on us and Mr. No had his cardboard shield to worry about. If you live in there area, go once just to to check it out.  It's not as big as it seemed when I was little but nothing ever is.

The first time Mr. No went, he was not even 2.  We went with his friend Noodle and her family on Halloween weekend to go trick or treating. The No's were the cutest dragon and dinosaur and everyone thought they were twins.  The costumes were not planned. Mr. No just wanted to be a T-Rex and she wanted to be a dragon.  They were adorable.

 

About a week ago we went again and, sadly, that will most likely be our last visit. There is one main floor of exhibits, while not very big, houses so many interesting artifacts. Armor, swords, all kinds of weapons, amazing for anyone to see really.  Here are the two sides of the main exhibit floor of the armory which is actually the 3rd floor. You can see a few of the larger displays in the middle and the crazy amount of people there to see it all before it is moved.

Some of the detail work on the armor and the weapons are absolutely amazing. And some of them are rather creepy...the armor with the smiling face just gives me the chills. I'm not sure why.

The array of weaponry is incredible.  Not that I'm all that knowledgeable about weaponry, but there were a lot of items I had never even heard of before. 

The next floor is a balcony that overlooks the 3rd floor and has more armor, etc. That is where the very cool samaurai armor and weapons are and, Mr. No's favorite, the Medusa plaque from the Roman empire. 

Here are gorgeously detailed arrow heads.

An adult could spend hours just reading about everything there.  Mr. No just wanted to rush around and see everything...and then head down to the 2nd floor which is the play area.  There is a huge chess board, large soft, block, wooden block, armor to try on and more.  Mr. No really just wanted to build with the castle blocks and at one point he had 2 other little boys with him.  The 3 of them built an entire city. He also got to design his own cardboard shield. He planned it all out and then put us to work cutting the shapes.

The museum will be closing at the end of December. If you're in New England, it's worth a look before it's gone. Early weapons, viking weapons, samaurai armor, so much to see and learn about. Yes, the pieces are moving to the art museum but it truly won't be the same experience.  They also have shows and demonstrations right up to closing day.  I have some great memories from here most of which ended in my sister and me sword fighting in our Grandmother's front yard.  We didn't look when we were there but plastic swords used to be available in the gift shop.  We really should get one for Mr. No...and for me!