The Hyannis Armory at 225 South Street was constructed by Walter Gaffney Associates in 1958 for the Massachusetts National Guard. Just two years later, it gained national notoriety. It was here, on the morning of November 6, 1960, that president-elect John F. Kennedy gave his victory speech with his family by his side. Kennedy read the well wishes of outgoing president Dwight D. Eisenhower and vice president, Richard Nixon. His speech famously ended with “So now my wife and I prepare for a new administration and for a new baby.” Jacqueline (Bouvier) Kennedy gave birth to John F. Kennedy, Jr. later that month.
The Armory was active until 2005. Soon after, talk of the building’s demolition became a regular debate but was halted due to the recession of 2008. The Town of Barnstable currently uses the 20,000 sq ft building for storage and, in 2021, announced plans to renovate the building for use as a Health Division Office.
The property was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places but was never listed.
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