The Watervliet Arsenal is an arsenal of the United States Army located in Watervliet, New York, on the west bank of the Hudson River. It is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the United States, and today produces much of the artillery for the army, as well as gun tubes for cannons, mortars, and tanks. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966.The arsenal was founded in 1813 to support the War of 1812, and was designated as the Watervliet Arsenal in 1817. It occupies 142 acres (57 ha) of land, approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Albany, New York. The location is adjacent to the Hudson River. The site contains manufacturing, administrative offices and storage areas. It also houses the Army's Benet Laboratories, which does product development, improvement, research, and testing.Tenant activitiesThe Arsenal has the historic Iron Building, which served as the home of the Watervliet Arsenal Museum. However, the museum was closed on October 1, 2013 for security reasons.Recruiting Station Albany, the headquarters of a United States Marine Corps recruiting station, is located on the Arsenal.
"The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility located in Watervliet, New York. The Arsenal is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812.Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high tech, high powered weaponry for tank, howitzer, and mortar systems. Since our humble beginning in 1813, our products have helped hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women to safely come home from battle.But more than land, equipment, and buildings, the Arsenal represents thousands of great Americans who have proudly served their country by supporting our Nation’s war fighters for more than 200 years."
