Knickerbocker Greys Make Proud Return to Park Avenue Armory

The Knickerbocker Greys, the beloved youth cadet group that has operated out of the Park Avenue Armory since 1902, made a defiant and well-attended return to their basement headquarters on September 22—despite the nonprofit conservancy that runs the Armory waging a last-ditch legal battle to kick them out of the premises.

“We drill on the floors that are empty, and those have been taken away from us,” said Colonel David Menegon told Our Town. “It’s been communicated to us that they don’t want the cadets in the building at all.” Menegon, a three-time Bronze Star recipient, has served as the Commandant of the Greys since 2000.

The Park Avenue Conservancy claims that the Greys, which are tied to the New York National Guard’s Seventh (“Silk Stocking”) Regiment, are standing in the way of a planned renovation of the state-owned building.

Nowadays, 55,000-square-foot Wade Thompson Drill Hall hosts massive experimental theatrical productions and high end antique shows that attract the likes of Martha Stewart..

In turn, the 22-member Greys have argued that the small alcove that they inhabit doesn’t interfere with the arts programming that the Conservancy holds upstairs, and instead exemplifies the building’s history and communal spirit; the Seventh Regiment built the armory, after all, and the youth group counts former NYC Mayor John Lindsay and former NY Governor John D. Rockefeller among its alumni.

The Greys have plenty of allies in their fight to stay in their historic home, too, both locally and elsewhere. In fact, a state law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul explicitly commanded that they be allowed to do so, which a state court then cited in July while granting a conditional stay on their eviction.

The Conservancy has continued to press its cause in an ongoing federal case, namely one that challenges the constitutionality of this state law. In the meantime, they have to allow the youth cadets and their parents in for the season.

Yet they seemed determined to impose some pointed restrictions regardless on September 22, including sending everybody celebrating the first day back through a side door, rather than the otherwise-accessible majestic front door. The Greys have historic plaques located just past this front entrance, which they were essentially barred from viewing.

No exceptions to this were allowed for members of the press hoping to photograph these plaques, including Our Town, which was turned away by a security guard. People visiting the Armory for other reasons appeared to have no problem making it through the front door, which had a “Welcome to Park Avenue Armory” sign positioned in front of it.

Downstairs, wall-mounted cameras were positioned just outside the room occupied by the Greys, while a large “Please Do Not Enter” sign blocked the stairs leading to the rest of the building.

Alida Camp, a former chair of Community Board 8, stopped by in a show of support for the Greys.

“It’s hard to believe the Armory would make a fuss over that amount of space,” she told Our Town, pointing at the now-bustling headquarters. Camp added that “important” cadet groups like the Greys teach “civics, responsibility, and democracy.”

Gabriela, one of the cadets, said that it was “very cool” to be back in the historic home of the Greys again. Her friend Emily, who has been a cadet for four years, described how being a member of the cadet group bolsters “communication and leadership skills.” Emily’s father, who had swung by as well, spoke with admiration of the “discipline” and character that the Greys taught.

City Council Member Virginia Maloney, who represents the area, made an appearance as well. “It’s a place of learning, it’s a joyous organization,” she said of the “multi-generational” Greys. She clarified to Our Town that she was not permitted through the front door, either.

The Park Avenue Armory Conservancy did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.