Just before the American Revolution, the Kentish Guards were formed. This group is a historic state militia organization that was chartered by the colony to guard the town of East Greenwich from Tory Attack. The Armory of the Kentish Guards was built later on, though, as the initial armory of the group was the Kent County Court House.

Today?s Armory of the Kentish Guards was built in 1843 for $1000 from donations. It features Greek revival style architecture, which is considered today by many architectural experts and historians to have an outstanding architectural value. It is also believed to be the only structure of its sort built before the Mexican War.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and in the Historical Armories of Rhode Island, the Armory of the Kentish Guards can be visited by schedule.