The Duluth Armory is once again offering tours of the facility as part of the Duluth Dylan Days. Saturday May 25th, guests will get the chance to step back in a special time in Duluth’s history.

The Duluth Armory was build in 1915 and was used for both military matters and community events. It served as a military training facility for the Minnesota National Guard and Naval Militia, but the duality comes with how many live music performances were held there as well.

Performers like Jonny Cash, Louis Armstrong, and Bob Hope all played there. And even President Harry S. Truman payed a visit to the armory. But the performance with the biggest story came in the form of the Winter Dance Party of 1959.

That show made the Duluth Armory one of last venues that Buddy Holly performed at before he passed away. And it’s also where Bob Dylan got his inspiration to become a musician.

Bob was standing in the front row of the show and says he felt a connection between himself and Buddy Holly, that inspired him to persue music. And to honor that night, the Duluth Armory has marked the spot that Bob stood with a star which you can see when you go on the tour.

The tour for Duluth Dylan Fest comes at a time where the Armory is making great strides in restoration after many years being threatened with demolition.

Currently the team is working on removing hazardous material so the construction. And then in the late summer in of 2024 the restoration construction begins, after that it will take around 18 months until everything is ready for music to return to the Duluth Armory.