5. The Seventh Regiment Adopted an Orphan

Mary Divver Room Park Avenue Armory Ladies Room Untapped Cities AFineLyneThe Ladies Reception Room named for Mary Divver. Image via Library of Congress

The Ladies Reception Room is named for a Mary Divver, who was an orphan adopted by the Seventh Regiment in 1852. She was the daughter of a military officer of the Regiment, who passed away when she was nine years old, and at the time it was decided by the Board of Officers that she be adopted by the Regiment. An annual assessment was levied upon the members for her education and maintenance of one dollar annually, and her education was carefully supervised. She married in 1863, and on the day of her marriage, the Board of Officers presented her with the sum of $2,000 as a gift.