Commanding Officer's Quarters, Watertown Arsenal

The Commanding Officer's Quarters in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a historic house built during the American Civil War for Capt. Thomas J. Rodman, known for inventing the Rodman gun. Spanning 12,700 sq ft, it is one of the largest commander's quarters in U.S. military history. Despite its lavish cost, which drew criticism from Congress, Rodman was promoted and went on to build an even larger residence elsewhere. Today, the quarters serve as offices and a museum dedicated to the Watertown Arsenal, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.