Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall
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Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall
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| Location | 102 Mary St. Boscobel, Wisconsin |
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| NRHP reference No. | 07001329 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 2007 |
The Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall is a special old building in Boscobel, Wisconsin. It's like a historical treasure! This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's officially recognized as an important place in American history. It's also on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.
What is the Boscobel GAR Hall?
This building has a long and interesting past. Today, it serves as a museum. It helps us remember important parts of American history.
Its Early Days as a Church
The building was first built in 1871. A local group called the Baptist congregation built it. They used it as their First Baptist Church. Inside, it had a large, open space called a nave. This space was two stories tall.
However, the church group left the building in 1879. It was empty for a while. You can still see some things from its church days. A few old pews and the organ are still there.
Becoming a Home for Veterans
In 1896, a new group bought the building. This group was the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). The G.A.R. was a group for soldiers. These soldiers had fought in the American Civil War. The local chapter was called John McDermott Post #101. They also had a Women's Relief Corps #32.
The G.A.R. changed the building. They split the tall, open nave into two floors. The first floor got a kitchen and other rooms. The second floor became a meeting hall. This is how the building looks today. The G.A.R. used the hall until 1942. It was a place for veterans to meet. They could share stories and support each other.
Today, the building is a museum. It helps people learn about the G.A.R. and the Civil War.
