Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Location	102 Mary St. Boscobel, Wisconsin
NRHP reference No.	07001329
Added to NRHP	December 27, 2007

The Boscobel Grand Army of the Republic Hall is a special building in Boscobel, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's an important place that the United States government wants to protect. It is also on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.

What is the Boscobel GAR Hall?

This historic building has a long and interesting past. It started as a church and later became a meeting place for a group of Civil War veterans. Today, it serves as a museum, helping people learn about its history.

Early Days: A Church Building

The building was first built in 1871. A local group of Baptist church members constructed it. It was known as the First Baptist Church. Inside, it had a large, open space called a nave, which was two stories tall.

However, the church group left the building in 1879. It stood empty for some time. You can still see a few of the original church pews and the organ inside today. These items remind us of its first purpose.

New Purpose: A Meeting Place for Veterans

In 1896, a new group bought the building. This group was called the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). The G.A.R. was an organization for soldiers who fought for the Union in the American Civil War. The local chapter was named John McDermott Post #101. They also had a Women's Relief Corps #32.

The G.A.R. members changed the building quite a bit. They split the tall, open nave into two separate floors. The first floor was set up with a kitchen and other rooms. The second floor became a large meeting hall. This is how the building looks inside even now.

The hall was a busy meeting place for the G.A.R. until 1942. After that, it became a museum. It helps people remember the history of the Civil War and the veterans who served.