Grand Army of the Republic Hall (Litchfield, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Litchfield, Minnesota |
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 Location in Minnesota
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| Location | 370 N. Marshall St. Litchfield, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1885 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000995 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 1975 |
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfield, Minnesota is a special historic building. It was built in 1885 for a group called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This group was made up of soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.
The Litchfield Hall is one of the few original GAR halls still standing in the United States. It is also one of only four left in Minnesota. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1975.
In 1960, the Meeker County Historical Society Museum was built behind the Hall. But the Hall itself was kept just as it was. It looks the same as when the "Boys of '61" met there many years ago.
Contents
History of the GAR Hall
What was the Grand Army of the Republic?
After the American Civil War, many soldiers wanted to stay connected. In 1866, Dr. B. F. Stephenson started the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Illinois. It was a group for honorably discharged veterans. These were soldiers who fought for the Union between 1861 and 1865.
The GAR's motto was "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty." This meant they wanted to keep their friendships strong. They also wanted to help veterans who were hurt or sick. And they helped the families of soldiers who had died.
Starting a Local Chapter
Twenty-seven veterans from Meeker County, Minnesota, started their own GAR chapter. It was first called the Edward Branham Post. Later, in July 1883, a new chapter began. It was named after Lt. Frank E. Daggett.
Lieutenant Daggett was an important leader in the Minnesota GAR. He had worked with John Brown, who fought against slavery. Daggett also commanded two all-black army groups during the Civil War. He was a newspaper editor in Litchfield and died young, at age thirty-nine.
Building the Meeting Hall
The local GAR chapter grew to 140 members. They needed a bigger place to meet than the old county courthouse. So, they bought land near Central Park. Henry Ames, a GAR member who owned a brickyard, gave them all the bricks.
Building the hall started in 1885 and cost $5000. It was finished in the late fall of that year. The Hall was officially opened on November 14, 1885. The members then gave the building to the Village of Litchfield. They asked that it always be kept as a memorial to Civil War veterans. It also became the first public library in Meeker County.
Inside the Historic Meeting Room
The city has kept the meeting room exactly as it was. On the north wall, you can see large pictures of most of the original members. The chairs are also the same ones used in 1885. The members brought their own chairs from home, so they are all different. They are now painted gray, but they were once just ordinary kitchen chairs.
The original organ is still there, along with other old furniture. It's like stepping back in time to see how the veterans met.
Special Artifacts and Displays
In 1889, the GAR Post received a special oak log. It came from a cabin in Acton Township, Minnesota. This was where five members of the Jones family were tragically killed in the Dakota War of 1862. The log was made into lumber.
From this wood, an altar was built for the center of the meeting room. A gavel, used during meetings, was also made. The altar is about 32 inches square and 36 inches high. It has a soft, leather-covered top. In one corner of the room, there is a small model of the Jones cabin, also made from the same special wood.
The Hall also has a museum area near the entrance. It displays many Civil War items. You can see rifles, uniforms, flags, and other artifacts. These include old ammunition, medals, and ribbons. Sadly, some rifles were stolen during a break-in years ago.
Remembering the Veterans
GAR members started the tradition of Memorial Day in 1868. This day honors soldiers who died serving their country. The last Civil War veteran in Litchfield was W. A. Olmstead, who died in 1933.
The last Meeker County veteran was Albert H. DeLong. He passed away in 1936. He was an Indian scout and helped after the Jones family tragedy. The very last GAR member in the United States was Albert Woolson from Duluth, Minnesota, who died in 1956.
One interesting fact is that a black member named Allison or Albert Van Spence was part of Litchfield's GAR. This was unusual for the town at that time.
Meeker County Historical Museum
The GAR Hall is also the entrance to the Meeker County Historical Museum. Many people visit the museum to research their family history. It has old county maps, records of deaths, and lists of cemetery markers. You can also read many old local newspapers.
The museum has many items from the county's early pioneer days. There's even a real log cabin from 1868 that you can explore. Upstairs, you'll find a copy of pioneer O. A. Jacobson's Crow River Store. The entire downtown area of Litchfield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The GAR Hall and the museum are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $3.00, but children aged 12 and under can enter for free. Donations are welcome. Litchfield is located about 65 miles west of Minneapolis, where Highways 12 and 22 meet.
