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 building. It's one of the few original halls left from a group called the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). This hall was built in 1885 for a local GAR group, known as the Frank Daggett GAR Post No. 35. It's one of only four such halls still standing 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 GAR Hall itself was kept just as it was. It looks the same as when the "Boys of '61" – Civil War veterans – met there many years ago.
Contents
History of the GAR Hall
What Was the Grand Army of the Republic?
After the American Civil War ended, 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 Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Revenue Cutter Service veterans. To join, you had to have served between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 1865.
The GAR's motto was "Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty." This meant they wanted to keep friendships strong among veterans. They also helped veterans who were hurt, and supported the widows and orphans of those who died.
Starting a Local Post
In Minnesota's Meeker County, twenty-seven Civil War veterans formed a GAR chapter. It was first called the Edward Branham Post. Later, in July 1883, a new group started. They named it after Lt. Frank E. Daggett. He was an important member and later became a leader for all Minnesota GAR groups.
Frank Daggett had a fascinating life. He worked with John Brown, who fought against slavery. During the Civil War, Daggett commanded two all-black heavy artillery regiments. He moved to Meeker County in 1872 and edited a local newspaper, the Litchfield Ledger. He passed away at age 39 in 1876.
Building the Hall
The local GAR group grew to 140 veterans. They needed a bigger place to meet than the old county courthouse. So, they bought land near Central Park from Reuben S. Hershey. Henry Ames, a GAR member who owned a brickyard, donated the bricks.
Construction began in early 1885 and cost $5,000. The hall was finished that fall and opened on November 14, 1885. The members then gave the hall to the Village of Litchfield. They asked that it always be kept "as is" to honor Civil War veterans. It also became Meeker County's first public library!
Inside the Meeting Room
The city has kept the meeting room just as it was for the last GAR meeting. On the north wall, you can see large pictures of most of the original members. The chairs are also the same ones they used in 1885. When the hall first opened, members brought their own chairs from home. That's why all the chairs, now painted gray, are different! The original organ and other furniture are still there too.
Special Artifacts
In 1889, the Post received a special oak log. It came from the actual cabin in Acton where five members of the Jones family were killed during the Dakota War of 1862. This log was made into an altar and a gavel, which were used in meetings. The altar is 32.5 inches square and 36 inches high, with a leather-covered top. In the meeting room's northwest corner, there's also a small model of the Jones cabin, made from the same wood.
Near the entrance, you can see Civil War cannons that were once on the front lawn. The entrance room itself is like a small museum. Glass cases display rifles, uniforms, flags, and other Civil War items. These include old ammunition, medals, and ribbons. Sadly, some rifles were stolen during a break-in years ago.
Remembering Veterans
GAR members started the tradition of Memorial Day in 1868. This day honors those who died while serving in the military.
The last Civil War veteran and GAR member in Litchfield was W. A. Olmstead, who passed away in 1933. Albert H. DeLong was the last Meeker County veteran, passing in 1936. He was an Indian scout who helped after the Jones family tragedy. The very last GAR member in the United States was Albert Woolson from Duluth, Minnesota, who passed away in 1956. One interesting fact is that a black man named Allison or Albert Van Spence was a member of Litchfield's GAR, which was unusual for that mostly Scandinavian town.
Meeker County Historical Museum
The GAR Hall is now 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 obituaries, cemetery lists, and many old local newspapers.
The museum also displays many items from the county's pioneer days. You can even explore an actual 1868 log cabin! Upstairs, there's a copy of pioneer O. A. Jacobson's Crow River Store. The entire downtown area of Litchfield, between Depot Street and Third Street, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The GAR Hall and the museum are open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission costs $3.00, but children 12 and under can enter for free. Litchfield is located where Highways 12 and 22 meet, about 65 miles west of Minneapolis.
