New England Civil War Museum facts for kids
The New England Civil War Museum and Research Center is a special place that helps us learn about the American Civil War. It was first started by local soldiers who fought in the war back in 1896. Later, in March 1994, it officially became a museum and opened its doors to everyone.
You can find the museum inside the historic Memorial Building in Rockville, Connecticut. It's located in what used to be a meeting hall for the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The GAR was a group for Union Army veterans after the Civil War. A local GAR group, called Thomas F. Burpee Post #71, met in this hall from 1890 to 1929.
Today, the Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War meets there. This group is made up of descendants of Union soldiers. They have been meeting in the hall since 1890. This makes it the oldest GAR Hall in the entire country that has been used continuously!
Exploring the Museum's Treasures
Most of the museum's first collection came from the Civil War veterans of the Burpee Post. Today, the museum has hundreds of items from the Civil War era. Some of the most interesting collections belonged to:
- The Hirst brothers, who fought in the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
- Colonel Thomas F. Burpee, who led the 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
- Kilbourne Newell, another soldier from the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
- Charles Weston, a musician who served in the 5th and 7th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
The museum also has the O'Connell-Chapman Library. This library holds over 1,000 books about the Civil War. It even has original copies of "The War of the Rebellion." This was a huge collection of official records from the Union and Confederate armies. The U.S. War Department put it together between 1880 and 1901. The library also has original Civil War map books and old photographs of local Civil War veterans.
The Memorial Building has a large meeting room called the Grand Hall, plus an outer room and a kitchen. The Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War owns the museum, library, and these rooms.
Historic Gatherings
The Grand Hall has hosted many important events over the years. Many Civil War regiments held their reunions here, bringing old comrades back together.
- August 9, 1892: Reunion of the 5th Connecticut Regiment.
- September 16, 1893: Reunion of the 14th Connecticut Regiment.
- August 18, 1896: Reunion of the 25th Connecticut Regiment.
- September 17, 1909: Reunion of the 14th Connecticut Regiment.
- September 20, 1920: Reunion of the 11th Connecticut Regiment.
The Connecticut Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) also uses the Memorial Hall for their meetings. This group is another organization for descendants of Union officers.
See also
- Grand Army of the Republic Hall (disambiguation)
- National Civil War Museum
