Print this story |
E-mail story |
Add a comment |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Grand Army hall tours June 27
Historical Society will open rare hall to public
Published Tuesday, June 2, 2009
GRAND MEADOW — The Mower County Historical Society invites the public to view the Booth Post 130 Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Grand Meadow on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and following the parade until 4:30 p.m. During this open house, visitors will be able to tour one of two GAR Halls remaining in Minnesota.
To go along with the open house, MCHS will be raffling off a Grand Meadow afghan to support future repairs and restoration of the building. Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased during the open house at the GAR Hall or prior to that date at the MCHS office in Austin beginning June 9. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win. The winner will be announced at the GAR Hall at 4:30 p.m. that Saturday. If you are unable to visit on Saturday, the Grand Meadow Lions will open the building on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Grand Army of the Republic Booth Post 130 was formed by 16 Union Army Veterans of the Civil War. The GAR Hall was constructed in 1891 to be used as a meeting hall for the fraternal organization and the Woman’s Relief Corps, who later held the deed when the veterans’ numbers dwindled.
The GAR Hall was opened up after a long period by the Grand Meadow Girl Scout troop, who became curious about the building and its use. With the assistance of the Mower County Historical Society, the Scouts set to work, taking an inventory of the building’s contents and prepared it for the public. Eagle Scouts have also given their devoted attention to the hall by painting and making repairs to the building.
The Hall houses Civil War memorabilia from the Booth Post 130 banner to portraits of soldiers, paintings done by the daughter of GAR member C.F. Greening and other Grand Meadow area artifacts. It was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places on June 13, 1986.
For more information, call the MCHS office at 437-6082.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)