The Mower County Historical Society invites the public to view the Booth Post No. 130 GAR Hall in Grand Meadow on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, June 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

During this open house visitors will be able to tour one of two GAR Halls remaining in the state of Minnesota. Donations will be accepted to assist with maintenance work on the building.

Buy a raffle ticket for $2 to win a Civil War chess set valued at $135. Raffle tickets can be bought at the Mower County Historical Society prior to the event or at the GAR Hall on Saturday. A winner will be drawn after the parade at the GAR Hall.

The Grand Army of the Republic Booth Post No. 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, which later held the deed when the veterans’ numbers dwindled.

The GAR Hall was later opened back up 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 took an inventory of the building’s contents and prepared it for the public. Eagle Scouts have also devoted attention to the hall by painting and making repairs to the building.

The Hall houses Civil War memorabilia from the Booth Post No. 130 banner to portraits of soldiers, paintings done by the daughter of GAR member C.F. Greening, and other area artifacts. It was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places on June 13, 1986.

For more information, call the MCHS office at 507-437-6082.