From: MSTAUTER@UMRVMB.BITNET (Mark Stauter)
Newsgroups: soc.roots
Subject: Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
Date: 18 Nov 92 14:29:31 GMT
Article-I.D.: UMRVMB.921118.082931.CST.MSTAUTER
Reply-To: Mark Stauter <MSTAUTER@UMRVMB.BITNET>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Acknowledge-To: <MSTAUTER@UMRVMB>

ROOTers:
   In my experience, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) records were not
systematically collected by the national office as the local chapters
(called posts) passed out of existence, and I have not been able to locate
a central repository for even the national records.
   The Chicago Public Library operates a Grand Army of the Republic Memorial
Museum at 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602; (312)269-2926.  It is "a
small history museum," whose collections include "artifacts, books, manu-
scripts, and artwork."  Curator: Laura Linard.
   In Philadelphia there's the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the
United States (MOLLUS) at 1805 Pine St., 19103; (215)546-2425.  This is a
"hereditary organization," and was "founded by officers who served in the
Union Forces during the Civil War."  MOLLUS "has historical records of
members and organization."  Recorder-in-chief: William A. Hamann III.
   I have seen a postcard of the interior of the "Grand Army Museum, built
and maintained by National Woman's Relief Corps Auxiliary to Grand Army
Museum, 629 S. Seventh, Springfield, IL 62703," but I was unable to find
any additional information.
   Since the records of the local posts appear to have been dispersed, the
best places to look for them might be nearby historical manuscript reposi-
tories, often affiliated with colleges or universities.  Be sure to check
the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections, available at most major
research libraries.
   The University of Missouri/State Historical Society of Missouri Western
Historical Manuscript Collection (WHMC) has the following GAR records:
   At WHMC-Columbia, 23 Ellis Library, UM-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201
(314)882-6028:
   #C2027 GAR A. Lincoln Post No. 5, Moberly, MO.  List of deceased members,
n.d.
   #C3739 GAR Smithton Post No. 417 (Pettis County, Mo.).  Records, 1889-1904.
   #unp  GAR Estle Post No. 178 (location not given).
   #C3529 GAR Aldrich Post No. 536 (Polk County, Mo.).  Records, 1892-1897.
   #C2469 GAR Harkas Post (location not given).  Records, 1883-1905.
   #C1112 GAR Hayn Post No. 240 (Boonville, Mo.).  Records, 1885-1922.
   #C141 GAR Morton Post No. 14 (Joplin, Mo.).  REcords, 1882-1943.
  At WHMC-Rolla, G-3 Library, UM-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65401-0249; (314)341-4874:
   #R375 GAR McCook Post No. 312 (Leesville, Henry County, Mo.).  "Black
    list," 1887.
   #R225 GAR Pape Post No. 184 (Zalma, Bollinger County, Mo.).  Records, 1865-
     1913.
   #R64 GAR Shanks Post No. 100 (Lutesville, Bollinger County, Mo.).  Records,
    1883-1889.
   #R131 GAR Farmington Post No. 215 (St. Francois County, Mo.).  Records,
    1884-1902.
   #R81 GAR Meade Post No. 48 (Lebanon, Laclede County, Mo.).  Records, 1882-
    1937.
  The Directory of Archives and Manuscript Repositories in the United States
(second edition) indicates GAR materials at these places:
  Allied Orders of the Grand Army of the Republic, Memorial Shrine to the
Grand Army of the Republic, Room 27, State House, Boston, MA 02133 (no phone).
  Beaman Memorial Public Library, West Boylston Collection, 8 Newton St.,
West Boylston, MA 01583; (615)835-3711.  Records of local GAR post.
  Weymouth Public Libraries, The Tufts Library, 46 Broad St., Weymouth, MA
02188; (617)337-1402.  GAR auxiliary records.
  Winchendon Historical Society, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon, MA 01267; (617)
297-0300.  Local GAR post records.
  Hoyt Public Library, Eddy Historical & Genealogical Collection, 505 Janes
Ave., Saginaw, MI 48605; (517)755-0904.  Material not specified.
  Sturgis Public Library, 130 N. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091; (616)651-
7907.  GAR records.
  Norman County Historical Society, 404 W. 5th Ave., Ada, MN 56510; (218)
784-4911.
  Havens Fire Museum, Fire Headquarters, 244 Perry St., Trenton, NJ 08618;
(609)989-4038.  Local GAR post records.
  King's Daughters Free Library, 127 Cuyler St., Palmyra, NY 14522; (315)
597-5276.  Local GAR records.
  Wright State Univ., Library, Archives & Special Collections, Greater Miami
Valley Research Center, Dayton, OH 45435; (513)873-2092.  "Several" local
post records.
  Sons of Union Veterans, Philadelphia Camp No. 200, GAR Memorial Hall,
4278-80 Griscom St., Philadelphia, PA 19124; no phone.  Looks like lots
of GAR records from Pennsylvania, and other states.
  Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, County of Allegheny, Fifth & Bigelow,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213; (412)621-4253.   Local GAR records.
  GAR Memorial Hall Museum, Capitol 419 North, Madison, WI 53702; (608)
266-1680.  Records from throughout Wisconsin.
  Mazomanie Historical Society, 51 Crescent St., Mazomanie, WI 53560; (608)
795-2216.  LOcal GAR records.
  Monroe County Local History Room & Library, Rt. 2, Box 21, Community
Services Bldg., Sparta, WI 54656; (608)269-8680.  Local GAR records.
  Hope this is helpful.
  Mark Stauter, Univ. of Mo. West. Hist. Manuscript Collection-Rolla
  MSTAUTER@UMRVMB or MSTAUTER@UMRVMB.UMR.EDU
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU