OUR MISSION
The mission of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library is to preserve the heritage and history of the Civil War era through the presentation of historical programs, forums and exhibitions designed to promote a better understanding of American history.
WE ARE THE ONLY MUSEUM IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WAR. THE G. A. R. MUSEUM IS ALSO A 501(c)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
The museum possesses an outstanding collection of books, documents and photographs. Our archives include records of a number past Grand Army of the Republic Posts including chronicles, histories, reports and registers.
We also have a significant collection of regimental histories and other books related to many aspects of the Civil War.
The collection includes a significant number of personal memoirs, biographies, and a large collection related to African-American history.
The museum also has access to many online services that materially support historical and genealogical research.
Our museum Historian and Research Associate remain available to assist you with your inquires.
Please contact the museum either by USPS:
G. A. R. Museum, 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124;
OR by email garmuslib1866@gmail.com
- We do request that those with inquiries please consider joining the museum as a member, or making a donation to allow us to continue to provide our research services.
MUSEUM SCHEDULED EVENTS
MUSEUM HOURS AND TIMES
We sincerely regret with concern for the health of our visitors and volunteers the museum is closed to visitors and tours at this time.
MUSEUM SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A SERIES OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS AS DESCRIBED BELOW:
FOR FUTURE UPDATES AND INFORMATION PLEASE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MUSEUM BY DOWNLOADING THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION.
JUNE 6, 2021 VIRTUAL HISTORICAL PROGRAM
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 6 THE MUSEUM PROUDLY PRESENTS "JOHN NICOLAI, LINCOLN'S SECRETARY AND BIOGRAPHER."
MEET JOHN NICOLAY, THE SECRETARY TO PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN. HIS WORK AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND HIS DEVOTION TO THE PRESIDENT ARE A FASCINATING AND EDUCATIONAL STORY. HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO WORK IN LINCOLN'S WHITE HOUSE.
A VIRTUAL SEAT FOR THIS OUTSTANDING PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RESERVATIONS IN MAY: garmuslib1866@gmail.com
CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE JULY 4TH
The Museum will not have a program in July.
Please join us on August 1 when we present a new special program.
AUGUST 1, 2021 VIRTUAL HISTORICAL PROGRAM
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 THE MUSEUM PROUDLY PRESENTS "THE HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FORTHCOMING.
A VIRTUAL SEAT FOR THIS OUTSTANDING PROGRAM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JULY: garmuslib1866@gmail.com
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
THE CIVIL WAR
The great conflict that was the Civil War began with the firing on Fort Sumter and ended with the surrender of the Confederate armies. During the four years of the war over three miliion men wore a military uniform.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.)
The Grand Army of the Republic was composed of any veteran who had fought for the Union during the four years of the war. It was founded on April 6, 1866 by Major Benjamin F. Stephenson, a Surgeon who served in the 124th Illinois Infantry. By the 1890's the G. A. R. had a membership of over 450,000 Union veterans & 7,500 Posts throughout the United States.
THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR (SUVCW)
In 1878, the veterans of Anna M. Ross Post 94 of Philadelphia formed the Anna M. Ross Camp 1 of Sons of Union Veterans to assure that the legacy of the men who fought for the union would never be forgotten, and to "inculcate patriotism and love of country ... among all the people of this land."
THE MUSEUM
POST 2 COLLECTION
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
Our historic collection has its foundation in the Memorial Hall Museum of G. A. R. Post 2 of Philadelphia.
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
The Meade Room honors the Hero of Gettysburg & Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Key to the room is the head of OLD BALDY General Meade's war horse.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ROOM
GEN. MEADE & OLD BALDY
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ROOM
The Lincoln Room hosts a singular number of historic Lincoln relics including the HANDCUFFS found in John Wilkes Booth's trunk, & a documented strip of the PILLOWCASE with Lincoln's blood.
FIRST FLOOR EXHIBITS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
ABRAHAM LINCOLN ROOM
Our two first floor rooms display changing exhibits from our collection. Highlights include one of only two remaining pieces of the Andersonville Prison stockade, a John Brown Pike, weapons, artillery display, & a special display of Gettysburg relics and memorabilia.
ATKINSON MEETING ROOM
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
Along with other original art work, our second floor meeting room has many original oil paintings of Civil War generals that once graced the walls of the Post 2 Memorial Hall.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
The museum is home to a singularly historic collection of relics and artifacts of the Union veterans of the Civil War.
THE LIBRARY
BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
Our over 7,000 volume library and document archive possess a wealth of resources including regimental & general histories, biographies, & many topics including African American, the Navy, medicine, & battle histories.
GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
Our library has access to many archival and on-line materials to assist you with genealogical and family history research.
Our Research Associate and Historian are available to assist you with your research.
MUSEUM ARCHIVES
Our archives house a substantial number of 19th and 20th century contemporary documents, newspapers, photographs and other GAR Post and veterans records.
OUR HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC CIVIL WAR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
During the 19th century the veterans organized over twenty Posts in the City of Philadelphia. The largest Post hall was the memorial Hall established by Post 2 at 667 N. 12th Street. The Post 2 Hall was a magnificent structure composed on multiple meeting rooms, a grand hall, and an extensive collection of artifacts, relics, photographs and memorabilia.
In the mid 1960's the Post 2 Hall was closed and is no longer standing. Several members of the Sons of Union Veterans were able to bring a portion of the vast collection to the Ruan House, the 1796 home of physician Dr. John Ruan that is now the home of the G. A. R. Museum & Library.
In the mid-1980's, Margaret and Elmer "Bud" Atkinson of Philadelphia had a vision of creating a Civil War museum to honor and remember the veterans. The museum then opened for its first visitors in 1985. Since that date, the museum has hosted thousands of visitors and presented historical programs and speakers.
TODAY WE ARE THE ONLY MUSEUM IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA DEDICATED TO THE CIVIL WAR. WE ARE ALSO A 501(c)3 NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION.