VISITORS, TOURS AND RESEARCHERS ARE WELCOME
THE MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR VISITORS AND TOURS
We are very pleased to announce that our new accessible first floor bathroom is now complete and the museum is open. Please scroll down for visit information.
THE MUSEUM IS NOW OPEN FOR VISITORS AND RESEARCH
We are very pleased to announce that the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Archive has completed its move to our new historically certified building,
the Lewis-Pattison House, 8110 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
The Museum will be open on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment.
We are pleased to welcome researchers and visitors by appointment.
Please read the procedures outlined below.
We are excited to now be able to welcome visitors to tour our exhibits and utilize our extensive archives for historical and genealogical research. Our exhibits have been revitalized and designed to tell the personal story of the men and women who served our country during the Civil War. Our exhibits focus on the personal memorabilia of the veterans, highlighting those with personal ties to the city of Philadelphia and the region.
There is no admission fee to tour our Museum or to do research in the library. However, we ask that you consider either becoming a member or making a donation.
It is only through your financial support that our historic collection can continue to be made available to students and the public.
While we encourage your visit, please be aware that we are staffed solely by volunteers. Our current volunteer staffing can accommodate a visit by appointment other than our Tuesday hours.
To make an appointment, email us at garmuslib1866@gmail.com
To arrange a guide for your visit, we will need seven-days’ notice, and we will confirm the date(s) after we recruit volunteer(s).
In your e-mail, please provide the following:
1. The nature of the visit – tour and/or research
2. Requested date and arrival time
3. Number of participants
4. Name, telephone number and e-mail address of the lead person
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
This the first step in a planned expansion of our operating hours and your cooperation is appreciated.
We will follow the City of Philadelphia's Covid-19 prevention strategies
at the time of your visit.
As a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, all donations payable to the “GAR Civil War Museum” are tax deducible to the full extent of the law.
Memberships and donations to support the museum should be mailed to:
G. A. R. Civil War Museum, 8110 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
OR make a donation through PayPal on our Donations Page.
WE INVITE YOU TO BECOME A PART OF THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE MUSEUM'S HISTORY.
THE MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR VISITORS
WE HAVE REGULAR OPEN HOURS ON TUESDAY FROM 11:00 AM THROUGH 4:00 PM.
WE ARE ALSO PLEASED TO WELCOME VISITORS BY APPOINTMENT.
JUST EMAIL US AT garmuslib1866@gmail.com
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE FOLLOW THE INFORMATION FOUND ON THIS PAGE.
KEEP HISTORY ALIVE!
SUPPORT THE MUSEUM BY BECOMING A MEMBER!
SEE OUR MEMBERSHIP PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Click "MORE" to learn about our history, research library, and historical collections.
CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR FUTURE HISTORICAL LECTURES AND PROGRAMS
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS AND MUSEUM DONORS.
Scroll below for further information.
READ OUR OUTSTANDING JOURNAL
the GAR SCOUT.
Scroll below to download the journal.
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.
OUR NEW MUSEUM LOCATION
THE NEW MUSEUM BUILDING c: 1805
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, 19136
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, 19136
THE MUSEUM IS NOW OPEN FOR VISITORS AND RESEARCH:
WE ARE LOCATED ON FRANKFORD AVENUE NEAR WELSH ROAD
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, 19136
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, 19136
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, 19136
THE LEWIS - PATTISON HOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1805 AND IS IN THE HOLMESBURG SECTION OF PHILADELPHIA
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."
G.A.R. AND CIVIL WAR RESEARCH POLICY - PLEASE READ
RESEARCH POLICY
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, personal memoirs, biographies, Lincoln, a large collection related to African-American history, and other books related to many aspects of the Civil War.
We are gratified by the interest that has been shown in those requesting research assistance. Our archives and library resources are highly sought-after by researchers.
To effectively meet the extensive number of requests, our Research Associate and Museum Historian will only research and respond to requests made by members of, and donors to the museum.
IF YOU ARE REQUESTING RESEARCH ASSISTANCE YOU MUST EITHER CURRENTLY BE A MEMBER OF THE MUSEUM, OR BECOME A MEMBER OF THE MUSEUM, OR MAKE A DONATION TO THE MUSEUM.
PLEASE VISIT THE MEMBERSHIP OR DONATION PAGE PRIOR TO MAKING YOUR RESEARCH REQUEST.
YOU MAY BECOME A MEMBER BY EITHER SENDING AN APPLICATION AND A CHECK TO THE MUSEUM, OR THROUGH PAYPAL. ON THIS WEBSITE.
ONCE YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR DONATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED, OUR VOLUNTEER STAFF WILL BE PLEASED TO BEGIN THE RESEARCH AND RESPOND TO YOUR REQUEST AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE MUSEUM IS A NON-PROFIT 501-C-3 ORGANIZATION. ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT OF THE LAW.
G. A. R. CIVIL WAR MUSEUM AND ARCHIVE
8110 FRANKFORD AVENUE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19138
THE RESEARCH collection
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
RESEARCH REQUESTS ARE LIMITED TO INFORMATION RELEVANT TO G.A.R. POST RECORDS & HISTORIES, RECORDS RELATED TO OTHER ALLIED ORDERS OF THE G.A.R. SUCH AS LADIES OF THE G.A.R. OR DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR ETC.
AS AVAILABLE, WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MILITARY RECORDS OF CIVIL WAR VETERANS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT CONDUCT FAMILY AND ANCESTRAL GENEOLOGY RESEARCH.
HUGH BOYLE HISTORICAL ARCHIVES
Our archives house a substantial number of 19th and 20th century contemporary documents, newspapers, photographs and other GAR Post and veterans records.
Researchers are welcome to visit the museum and utilize the archives and library for personal research.