Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library in Philadelphia

National Volunteer Week April 18 - 24, 2021 During National Volunteer Week, the all-volunteer Board of Directors of Philadelphia’ s GAR Museum and Library thanks everyone who has volunteered on behalf of the museum. Through your actions you support the museum in carrying out its mission. If you have guided an individual, a group, a college class, or a Cub Scout Pack on a tour of the museum, hosted a ghost hunt, or represented the museum at a community event, thank you. If ...you have cleared clutter and cleaned the museum from its third floor to its basement, thank you. If you have uncovered historically valuable artifacts among its collection, organized members of Civil War interest groups on work days, or designed exhibits, thank you. If you have cut the grass, raked the leaves, cleared the snow, or paid the bills, thank you. If you have written an article for or edited the museum’s newsletter, Grand Army Scout, developed and maintained our website, or managed our Facebook Page, thank you. If you have catalogued our library collection, transcribed letters and manuscripts, shared your knowledge of history by answering questions, or responded to requests for genealogical information about a Civil War ancestor, thank you. If you have donated an artifact or made a monetary or in-kind contribution, thank you. If you have encouraged someone to visit the museum, presented or attended an in person or virtual Open House program, or read, liked, or shared a GAR Museum Facebook post, thank you. Each of you in your own way have volunteered to help the museum promote an appreciation for and better understanding of American history. See more

In recognition of National Library Week (April 4-10, 2021) and the founding of the Grand Army 0f the Republic (April 6, 1866), Philadelphia’s Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library notes the library’s role in fulfilling its mission of preserving the heritage and history of the Civil War era. In addition to the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts, its specialty library and archive hold over 7,000 volumes and documents whose topics include regimental, un...it, Navy, battle, African American, Confederacy, and general histories, biographies, weapons, tactics, engineering, uniforms, cemeteries, maps, battlefield guides, home front, and Reconstruction. Topics in its Grand Army of the Republic Collection include Manuals and By-Laws, Rolls of Honor, Accounts, Encampments, Proceedings, Reunions, Grand Army of the Republic by State, Medical and Hospitals, Soldiers and Orphan Homes, Memorial Day, Memorial Services, Eulogies, books about veterans, and M.O.L.L.U.S. The Proceedings collection includes all but a few missing years of both the National and Department of Pennsylvania Encampments from 1867 1949. A few sets of Regimental Association events and of Post Records of events, primarily from Pennsylvania but an additional few from New Jersey, are also available. The museum’s Archives house 19th and 20th Century contemporary documents, newspapers, and photographs. Although the museum and its library have been closed this past year due to the pandemic and the library’s collection does not circulate or participate in the Interlibrary Loan program, requests for genealogical and family history research have been accepted online and in writing by the museum’s Research Associate and Historian. Beginning this month, the museum and its library are pleased to announce they are now open by appointment only. Appropriate safety measures are observed. Contact [email protected] to request an appointment. For information about the museum’s virtual programs, please visit its website. Grand Army of the Republic Museum & Library (garmuslib.org) See more

The Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library recently lost a former Board member and friend. Gene Stackhouse was a member of the Son's of Union Veterans, and was an expert on the history of Germantown, affectionally called the "Mayor" of Germantown. Gene served on the Museum Board of Directors in the early 2000's. Museum Vice President Andy Waski recently attended services for Gene and penned some thoughts, I was at the burial of Gene Stackhouse last Wednesday at Wes...t Laurel Hill Cemetery. I was invited to participate in the burial service. There was no viewing nor actual funeral. It was all done at the grave site. There were only 10-12 people there. He was buried in the green section: no embalming, nor head stones and most use only a basket to be buried in. This is the first time in my life that there just the body in a white shroud and NO casket. His body was simply lowered into the gave after a short service. I spoke about his honorable service in the US Army in Germany and placed a flag. I also spoke about his history work, preservation, membership in the Meade Society; GAR Museum, etc. Also that he always wanted to be buried in West LHC, because his gr-grandfather is buried there: Major Powell Stackhouse, 198th P.V. (6th Union League Regiment). Gene was a great historian specializing in Germantown and his preservation work and humanitarian work were extraordinary. Godspeed Gene! May you Rest in Peace.

Memorial Day 2020 On May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, Commander-In-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, in General Order No 11, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In 1968 Congress passed the U...niform Holiday Act which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. This change went into effect in 1971. While COVID-19 may prevent physically gathering in groups for Memorial Day observances this year, technology provides opportunities to do so virtually. A traditional component of these observances is the playing of Taps. More of its story at these links. Historian Explains the Origin of Taps https://tinyurl.com/yapjjzt8 The Story Behind the Famous Bugle Call, Taps http://tinyurl.com/y4cuftmp Bugles Across America at Indiantown Gap National Military Cemetery on 16 May 2020 https://youtube.com/watch?v=pZ0qJjj1yzs One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg, 2020 https://facebook.com/events/945912089194496 On YouTube Search - One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg, 2020

Martyrs of the Race Course As we approach Memorial Day 2020, traditional observances will be altered for many museum members and friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These observances have their foundation in ancient Greek and Roman practices of annual ceremonies that included decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers. Our modern observances grew out of the tradition of Decoration Day when Southern families visited the cemeteries where their ancestors were buried and... placed flowers on their graves. Many communities claim to be the earliest to decorate the graves of Union soldiers as part of post-Civil War observances. One of these earliest observances is not as well known and its location may surprise. As the war was nearing its end, thousands of soldiers were held in prisoner-of-war camps. Conditions at these camps were wretched. One of the lesser known camps was at a former race track in Charleston, South Carolina. Conditions there were so bad that more than 250 prisoners died due to disease or exposure. They were buried in a mass grave behind the race track’s grandstand. On May 2, 1865, The Charleston Daily News reported that on the day before, more than 1,000 recently freed slaves, USCT Regiments including the 54thMassachusetts Infantry, and a few white residents of Charleston gathered at the campground. Their intent was to afford the deceased Union soldiers a proper burial and recognition. The news item reported that the new burial site was dedicated by those assembled by singing hymns, giving readings, and decorating the new cemetery with flowers. J.A. Dahlgren, Rear Admiral, sent his regret at being unable to accept the invitation to attend the cemetery dedication noting, The object must have the best wishes of every lover of the country. We should never forget the gallant men who have laid down their lives for a great cause, but always keep their memory green. To read more of the story, follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/y7sabmsm Photo: Union Soldiers Cemetery Martyrs of the Race Course by Alfred Rudolph Waud (1828-1891) https://www.loc.gov/item/2004660670/

Today, May 18th, is International Museum Day, a time to reflect on what you value about museums, including the GAR Civil War Museum and Library. Although our doors are locked and our in-person programs are suspended, members of the museum’s Board of Directors are discussing ways to maintain contact with you, our members and friends. One of those ways is through this social media platform. We look forward to seeing you in person when it is safe to do so.

With the return of the USNS Comfort and the USNS Mercy to their home ports during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Armed Forces Day we are reminded that the U.S. Military not only defends our security around the world but also provides support to civilians during domestic crises. Read about the Union’s first hospital transport ship, the USS Red Rover, and other ships of the Union’s Hospital Transport Service and their staffs via the following links. https://www.history.navy.mil//ship-/danfs/r/red-rover.html https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu//Hospital_Transport_Servic

International Nurses Day, observed on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, celebrates the contribution of nurses to society. To read about some of the women who served as nurses during the Civil War, follow the link to a past exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center and click on their small imbedded photos for their stories. https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu//Civi/Civil_War_Nurses.cfm