Call Number:

09

Repository:

Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library

Extent:

21.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1975-2011 (bulk) and 1865-2011 bulk, 1975-2011 (inclusive)

Creator:

Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library.

Abstract:

Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library subject files, 1865-2011 (bulk 1975-2011), focus around topics relating to the Civil War and its legacy. The bulk of the collection is made up of photocopies, copies of secondary histories, and printed ephemera, although there are some original, unique documents.

"The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization founded after the Civil War to provide all veterans of the Union Armed Forces with a forum for social and political activities and as a venue for debate and reminiscence of their service in the Civil War." (Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library)

"The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was a creation of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) which was formed in 1866. Wanting to pass on its heritage, the GAR in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania created a Corps of Cadets in 1878 which later became the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (SV)... In 1904, the SV elected to become a patriotic education society and in 1925 changed its name to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW)... Prior to disbanding and before the death of its last member, the GAR officially designated the SUVCW as its successor and heir to its remaining property. On August 20, 1954, the SUVCW was officially incorporated by an Act of Congress by the passing of Public Law 605 of the second session of the 83rd Congress." (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War)

Bibliography:

Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library. "Museum Informational Brochure." Accessed January 18, 2012. http://garmuslib.org/

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. "Introduction." August 30, 2010. Accessed January 18, 2012. http://suvcw.org/suv.htm

The bulk of the collection is made up of photocopies, copies of secondary histories, and printed ephemera, although there are some original, unique documents. Of special interest are four boxes of original GAR materials: newspaper clippings, invitations and ephemera, correspondence, receipts, 1866-1940; and one box of original photographs, letters, and ephemera, circa 1865, donated by Heather McCauley.

The photocopies and publications focus around topics relating to the Civil War and its legacy. Civil War-related subjects include Abraham Lincoln, Civil War prisons, the Battle of Gettysburg, etc. There are files on particular Civil War regiments and troops in Philadelphia, notably 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 104th Pennsylvania, First City Zouaves, and other African-American troops. There are also files relating to Civil War memory, such as reenacting, Gettysburg, and other historic sites. The Grand Army of the Republic and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, of course, are well-represented in the files, and there are veterans' obituaries, cemetery lists, and other related resources.

Additional unprocessed materials, stored in the Museum attic, may not yet be available to researchers. These include about .4 linear feet of Harold T. Beilby papers, 1977-1978; Gettysburg Centennial Programs, 1963; and miscellaneous papers in the southwest corner file cabinet.