Category: history

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Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum’s New Location

After 63 years in our current building, we are excited to announce that the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum, the only museum in the Philadelphia area solely dedicated to the remembrance of the history of the Civil War, has a new historic home at 8110 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.
 
We are very pleased to have been able to relocate to another certified historic building in a far more accessible area of the city. 
 
To accomplish the immense task of moving the museum to our new location we will need your assistance and financial support
 
Packing and moving will be a monumental task over the next few months which will require the help of many.  If you can give some time as a volunteer to assist with the move, please contact the Museum by replying to this message:  garmuslib1866@gmail.com
 
The cost of archival packing and storage materials plus the additional cost of the actual move are quite extensive.  We require certified archival materials to assure that our historic collection is properly protected.  Please consider donating to the museum to support our efforts as we begin the move to our new location.
 
As a 503(C)3 non-profit organization, all donations payable to the “GAR Museum” are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Donations should continue to be sent to our current address, GAR Civil War Museum, 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124.
 
As of July 2, the Museum will be closed.  The Archive and Library will be open for research by appointment only.  We look forward to opening in the fall.
 
We invite you to become a part of the next chapter of the Museum’s history. 
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Flag Day

There were some observances of Flag Day today but they all brought to mind that the Frankford High School Junior ROTC Color Guard honors the flag many times each year by participating in community events.

On Memorial Day Weekend they were at the Puerto Rican Medal of Honor Memorial Day Ceremony held at Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge.   The normally outdoor ceremony was held indoors due to the inclement weather. Puerto Ricans are one of the very very few states or territories that hold a memorial service every year to honor their Medal of Honor Recipients ( Total of 9: 8 Army & 1 Marine; 5 from Vietnam War and 4 from Korean War).   The ceremony is hosted by American Legion Latin American Post 840 and attended by many dignitaries from American Legion, VFW and other military organizations.  The Frankford HS color guard presented the colors.

A Memorial Day Ceremony was hosted by the Malik Family of Northeast Philadelphia (Jardel Area).  The highlight of the ceremony was the display of the Philadelphia Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall (Plaques) that were on display on the grounds.  Ceremony included the Frankford HS color guard in addition to members of the Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments.

 

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JOHN NICOLAY, LINCOLN’S SECRETARY AND BIOGRAPHER

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR MUSEUM & LIBRARY
Presents a New Program via ZOOM 
Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
“JOHN NICOLAY, LINCOLN’S SECRETARY AND BIOGRAPHER.”

John Nicolay had an interesting route to end up as friend and confidant to President Lincoln – and to his surprise after the campaign, was asked to work in the Lincoln White House. His devotion to the Union Cause, and his devotion to the dead President becomes an interesting story to hear. On June 6, he comes back to give us some surprising details of his life – before, during and after his work in the Executive Mansion.  Seeing how both Providence and coincidence weave through his life makes him a man much remembered in our time – for his own life story, as well as how he gave us the Lincoln we know today.

By distinguished ‘Living Historian’ John Voris
Please send a request to reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation by replying to this e-mail at
You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation.
As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today!  We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum & Library
A FREE virtual program online 
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & LIBRARY
Historic Ruan House • 4278 Griscom Street• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19124 •
(215) 289-6484 • www.garmuslib.org
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Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum Reopens to the Public

The Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library,
4278 Griscom Street, www.garmuslib.org,
will reopen to the public every Tuesday from 12 to 4 beginning June 1, 2021.

Please call the Museum at 215-289-6484 before planning your visit,
to confirm that our volunteer staff will be in attendance.

Our “Open House Programs” will continue on Zoom.
The Museum will follow the current CDC guidelines.

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Historical Society Program May 11th

For our May meeting, presented via live stream on Facebook and YouTube on May 11 at 7:30 pm, John Buffington will talk about the history of Frankford Arsenal, a National Historic Register site, which also has 9 buildings specifically listed on the Philadelphia Historic Register, from the near-disaster of American military inadequacy in the War of 1812, through base closure in 1971 and privatization in 1977, to current status, threats, and opportunities.
As always, we invite you to comment and post questions in either platform’s comment section, however this time we will do something a little different. At the close we will invite viewers to post questions and comments to be addressed live about the potential for the Historical Society of Frankford to intervene more aggressively in situations like the current lamentable state of Buildings 2 and 3 at the Arsenal. So please stay tuned to the end, especially if you think that we aren’t doing enough on preservation emergencies.
Find it on their Facebook page or follow this link to YouTube:  link