Tag: grand army of the republic museum

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GAR Program March 1st

From our friends at the GAR Museum 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) 

CIVIL WARMUSEUM & ARCHIVE

Presents a Free Zoom Program

 Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

“The Life and Struggles of Mary Edwards Walker:

Doctor, Feminist, Medal of Honor Recipient’

by Walt Lafty

Many people know that Mary E. Walker served as a doctor during the Civil War. Some are also aware she was the recipient of the Medal of Honor. This presentation will focus on her early family life, and her struggle to attain recognition as a doctor, prior to the war, as well as during and after the war. It will also cover her lifelong commitment to fighting for the right to vote for women and many other issues regarding feminism. She has been described as unconventional and eccentric, but she was also graceful, understanding, compassionate, and committed. Mary was above all else, a patriot who was loyal to the flag of the United States. Her sacrifices throughout her life to remain true to herself were difficult but inspiring.

Walt Lafty is a historian with a focus on the American Civil War (1861-1865), but also World War 2, as well as the history of Ireland. He has been active in various Civil War groups for many years. Those include the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Museum where he serves as the research administrator and volunteer. He is also active in the Delaware Valley CWRT where he is a board member as well as a member of the preservation committee. Walt is also an active member of Baker-Fisher Camp 101 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in Hatboro and currently serves as the camp secretary. In addition, he is a member of the Old Baldy CWRT and the General Meade

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

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. 

Deadline for signing-up is Noon, Saturday,

February 28, 2026

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 & Archive.  Become a Member. Application attached.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg – N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org

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Frederick Douglas Program at the GAR Museum

From our friends at the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Archive:

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR

MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

Presents a Free Zoom Program

 Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

“Frederick Douglass” by Prof. Nilgun Anadolu-Okur, Temple University

Frederick Douglass rose to prominence as an eloquent author, intellectual and human rights advocate, as well as a women’s rights leader. He was the first African American to hold high U.S. government ranks, as a diplomat in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and the first to be nominated for vice president. In her talk, Professor Okur will highlight Douglass’s lesser known characteristics.

Dr. Nilgün Anadolu-Okur is the Presidential Professor of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. She holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in African American and American Studies. She has two Fulbright appointments internationally and she has received grants and national awards in humanities. Currently she serves as chair of the Faculty Senate Status of Women Committee and as the Graduate Director of her department. In 1990s as the Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) Commonwealth Speaker she toured Pennsylvania and lectured on Underground Railroad and Black Abolitionists. She is the co-founder of the “Annual Underground Railroad Conference at Temple University,” since 2003. She has authored books on African American Studies and her articles are published in peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Black Studies, Gender Issues, Human and Society. Her research has a broad spectrum ranging from theory and methodology in Africology and Afrocentricity, race and racism, women’s rights, abolition, Black Women authors (19th to 21st century), African American history, and motherhood in antiquity.

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

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. 

Deadline for signing-up is Noon, Saturday, January 31, 2026

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 & Archive

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg – N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org

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Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band

Tanks to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum:

Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band is a Civil War era brass band portraying the brass band of the 2nd Division, 2ndCorps, 2nd Brigade of the Union Army of the Potomac in 1863. The Band plays the music of the Victorian era for concerts, ceremonies, balls, parades and commemorations. The band is authentically uniformed, playing music of the period on instruments that were correct for the time.  The program featured tunes played during the Civil War era, including Christmas songs that date back to the 1850’s, plus some vocal renditions from that period. Songs will include “Cheer Boys Cheer”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Shenandoah”, “Battle Cry of Freedom”, and “Dixie” (a personal favorite of President Lincoln.)

The music comes from manuscripts dating back to 1830, publications courtesy of the Library of Congress, and arrangements created for the band by our own members.

 

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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.