Tag: grand army of the republic museum

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Frankford Haunted History Tour

Another year, another great Haunted History Tour this past weekend!

In case you couldn’t join us, the Frankford CDC, the Historical Society of Frankford, St. Mark’s Church, Frankford Friends Meeting, South Jersey Ghost Research, and the Grand Army of the Republic Civic War Museum & Library (GAR) teamed up for our second annual haunted history tour of Frankford. We had a great crowd of folks young and old from throughout the City, and just loved showing them how fun and interesting Frankford truly is! From the crypt at St. Mark’s Church, to the artifacts in the GAR and the Historical Society, the stories and the experiences just got better and spookier throughout the night.

Of course, we couldn’t have put on the event without a little help from our friends at Revolution Cider (brewed right here in Frankford at Globe Dye Works), Fifth of a Farm, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route of Pennsylvania. The event wouldn’t have been the same without them!

And if you weren’t able to join us this year, we hope you will be able to when Halloween rolls around again – and in the mean time, check out some of the pictures we managed to snap here . Let us know if you spot an orb!

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Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library

Hugh Boyle

I visited the GAR Civil War Museum and Library on Sunday December 4th during their monthly public program.  I didn’t have much time to spend and so I did not get my fill of history, music, pictures, exhibits and stories from Hugh Boyle and Tom O’Toole.  I hope to do better next time.

There are lots of reasons to go to the GAR.  If you have an interest in the Civil War as we enter the 150 anniversary years of the conflict, this is a place to see some historic artifacts for yourself.  The GAR was the original Civil War veterans organization.

Google Old Baldy and General Meade and you will find a ton of hits.  Then troop on down to the GAR Museum and see what they have.  You will find Old Baldy himself.

Old Baldy

If you’ve been to Washington DC and toured and Ford’s Theater, you know about the house across the street (Peterson boarding house) where President Lincoln died.  On display at the GAR Museum is a piece of the pillow case where Lincoln lay which still has his blood still on it.  There is a great display of Lincoln material on hand.

Did you ever hear about Dr. Mary Edwards and her experience in the Civil War. You can see her tool kit right there on Griscom Street.  You got the Congressional Medal of Honor for her service.

The Ruan House itself is a historic gem.  It was built in 1796 and is on the National Register of Historic Sites.  It is in amazing condition and a treat to see.

28th Pennsylvania RegimentalBrass Band in Concert

An unexpected highlight of my brief visit was the performance by the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Brass Band.  They were doing music of the Civil War era and it was interesting to hear songs that the troops would have heard back in that time.    The venue at the museum is cozy and intimate with the musicians and audience in close proximity.  It is more like having a concert in your own living room.  That is the best way to enjoy this music and the acoustics were really great.

Put this place on your schedule.  It should not be missed.  Bring the kids.  They have parking in back.

 

 

 

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Haunted History Tour Wrap Up

We at the Frankford CDC thought our Haunted History tour this past weekend was a great success. We took forty five folks around Haunted Frankford – to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum & Library (GAR), the Historical Society of Frankford, Frankford Friends, and St. Marks Church. We were lucky enough to get a tour of some hidden spots in St. Marks Church – definitely worth the price of admission! See pics below (unfortunately no orbs or ghosts were caught on film, but maybe next time).

We were so pleased that so many folks turned out – we hope they had as good a time as we did, and learned something new about Frankford’s rich history.  

For anyone who was able to make it this past weekend, we’d love to hear what you thought (give us a call at 215-743-6580). Just like our Second Saturdays, we plan to organize this Haunted History tour again next year, so we want any and all suggestions you may have on how to make it even more interesting and spooky.

Last, a big thank you to all of our sponsors, including:

* St. Marks Church

* The Historical Society of Frankford: frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

* Frankford Friends: frankfordfriendsschool.org

* Grand Army of the Republic Museum & Library: garmuslib.org

* South Jersey Ghost Research: southjerseyghostresearch.org

* Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route: w3r-us.org 

* Just Good Scents: facebook.com/#!/pages/Just-Good-Scented/247993975219572

* Fifth of a Farm: fifthofafarm.com

* Revolution Cider: revolutioncider.com   

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Frankford Haunted History Tour, October 22nd

The Frankford Community Development Corporation (FCDC), the Historical Society of Frankford, St. Mark’s Church, South Jersey Ghost Research, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association will be organizing a haunted history tour of Frankford. The event will begin and end at the Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox Street, at 4:00pm, and will culminate in a reception at 6:00pm. Tickets are $6.00, and parking will be available at Frankford Friends School, also on the 1500 block of Orthodox Street.

Several of the participating organizations have been previously visited by the South Jersey Ghost Research, a group of investigators that conducts discreet investigations and field research using the latest scientific methods and tools as well as psychic investigators.  Learn of their findings at the various sites on the tour – which have been documented through photographs and sound recordings – and perhaps experience your own special phenomenon.
Frankford Community Development Corporation: Frankford CDC regularly organizes special events as part of its mission to revitalize the Frankford Avenue commercial corridor and its surrounding neighborhood. To celebrate Halloween, FCDC turned to its community partners to provide an interesting and fun way to learn about Frankford’s rich history by visiting neighborhood landmarks such as St. Marks Church, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, and the Historical Society – and hearing firsthand about hauntings that have taken place in and around those buildings.
“Our goal is to spotlight just how special our neighborhood is, and in the process we hope to draw individuals and families from throughout the Philadelphia area, so that they too can see all that Frankford has to offer,” said Michelle Feldman, Commercial Corridor Manager and Special Events Coordinator for the Frankford CDC. “Frankford’s unique and fascinating history is just one of the many wonderful assets our neighborhood possesses, and we believe our tour will show just that.”
For more information about the tour or to reserve your ticket, please contact Michelle Feldman at 215-743-6580. All ages are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult).  Space is limited, so be sure to call ahead.