The G.A.R. Hall is closed for construction

Reopening is set for late 2025.

1861 – 1865

Most Wars are fought over territory.  The Civil War was fought about ideas.

It was a war over nothing less than whether to preserve or end the United States of America

The Duty To Restore

“One of Massachusetts’ most Endangered Historic Resources”

Preservation, Massachusetts

A Hidden Treasure

Walk through the doors to enter a time capsule from the year 1886.

New season of lectures began on Thursday, Sept. 12!

Check back for upcoming presentations.

GAR Revitalization Project Groundbreaking

LCTV News covered the groundbreaking celebration for our Revitalization Project that took place on May 6, 2024.

The G.A.R. is the subject on LCTV’s “The History of Success”

Judy Josephs talks to curator Wendy Joseph and friends of the G.A.R. | Watch here →

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum of Lynn, Mass.

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum in Lynn is one of the last extant buildings in the United States still used for its original purpose — to honor the men who fought to save the Union during the Civil War. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for its “Significance in Military, Architectural and Social History.”

The Friends are a Team of dedicated military and history buffs, local lawyers and realtors, directors of cultural districts and people who cherish the rich history of this place that made such an impact on the city of Lynn.

Our Plans to Preserve and Restore

If you’d like to receive updates as we bring our Civil War memorial museum into the 21st Century, please join our mailing list.

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The GAR Medal

 

The Grand Army of the Republic or GAR introduced this medal in 1869.

The design of the badge, in use since 1869, is one that commemorates the great struggle in many ways.

Genuine medals were given only to bona fide members of the GAR, and were not to be sold or replicated. The medals were worn on occasions of any GAR meeting or any patriotic ceremony, especially when a veteran wanted to be identified as such to the public.

A Closer Look in the Hall

Click picture for full view

Most Recent Stories

Frederick Lander’s Pre-Civil War Achievements

Frederick Lander, Scientist of the Day from the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology Find out why Frederick Lander’s pioneering work in the American West was so impactful, and why the famous painter Albert Bierstadt honored Lander with his...

New Season of Lectures Begins!

Join the General Lander Civil War Round Table meeting this coming Thursday 9/12 at 7pm. Presenter is John Warner on “The Army of the James as part of Grant’s Overland Campaign” at LCTV, 181 Union St. in Lynn, or on Zoom:...

GAR Trustees accepting applications for Board of Directors

The GAR Trustees had a table with the Community Survey during “Lynnside Out 2024.” From left to right in photo: Obed Matul, Ward 2 councilor; Bradley Gosselin, GAR Trustee, Wendy Joseph, curator, GAR, and Pat Lee, GAR Trustee. We are also happy to announce that...

GAR Revitalization Project Groundbreaking

Lynn Community Television News covered the groundbreaking celebration for our Revitalization Project that took place on May 6, 2024. Find their report here: https://lynntv.org/watch-online/video/lctv-news-gar-revitalization-project-groundbreaking-may-3-2024/

General Lander CWRT meeting at the LCTV

It's that time again! We will hold our General Lander CWRT meeting at the LCTV, 181 Union St., Lynn, Mass. on Thursday, May 9 at 7:00pm. Our speaker is Andrew Rapoza. He will be speaking on "The Redemption of Richard F. Andres, Arsonist.” Join us in person, or...

Presentation: The Civil War at Perryville

Please join us next Thursday, April 11 at 7pm to hear a talk by Christopher Kolakowski, the Director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. In person at LCTV 181 Union St. in Lynn, or via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81035293516?pwd=WjVMY3RGaVFFTFR4QXlSMHdSd2FHZz09.

“Critical Race Theory and the American Civil War”

This just in! Watch our new video “Critical Race Theory and the American Civil War” with Round Table Vice President Robert Foster. Lecturer Robert Foster discusses how we use Critical Race theory to understand the cause of the American Civil War, 1861–1865. Watch...

George Washington and the French and Indian War / lecture

Please join our free lecture Thursday Feb 8 at 7pm at LCTV, 181 Union St., Lynn, or on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87609650781?pwd=Y0VZazlacjBwS21IeVpGUHJLUFhMQT09 Writer Scott Patchan will speak on George Washington and the French and Indian War.

“Critical Race Theory and the Civil War”

A lecture presented by Robert Foster on Jan. 10th Join us Thursday, January 10th for the Second Friday lecture series at LCTV, 181 Union St. Lynn at 7pm. Robert Foster will speak on "Critical Race Theory and the Civil War." Or join us on Zoom:...

Civil War Round Table lecture

RESCHEDULED! Please join our Civil War Round Table lecture at LCTV, 181 Union St. at 7pm Thursday NOVEMBER 9, or join us on Zoom →

Civil War Memorial Service (Oct. 4, 2023) | LCTV News

A Civil War Memorial Service was held on October 4, 2023 in the Civil War section of Pine Grove Cemetery. The Sons of Union Veterans honored those who served during the Civil War with speeches, a color guard, Living Historian Michael Crutcher as Frederick Douglass,...

“Defending Democracy” event discussion on LCTV

Watch GAR curator Wendy Joseph and Lynn Museum Executive Director Doneeca Thurston on the Lynn Community television show “The American Dream” with attorney Jim Carrigan speak about the upcoming Defending Democracy event October 4th at Lynn City Hall auditorium....

Civil War Photojournalism

Selections from the Medford Historical Society & Museum’s Civil War Photo Collection Co-sponsored by the GAR Hall & Museum of Lynn Thursday, October 12, 7:00 pm at the Medford Public Library, 111 High Street, Medford, MA Encounter Medford Historical...

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Please join our friends the North Shore Juneteenth Association for a Community Celebration with Frederick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July” Monday, July 3rd 11 AM at Frederick Douglass Park, at the corner of Union and Exchange St., Lynn.

“Respect for the Flag” Talk

Please join us live or via Zoom for our lecture this FRIDAY, JUNE 9 at 7pm. Al Smith will speak on “Respect for the Flag.” Watch on Zoom →

Celebrating Veterans at GAR Hall and Museum on 24 June 2023

On June 24th the GAR Hall & Museum presents a day for all veterans to come together and celebrate. Family members and non-veterans are also welcome to attend. From 2pm – 5pm we will have raffles, music, food, tours, presentations, photo booth, swag giveaways and a...

Lecture: “Defending Henry Wirtz”

Please join our in-person lecturer David Kellyas he presents “Defending Henry Wirtz”this Friday 5/12 at 7:00 pm at 58 Andrew St in Lynn. Or join us via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88914004344?pwd=a0VMNkZCZ3NDZXB4VlczVk1GTWtTdz09

“I Can’t Wait to Call You My Wife”

Please join our Friends at the Massachusetts Historical Society on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:00 pm for their program “ ‘I Can’t Wait to Call You My Wife’: African American letters of Love & Family in the Civil War Era.” Read about it here:...

A Grand Project for the Grand Army Student Researchers

Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum curator Wendy Joseph helps Lynn Classical student Allyson De leon dig through Ancestry.com in search of the genealogy of a Lynn Civil War veteran. (Spenser Hasak) Lynn Classical students are tracking down descendants of Civil...

Joe Zellner Zoom Presentation, Friday, Feb. 10

Zoom Lecture this Friday, February 10 at 7 pm. Our Speaker is Joe Zellner, a member of the 54th MVIR, Co A. He will do a 3rd person presentation with documents in a PowerPoint program. Watch on Zoom:...

Museum Tour with Robert Matthias on 12/9/22

On December 9, 2022 Robert Matthias, Curator Emeritus and GAR Trustee hosted a tour of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall & Museum in Lynn, Mass. We captured the entire event on video so you can watch it on YouTube or on our Videos page. If anyone knows the...

We’re #1!

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum is #1 in Lynn Main Streets’ list of places to visit! https://www.lynnmainstreets.org/visit →

Barbara Gannon talk on “Massachusetts and the GAR”

Please join us this coming Friday, September 9th at 7:00pm to hear Scholar and Author Barbara Gannon of the University of Central Florida speak on “Massachu­setts and the GAR.” Watch the presentation on Zoom:...

G.A.R. Hall Open House, Sat. Sept. 25

G.A.R. Hall Open House, Sat. Sept. 25

The Trustees of the GAR present the Grand Army of the Republic Trails and Sails Open House on Saturday, September 25th from 9–5 https://trailsandsails.org/events/grand-army-of-the-repoublic-of-lynn-hall-museum-open-house/