About General Lander Post 5 G.A.R. Memorial Hall and Museum

Welcome to the General Lander Post 5 Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Memorial Hall and Museum, a historic building located at 58 Andrew Street in Lynn, Massachusetts.

The hall was erected in 1885 with funds raised by local Civil War veterans as a memorial to the Union Army veterans of the Civil War.  It soon became the largest G.A.R. post in the country with 1,847 members. Post 5 held a position of prominence in the City of Lynn, the Commonwealth and the Nation for many years.

Its crowning glory is the enormous 56′ x 46′ main hall on the third floor, which retains the original furnishings and has walls filled with photos of Civil War veterans. Six more rooms have memorabilia from the Revolutionary War through the Korean War. The research library has an impressive built-in bookcase, which was designed and built by one of the founding veterans.

The Building was named after General Frederick W. Lander of Lynn and Salem. On August 6, 1861 Lander was commissioned Brigadier General of Volunteers.  General Lander was wounded at the battle of Balls Bluff and died of his wounds March 2, 1862 at Paw Paw, Virginia.

The Post’s first recruit and most notable Commander Captain John G.B. Adams contributed to the rise to prominence and national recognition. The post did not lose sight of their Motto “Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty”, by taking care of their own.  They paid out over $100,000.00 in support of veterans, widows, and orphans who were in need.

The Civil War began April 12, 1861.  At that time Lynn had a population of 19,083.  Out of that population 3,270 men from Lynn served in the Army or Navy during the Civil War.  Of that number Lynn lost 289 dead.

“The Special Acts of 1919” and the voters of Lynn accepting the conditions of the “Act” made the GAR Hall and Building a permanent Memorial to the Veterans of the Civil War.  The City of Lynn has control of the building and along with the Trustees has maintained and operated it ever since.

On May 7, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The hall is now the Grand Army of the Republic Hall & Museum

Major Artifacts

The Main Hall – (Just as the last Veteran left it)
Within the main hall one can find:

• 1243 photos of the original members
• the original rug and furniture
• the capstan of the USS Kearsarge (Famous for the battle off Brest, France 1864 with the CSS Alabama.)

Also within the Museum one can find:

• Confederate Flag (Stars and Bars)
• General Lander’s Boots and Saddle
• and much more.