The G.A.R. and Memory of Union in Lynn

I want to take this opportunity to thank Dexter Bishop, Al Smith and the rest of the Civil War Round Table of the North Shore for a wonderful evening. It was as enjoyable a speaking engagement as I can remember. The audience was receptive, asked engaging questions and kindly bought up most of the books I brought for sale. I am looking forward to working with this group again in May, when I will help to run a workshop for area teachers at the G.A.R. Hall.

That said, even if no one showed up for my talk it still would have been a memorable evening as I got a chance to tour Lynn’s beautiful G.A.R. Hall. I was unprepared for what I saw and on more than one occasion during the tour was simply overwhelmed. The rooms are littered with items related to General Frederick W. Lander, painting, flags, books and a wide range of artifacts from various battlefields. The meeting room itself is the prize. It is in pristine condition and a testament to the living memory of the men of Lynn who helped to save the Union. You literally step back into the 1890s and is one of the most impressive sites of Civil War memory that I have ever seen.

At the beginning of the tour Mr. Bishop asked if I had seen the list of top 10 Civil War sites in the Boston area that is included in the most recent issue of The Civil War Monitor. He was visibly proud. Mr. Bishop and the rest of the group failed to make the connection that I was the author of the article and it changed the entire dynamic of the evening. Apparently, the list is getting some local/regional attention and will likely help to procure additional funds for improvements to the building. I could not be more pleased.

The photos below do not do justice to the place.