The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)  was organized in 1866 in Illinois.  Its membership was limited to Union (Northern) Veterans of the Civil War.  Its purpose was to maintain fellowship for the men who fought to preserve the Union and to help widows, orphans, and handicapped veterans.  The G.A.R. motto was "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty".  By the 1880’s there were over 400,000 members across the United States.  Frank Daggett Post #35 in Litchfield had over 300 members during its existence.                                  

The Litchfield G.A.R. Hall is one of very few left in the nation and the only authentic one remaining in Minnesota and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It was designed by one of the members to look like a military fort.  The brick is local, from the Henry Ames brick yard which was just north of Litchfield.  Built in 1885, it was almost immediately given to the City of Litchfield with the understanding that after their last meeting it would be kept in original condition.  This Hall also served as the first public library in Meeker County and was for many years one of the main gathering places for community events.  

The man for whom the Litchfield post was named, Frank Daggett, was a local newspaper publisher with a fascinating personal history.  One of abolitionist John Brown’s most active associates, he happened to miss the ill-fated Harpers Ferry expedition.  During the Civil War, he became part of the 6th Minnesota Infantry and was involved in the U.S.-Dakota War in 1862 & 1863.  He later commanded two African-American heavy artillery regiments and became a pat of the Army of the Potomac.   

Daggett was an important part of the beginnings of the G.A.R. in Minnesota, and was the Minnesota G.A.R. Commander in Chief in 1867.  He worked as a journalist and printer on many prominent newspapers and moved to Litchfield in 1872 to start the Litchfield Ledger.  During this time he was elected clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives three times.  And he helped found the first G.A.R. post in Litchfield, although it did not remain active after his death in 1876.  The G.A.R. was reorganized in Litchfield in 1883 and was named for this fascinating man who accomplished a great deal in his 38 years.

A Civil War Veteran with quite a story who made Litchfield home was Albert Van Spence.  He was a slave until he was twenty years old.  Made to fight in the Confederate Army, he escaped and joined the Union Army and met Frank Daggett.  Albert Van Spence became well known in Litchfield.  He was the city lamplighter and did many other helpful jobs.  He was well known and respected in town.  One of his sons, Art, was on the 1900 championship Litchfield High School football team. 

Photographer C.L. Angell was another G.A.R. member who left a great deal of history.   Portraits he created line the north wall of the G.A.R.  Main Room, many pictures in our files are from Angell, and we even have a number of stereoscope slides.  Brick maker Henry Ames was a member of this post, and the building is made with his bricks as are many of the other buildings in downtown Litchfield.  Many other pictures and information about Civil War Veterans can be found here at the G.A.R. Hall.

The G.A.R. was a close-knit organization.  Every year there were ENCAMPMENTS where the veterans would gather for several days.  There were local, regional, and national encampments.  Litchfield hosted a regional encampment in 1889.

The Meeker County      Historical Society            Museum & G.A.R. Hall          

G.A.R. Adjutant General Stephenson wrote to the Second Annual G.A.R. Encampment that met in Minneapolis in 1867.  He  cautioned the group to be careful in the selection of officers.  “You want young, ardent, intelligent men, whom you are assured are endowed with energy and zeal, those who have been thorough soldiers and who are fully impressed with the rights of soldiers.  Beware of broken-down politicians and traitors and keep the Order out of politics.  But I have no fear of failures in Minnesota with such men as Comrades Daggett and Dudley…”

Frank Daggett

Albert Van Spence