Immerse Yourself in Civil War History in Litchfield

St. Louis Park Patch: Immerse Yourself in Civil War History in Litchfield

The Meeker County Historical Society is open Tuesday through Sunday.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War—the bloodiest conflict in the nation’s history that resulted in the deaths of over 600,000 Union and Confederate combatants and civilians.

To get a feel for this epic period, visit the Meeker County Historical Society in Litchfield, which is 65 miles west of the Twin Cities on Highway 12. The Historical Society is housed in a G.A.R. Hall, the only one still standing in Minnesota. The G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) was a fraternal organization founded after the Civil War and its membership was made up of Union veterans. Many G.A.R. halls were built throughout the North, but few remain today.

The one in Litchfield is open Tuesdays through Sundays from Noon to 4 pm. It contains a good number of Civil War artifacts as well as a 1868 log cabin, farming and blacksmithing equipment, clothing and American Indian items.

The Society is located in downtown Litchfield at 308 Marshall Ave., which is the main street of the city and is on the east side of the town square, Central Park.

Further information is available by calling 320-693-8911, emailing mchsgar@hutchtel.net or visiting www.garminnesota.org