The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Hall, 308 Marshall Ave. N., is one of Litchfield’s most well-known historical and visitor sites.

The Grand Army of the Republic was organized in 1866 in Illinois. Membership was limited to Union veterans of the Civil War, and its purpose was to maintain fellowship for the veterans, honor the dead and help orphans, widows and handicapped veterans of the war. Its motto was "Fraternity, Loyalty, and Charity."

By the 1880s, there were more than 400,000 members, and the Litchfield post had more than 300 members. It was eventually disbanded in 1949, but the Ladies of the G.A.R. still meet today.

The Litchfield post was named after Frank Daggett, a local newspaper publisher who was actively associated with abolitionist John Brown. He commanded two African-American heavy artillery regiments and was active in establishing the G.A.R. in Minnesota. Daggett was also one of the first Grand Commanders of the Minnesota G.A.R. He died in 1876 when he was 39 years old.

Post 35 is the only authentic G.A.R. Hall remaining in Minnesota. It was designed by a post member to look like a military fort, and it was built in 1885 for about $5,000. The building is on the National Register of Historical Places and has been preserved as nearly as possible to its original condition.

It was deeded to the city of Litchfield on the condition that it be kept as a memorial to Civil War veterans and be open to the public.

The G.A.R. Hall has hundreds of portraits of G.A.R. members and Civil War veterans, along with larger paintings of battle scenes. Portraits of Daggett, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant also hang prominently on the walls. Tall showcases display the old military rifles, flags and other Civil War artifacts, including medals and ribbons.

The Meeker County Historical Society museum is housed in a two-story addition to the G.A.R. Hall. The addition was built in 1960. The museum includes artifacts from pioneer days.

Historical reference books and archives for the Litchfield Independent Review are stored there.

Museum hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, call (320) 693-8911.