Politics | Page 109

Souvenir spoon from G.A.R. encampment

Created by an unknown manufacturer for the Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment of 1896 held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

G.A.R. ribbon

Ribbon created for the 1884 Grand Army of the Republic National Convention held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

G.A.R. sack coat

G.A.R. sack coat worn by an unidentified veteran of the First Minnesota Regiment.

Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment, St. Paul

Veterans relaxing at Camp Mason during the 1896 National Encampment held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

St. Peter Grand Army of the Republic

Members of the St. Peter Post of the Grand Army of the Republic standing in formation, 1896.

St. Paul Fire Department headquarters, northwest corner of Eighth and Minnesota, decorated for the Thirtieth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic.

St. Paul Fire Department headquarters decorated for the Thirtieth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic

St. Paul Fire Department Headquarters decorated for the 1896 National Encampment.

2200 school children form a living flag at Grand Army of the Republic meeting, St. Paul

School children create the image of a large American flag at the 1896 National Encampment held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, Second Avenue South and Washington Avenue, Minneapolis

Decorative arch spanning a Minneapolis street during a Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment held in Minneapolis, 1884.

National encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, Minneapolis

National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic held in Minneapolis, 1884.

Grand Army of the Republic in Minnesota

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a fraternal organization which existed from 1866 to 1956. It was composed of veterans of the Union Army, United States Navy, Marines, and Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. The organization allowed veterans to communicate with one another and plan reunions. At its peak in 1890 it was a powerful organization, supporting the rights of veterans and primarily Republican politicians.

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