New England Civil War Museum

The New England Civil War Museum was established in March 1994. It is housed in the Memorial Building, a former Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall in Rockville, Connecticut. Its collection includes prints, paintings, lithographs, photos, and original papers. The museum has a large collection of Civil War items and the O'Connell-Chapman Library. In addition to material about the Civil War, it holds records related to the Grand Army of the Republic, made up of Union veterans.

Holdings and history

Founded in 1994 by the Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the museum encompasses the Hirst brothers' collection (14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry), the Thomas F. Burpee collection (colonel, 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry), and the Weston collection (musician, 5th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry). There are also numerous items of other veterans which have been given to the post.

The Museum contains the O'Connell-Chapman Library, which has over 1000 volumes of Civil War literature, in addition to original copies of the 128 volumes of The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. This was compiled by the US War Department and originally published from 1880-1901. The Library also owns original Civil War map books and several photographs.

The building has the Grand Hall, an outer room, and a kitchen. The museum and library, along with the hall and its rooms, are the property of the Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Recently, the Museum acquired part of its original property from the town of Vernon. Once owned by the GAR, the property was annexed by the town. The Ross S. Dent Reading Room has been returned to the Museum.

The Memorial Hall is also used for meetings by the Connecticut Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS).

See also

• Grand Army of the Republic Hall (disambiguation, listing of halls in numerous places)
• National Civil War Museum

External links

• "New England Civil War Museum", Official Website
• The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Making of America, Cornell University Digital Collection

Coordinates: 41°52′03″N 72°26′54″W / 41.8675°N 72.4483°W / 41.8675; -72.4483