Lynn’s ‘national treasure’ ready for July facelift

LYNN – Billed as a “national treasure” by one of its admirers, the Grand Army of the Republic building receives its first of what city curators hope will be several renovations beginning next month.Workers will repair windows and brick work on the northeast side of the building that receives the brunt of winter weather. Curator Robert Matthias hopes the $36,000 repair job marks the start of much-needed additional work on the building at 58 Andrew St.”Hopefully we can get the exterior done, then the interior and eventually restore the building’s front to add ornamental details,” Matthias said.The building’s roof is in good shape, but the last significant repairs were made in the 1980s and an architectural study estimated the building needs several million dollars worth of renovations.From 1866 to 1919, the Grand Army building was a place where political wheeling and dealing flourished and where business got done. It was also a place where Union Army veterans told war stories and honored their service and sacrifice with ceremonies steeped in pomp and circumstance.”Because of its size, this hall was able to work hard for all veterans,” said Civil War Roundtable President Dexter Bishop.The Roundtable is one of several organizations meeting regularly in the hall. Its dedication to discussing Civil War history highlights the GAR’s collection of armaments and uniforms and its bookshelves loaded with Civil War history.Civil War historians conduct research in the building and Matthias leads school groups through its rooms filled with rusting sabers, paintings and tree branches riddled with shrapnel that flew in the heat of Union and Confederate clashes.Bishop said efforts by Matthias and the Grand Army board of trustees have ensured the building is one of the best-preserved Grand Army halls in the country. Other halls across the country include one in Philadelphia and a small hall in Marblehead.”This place is a national treasure,” he said.Matthias said local legislators are working to set aside $100,000 to pay for additional work on the building, including repairs to water-damaged walls and ceilings. He hopes those taxpayer dollars can be matched with private donations.”Hopefully, between all of us, we will be able to accomplish the task,” he said.The building’s centerpiece, a top floor hall with upholstered benches and walls covered with Union veterans’ photographs, is in relatively good condition.Bishop said the hall is more than a museum; it is a tribute to how veterans from another century worked to help comrades and honor their sacrifice.The Civil War Roundtable and similar organizations like the Sons of Union Veterans are expanding their efforts beyond the GAR building to restore Civil War era graves in Pine Grove Cemetery.They rededicated the graves on Memorial Day and Bishop said federal assistance may be available to restore the marker stones of Civil War era Medal of Honor recipients.