LYNN — As the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum moves forward with renovations, the building is getting assistance from a likely source — the Friends of the GAR.
A charitable corporation, the Friends of the GAR is made up of Lynn residents, veterans, history buffs, and city officials trying to ignite the revitalization of the historic building.
The group, which raises funds to assist the trustees of the GAR, has donated $50,000 to the revitalization project. Funding came from various donors.
The project is also being funded by the city’s Department of Community Development and the American Rescue Plan Act.
“I am excited at the prospect of having a Civil War-centered museum and educational facility in downtown Lynn, and one that recognizes both the extraordinary role Lynn played in that momentous event and the role of Lynn and its veterans in all our wars,” John Sherman, president of the Friends of the GAR, said.
The building, located at 58 Andrew St., is one of the last in the U.S. still used for its original purpose — to honor those who fought to save the Union during the Civil War. It is listed on the National Register of History Places.
Built in 1885 with funds raised by local Civil War veterans, the GAR building has been underutilized in recent years and is in need of significant upgrades.
The first phase of the renovation project began with the installation of an elevator, accessible bathrooms, and updates to the first floor. The changes will enable broader use of the building and access to funding for further efforts.
“It was important to start the project because the deterioration in the building had reached a point where the building itself was in danger and the collection was suffering,” Sherman said. “And it was absolutely crucial that the building be handicap-accessible in order to be eligible for grants in the future.”
The trustees are also working on finding new uses for space in the building, and are launching a community-engagement program to discover the needs of Lynn veterans and nonprofit community organizations.
