OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Minnesota Historical Society
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Dept. of Minnesota.
Ladies of the GAR
records.
1889-1993.
Minute books, financial records, and
miscellaneous papers, including membership applications, printed materials, and
some correspondence, documenting the activities of the Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic, Department of Minnesota, and several of its local circles.
3.0 cu. ft. (3
boxes).
See Detailed Description section for shelf
locations.
HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF THE
LADIES OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
The Minnesota Department of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the
Republic was organized in Minneapolis on February 23, 1893. Composed of widows
and close relatives of Civil War veterans, the organization assisted the Grand
Army of the Republic in its commemorative and patriotic programs and
activities. The organization also operated a home in Anoka for its members.
Information in this sketch was obtained from the records.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE RECORDS
A number of separate collections were brought together to form this
body of department-level records. They include minute books, financial records,
and miscellaneous materials of the department as well as from various of its
local circles. In general, the minute books and financial records contain
information on the routine business of the circles, the election of officers,
memorials to deceased members, the establishment of the home at Anoka, social
affairs, and related matters.
OTHER FINDING AIDS
A print version of this finding aid is available in the repository;
filed under the heading: Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Dept. of
Minnesota.
CATALOG HEADINGS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Topics:
Women -- Societies and clubs --
Minnesota.
Organizations:
Grand Army of the
Republic. Dept. of Minnesota.
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Abraham Lincoln
Circle No. 13 (Minneapolis, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Biddle Circle No. 38 (Saint Paul, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Bloomington Circle
No. 97 (Bloomington, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Col. Hecker Circle
No. 65 (New Ulm, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Elizabeth Reem Circle No. 46 (Morris, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Emily J. Stone Circle No. 16 (Pine City, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Lake City Circle
No. 31 (lake City, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Riverside Circle No. 16 (Pine City, Minn.).
Ladies of the Grand Army
of the Republic. D.B. Searles Circle No. 83 (Saint Cloud, Minn.).
Places:
United States -- History -- Civil War,
1861-1865 -- Societies, etc.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series
here]. Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Dept. of Minnesota
Records. Minnesota Historical Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples
Accession Information:
Accession number: 2448; 5209; 6793; 12,155; 14,023; 14,091; Archives
2004-22
Processing Information:
Processed by: Kathryn A. Johnson, January 1989; Dennis Meissner,
December 2004
Catalog ID number: 1711733
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
149.D.13.4F
1
Dept. of Minnesota Records:
Minutes of annual conventions,
1893-1924.
Miscellaneous records,
1889-1933, 1956.
Monument Association: Historical sketch and lists of
members and officers,
1896-[1897?].
Its activities are briefly noted in the Department's minute
book (pp. 8, 10).
General orders,
1951-1993.
Scattered numbers.
Transfer certificates,
1892-1906.
Certificates of achievement,
1981.
Receipts and disbursements record books,
1949-1969.
2 volumes.
Abraham Lincoln Circle No. 3 (Minneapolis,
Minnesota):
Miscellaneous papers,
[192-]-[195-], 1965.
Photocopy (1920s-1950s) of the record of eligibility [membership
list] for the circle, and a history of the GAR (1965).
Emily J. Stone Circle No. 16 (Pine City,
Minnesota):
Membership lists,
1895-1918.
Application forms,
1908-1940.
Riverside Circle No. 16 minute book,
May 18, 1897-Dec. 27, 1898.
1 volume.
The volume actually contains minutes of the Riverside Circle No.
15, also in Pine City. Although no information could be located about this
circle, it is assumed to be a predecessor.
Minute books,
February 1, 1908-July 2, 1946.
4 volumes.
Ledgers,
1911-1931.
2 volumes.
Lake City Circle No. 31 (Lake City,
Minnesota):
Minute books,
1933-1956.
2 volumes.
Biddle Circle No. 38 (St. Paul, Minnesota):
Historical sketch and letters,
undated and 1955, 1956.
Minute book,
October 10, 1950-September 11, 1956.
1 volume.
Elizabeth Reem Circle No. 46 (Morris,
Minnesota):
Membership lists, applications, and charter,
1899-1950.
Minute books,
1903-1931.
5 volumes.
Information about Elizabeth Reem (d. 1898) is recorded on the
first page of the 1915-1921 minute book.
151.H.16.5B
2
Minute book,
1956-1964.
1 volume.
Receipts and disbursements record,
January 1907-March 1935.
3 volumes.
D.B. Searles Circle No. 83 (St. Cloud,
Minnesota):
Membership register,
February 16, 1911-September 13, 1934.
1 volume.
Col. Hecker Circle No. 65 (New Ulm,
Minnesota):
Established February 12, 1904.
Charter (photocopy),
February 19, 1904.
Minute books,
1904-1931, 1953-1966.
5 volumes, 1 folder.
Receipts and disbursements record,
1908-1965.
1 volume.
Membership dues books, 1904-1970.
3 volumes, 1 folder.
The books include Rolls Calls or membership lists, and a record
of dues paid by each member; indexed by member name.
Miscellaneous papers,
undated, 1904-1963.
The papers include newspaper clippings, blank forms,
correspondence, lists, notes, and related papers.
Membership applications,
1904-1942.
[Membership record] entitled Propositions in Col. Hecker
Circle No. 65,
1904-1939.
151.H.16.6F
3
Bloomington Circle No. 97 (Bloomington,
Minnesota):
Established March 25, 1920.
Minute books,
1920-1986.
7 volumes.
Treasurer's books,
1920-1986.
5 volumes.
Include a record of dues paid by each member, and a record of
the circle's receipts and disbursements.
[Membership record] entitled Propositions in Bloomington
Circle No. 97,
1920-1981.
Historian's Book,
1920-ca. 1971.
1 volume.
Includes summaries of meeting minutes, newspaper clippings,
officers' reports, correspondence, photographs, obituaries, and related
papers.
Record of eligibility [membership list],
1920-1921.
Miscellaneous papers,
undated, 1907-1993.
Include service certificates for Civil War veterans,
correspondence, and newspaper clippings.