Everyone makes mistakes, and the G.A.R. Hall is no different. Over the years, we’ve realized some of the stories shared weren’t always accurate. Here are three examples.
Chandelier
In 1969, a script was written for volunteers to use when giving tours at the G.A.R. Hall. The tour points out the beautiful 16-globe chandelier and says it was brought to the Hall from Louisiana. Over the years, the story grew to say the light fixture had been taken during the Civil War from a “house of ill-repute” in New Orleans.
In truth, the chandelier was purchased for $125 from Boston. A chandelier expert told us it is probably from Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing. It was ordered in 1885 by Branham & Hickcox of Litchfield and installed once the Hall was complete.
General Thomas
Another artifact talked about in the 1969 tour is a huge portrait of General Grant. The tour says the artist painted it from memory. Perhaps the tour’s author included the “from memory” bit to explain why the painting isn’t a very correct likeness of Grant. But the real reason the painting only slightly resembles the famous general is because it isn’t actually Grant.
Instead, the painting is of General George Henry Thomas. Although not as famous as Grant, Thomas was one of the Union’s leading generals. The painting was probably one of many displayed at various G.A.R. reunions. When the G.A.R. Hall opened in 1885, one newspaper account mentioned “colossal” portraits of several Union generals on the walls. Perhaps Thomas’ portrait wasn’t the only huge painting to grace the walls.
There is one fun detail in the painting, something we might call an “Easter egg” today. General Thomas was a two-star general, but the artist might have thought Thomas deserved better and painted three stars on his shoulder epaulet.
Van Spence
Lastly is the story of Albert Van Spence. Van Spence was born into slavery in the South but later escaped and joined the Union Army in 1865. Around 1880, Van Spence and his family came to Litchfield. But what brought them here?
One theory is Van Spence knew Frank Daggett and followed him to Litchfield after the war. Daggett was a newspaperman and started the first G.A.R. Post in Litchfield. He was also a leader of a unit of “Colored Troops” in the Civil War. While it’s possible the two men met during the war, the window of opportunity was pretty slim. In addition, Daggett died in 1876, a few years before Van Spence came to Minnesota.
What we do know about Van Spence is that he, his brother-in-law, and two other Black men had been living in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and working in the brick industry in the 1870s. The Fond du Lac brick industry was dying out, and by 1880 the four men were working at the brickyard north of Litchfield. Most of the men moved on, but Van Spence and his family stayed for over two decades.
Curious to see this history and more for yourself? Stop by the Museum and G.A.R. Hall!
コメント