GAR Museum Programs
The museum hosts an admission-free OPEN HOUSE from noon to 5:00 p.m. on the first Sunday monthly. Visitors entering the museum are transported back to the Philadelphia of the 1860's when they are greeted by museum volunteers attired in the blue uniforms of the Union Army, while the women bustle about the museum in hoop skirts and the clothing of the period.
Each Open House features a unique presentation at 1:30PM designed to provide the visitor with a first-person perspective on one of the aspects of the Civil War and life in Victorian-age America. Visitors may come face to face with General Meade or General Grant, discover the complexities of medicine, attend a Civil War dance, learn about the rigors of a soldier's life, see a fashion show, or discover the secrets of 1860's photography. Also open on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Please call before visiting museum to verify these weekday hours.
The GAR Museum is also open by appointment for tour groups, school trips, club and individuals interested in touring the museum and in personal research. As a part of its educational outreach activities, the museum also presents off-site historical and living history programs for scouts, and community groups and associations.
In conjunction with the regular meetings of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a series of lectures and discussions on topics of Civil War history are held at 8:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (unless otherwise announced). Speakers address a diverse range of issues that are of interest to all students of the war. These programs are open to the community without charge. The Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War meets the third Monday monthly (unless otherwise announced).
2013 Future Speakers(subject to change) |
| FEBRUARY 3:The 3rd USCT: Fatherly Guidance or Paternal Abandonment" by Katharine Hawkins |
| MARCH 3:Old Cemeteries of Kensington & Fishtown by Ken Milano |
| APRIL 7:Brevet BG Wright of N.J. by Besty Carpenter |
| MAY 5:GAR Decorations Day Traditions and Customs by Dr Andy Waskie |
| JUNE 2:"A Salute to Old Glory: the Story of the American Flag" by Kerry Bryan |
| JULY 7:NO OPEN HOUSE |
| JULY 20:Gettysburg Trial of the Philadelphia BrigadeDavid Trout |
| AUGUST 4:"In the Gift of The People", Andrew Johnson & the National Union Party Convention, Baltimore, MD June 6-8, 1864 by Michael Wunsch |
| SEPTEMBER 8:"Stealing a Locomotive" The Andrews Raid and the 'General' by Dr. Sid Copel |
| OCTOBER 6:Ghosts in the Museum by Kathy Smith |
| NOVEMBER 3:Major Longshore, Surgeon 147th PV by Blair Thron |
| DECEMBER 1:"A Short History of the 90 Day gunboats built in Philadelphia during Civil War" by Kurt Schweighauser |