LGAR Headquarters

After many attempts at obtaining a National Headquarters for at least 100 years now, we can now call the MilitaryMuseum on the campus of the Ohio Veteran’s Home our new “Headquarters.”  The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic has had a long and close association at this location.  Well into the 1920’s the annual appointment of an “Entertainment Committee” was made to participate in all holidays and special events.  At least one visit was made yearly by our Ohio Department President to present gifts of cash as well as donations of thousands of items.  On June 2, 1922 the General M.F. Force Circle #86, LGAR was instituted at the home, and in April 1976 we instituted the Robert Burns Brown Circle #103, thus recognizing the two men most influential in establishing the Ohio Veteran’s Home.  We were honored to include Commander Brown’s daughter, Margaret Brown Kearney, as a member of our organization.  Over the years we have left visual evidence of our support in the form of such things as the 1930 pillar at the entrance gate, the bandstand, and a bronze plague presented on the occasion of the home’s 50th anniversary in 1938.

The LGAR Headquarters room is patterned from a late 1880’s LGAR meeting room, which was/is based upon the original Grand Army of the Republic meeting rooms, with stations for the Altar, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, Chaplain, Patriotic Instructor and head table (desk) for the President, Secretary & Treasurer.  The stations on loan in the room are from an original G.A.R. Hall.  Other furniture pieces in the room include locking display cases and book shelves, file cabinets of archival material that consists of genealogy for all LGAR members detailing their Civil War Veteran that they joined under, and original chairs that came from the LGAR Swissvale, PA Veteran’s Home.   Additional items include pictures from 1881 to present of LGAR Officers & members, a display of badges used through the decades, framed charters, photo albums and scrap books, a collection of proceedings from 1881 to present, original dyes & stamps and an original set of the “Bugle Call” our national newsletter, and much more.  It is the intent of local members in Ohio to participate at the Museum when there are special events/weekends, to be present during any Civil War Living History weekends, and to assist visitors with questions, genealogy assistance or education.

Ohio Veterans Home, Military Museum, LGAR National Headquarters
3416 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870
Call first for museum hours 419-625-2457 x1447
or contact the Headquarters Committee to arrange a tour.

Museum is closed indefinitely at this time.

Meet the National President Beth Null National President Beth Null joined the organization in 1973. She is a member of Lookout Circle #24, Department of Minnesota. Her mother Opal Nelson served as president in 2000-2001 and again in 2005-2006. Beth is dedicating her year of service to her mother’s memory. Beth’s grandmother Flora Ransom, sisters, Cleo Bonham and Camille Wallace, and nieces Julie Bonham and Erica Allen are all part of the great history of this circle. Beth gains her membership in LGAR through her great great grandfather Vanois Robinette, who along with his older brother Joseph, enlisted in the Minnesota Mounted Cavalry 1st Regiment. He enlisted on November 6, 1862 and was mustered out December 4, 1865. Beth is also the great great granddaughter of Martin Ransom. He joined the Fourth Minnesota Regiment, Company I along with his brother-in-law John Teats. John was killed in the Battle of Allatoona on October 5, 1864. He is buried in Marietta, Georgia National Cemetery, Section C, grave marker 1783. Sister Beth has a degree in microbiology from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Baylor University. She is currently working for Syneoshealth. She has won numerous sales awards over a thirty year career in pharmaceuticals. Beth is married to Mike Null and has a son Michael. She is an avid handbell ringer and has directed many bell choirs, with a highlight of playing at Carnegie Hall in November, 2021. Her father was a WWII veteran and her sister Cleo is USAFR (ret) and recently retired from a VA Hospital nursing career. Beth loves working for veterans and helping others do the same.

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