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 until March of 2021
We are so excited to announce
the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic is now a proud supporter of
Pets for Vets®
A National Nonprofit Organization dedicated to providing a second chance for shelter dogs by rescuing, training, and matching them with American Veterans who need a companion pet.
More information on how you or your Circle can help will be available soon!
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit the website below.
https://www.petsforvets.com/
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Meet the National President
Elizabeth Rock
Sister Elizabeth Bury Rock joined the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic as a Jr Member of the Robert Burns Brown Circle in Ohio at the age of 5. Her first national convention in 1977 she served as page for National President Betty Koch, and served on the floor doing floor work throughout the 1980’s. In 2002 she formed the Elizabeth Thorn Circle in PA while residing in Gettysburg, and then finally transferred to the Margaret M. Orr Circle #105 in Ohio when it formed. She has served in all Circle Offices, and several Ohio Department offices.
Since returning to National LGAR meetings in 2004, there are so many things she has assisted with. From creating 20 years of Journals that were not done for Congress, to beginning the Archival database, helping to secure our museum headquarters, retyping of the Ritual and the By-Laws, Facebook and website initial creations, getting the mailing list up to date, creating our brochure, securing the proper Secretary/Treasurer Bond, seeking museum insurance, sewing membership badges, working to get our badge dies back, continually assists the National Registrars with genealogy inquiries, and the list goes on. She has traveled many, many times at her expense on behalf of our organization, from the re-dedication of our Julia Ward Howe plaque at the Willard Hotel in DC to a funeral procession of an actual Civil War Veteran in the middle of Iowa. On the National level she has served as Historian, Registrar, Assistant Secretary, and Secretary for a decade, as well as Treasurer. In the 5 years prior to assisting the Treasurer or serving as Treasurer the organization was floundering and suffered a $16,000 loss over that 5 years. Once assisting with the creation of a realistic budget and adherence there to, she helped to manage income and expenses to produce $6,200 in profit for the organization, increasing income by nearly $40,000 over the same time frame. In the last 17 years she has only missed one National Convention due to the disability of her husband.
Elizabeth has several Civil War Veterans from both sides of her family, and joined under her 4th great uncle Martin Durkee who served in the 29th OVI from Geauga County, Ohio. She is the first National President to have both her mother and mother-in-law as Past National Presidents. And like many before her, has her daughter as her National Secretary. She serves on the nonprofit board of her family’s Nationally Registered Historic Landmark, and is the store keeper for the nonprofit organization U.S. Army Brotherhood of Tankers. Elizabeth has been a seamstress and in business with her mother for 28 years now, providing historic clothing to the 19th century living history enthusiast.
She enters upon the duties of National President fully realizing the magnitude and significance of the responsibilities of this distinguished office and with a keen desire for higher ideals and ambitions which she hopes to see realized for our beloved Order. Her motto this year will be Fraterni—tea, Chari—tea & Loyal—tea, as she hopes to be able to travel and visit with all Departments and Circles under National to share a cup of tea together, just as has been traditionally expected of a National President. The campaign “Every Member Get a Member” will begin as well as a new “Worthy Donor Recipient Committee.”
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The National Brochure is available here.
Supplies can be ordered from the National Treasurer by mailing requests to:
Jan Stevenson
1024 Irvington Ave NE
Massillon, OH 44646
or by email here - Jan Stevenson
Checks should be made payable to
"National Organization, L.G.A.R."
Supplies Price List |
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Application Blanks (available via download as well) |
$0.10 |
Memebrship Badges, New |
$50.00 |
Rituals |
$ 3.00 |
Constitution and Bylaws |
$ 9.00 |
Receipt Books |
$ 1.50 |
Warrant Books |
$ 1.75 |
Membership Cards |
$ 0.10 |
Honorable Discharge Cards |
$ 0.10 |
Transfer Cards |
$ 0.10 |
Charter Application |
$25.00 |
Charter Replacement |
$25.00 |
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Organization Pamphlets 24 brochures (shipping) |
$ 6.00 |
Music and Words from Ode Card |
$ 1.50 |
| LGAR Sticker |
$ 0.50 |
| Officer Dangles for Badge |
$ 5.00 |
| Past Convention Ribbons and Medals |
Donation |
| Pets for Vets Dog Tags |
$ 5.00 |
Please contact National Treasurer for shipping cost prior to submitting your order. |
Forms and Report Blanks
This portion of this page will be moving to our new FORMS Page!
Below you will find several links for the Report Blanks that are necessary for the organization as a whole. If there are any questions or concerns please contact the National Secretary.
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