Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

About Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

The Grand Army of the Republic was the first veteran’s organization in the United States.  It was founded by Dr. Benjamin Stephenson and made up of nearly half a million men.

The fraternal organization provided assistance to disabled veterans, widows, and orphans.  It was composed of veterans of the Union Army in the Civil War.

The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial was created in 1907 by artist J. Massey Rhind and dedicated to Dr. Benjamin Stephenson.

It honors the veterans who were honorably discharged from the United States military at the end of the Civil War.

It is located at the corner of 7th and C Streets NW in Washington DC.

The memorial is free to visit 24/7/365.  It was opened on July 3, 1909 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 1978.

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Summary

Sadly, this memorial doesn’t get many visitors other than pigeons.  Many times, I find statues and memorials like this one while out on road trips and I don’t immediately know the history behind them.  They don’t usually have any signage that tells the history.

I love learning about what I saw when I’ve returned home and am going through pictures and looking things up that I am curious about.  This was one of those.  I only wish I knew about it while I was there.  I maybe would have spent more time there honoring its founder and the veterans of the American Civil War.

Have you been there?  I’d love to hear what you thought of it.  Did you see many of the pigeon friends?

Please drop a few lines in the comments box below and let me know how your visit went.

In the meantime, safe travels!

~Kris M.

P.S.  If you happen to use travel journals, be sure to check out the travel journal I created for my future Washington DC Road Trips.

Written by Kris M.