G. A. R. Hall / G. A. R. Hall

The Samuel W. Grinnell Post No. 283 was granted its charter by the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) on October 6, 1884. The post operated until 1934, at which time it was disbanded. Members built this hall in 1898-99. Dedicated in October 1899, it contains flags, medals, photographs and other mementos of the Civil War and of the Sunfield veterans of that war. Furniture, ritual equipment and records of this G.A.R. post are also kept here. In 1899 members planted the three maple trees at the front of the property, dedicating them to the memory of Generals Grant, Sheridan, and Sherman. The two cannons on either side of the hall were brought to Sunfield by the G.A.R. in 1900. The G.A.R. was founded in 1866 as a veterans association to assist Union veterans and their widows and orphans. The G.A.R. and several of its allied orders have used this hall since its completion in 1899: Samuel W. Grinnell Post No. 283, G.A.R. (1899 to 1934); Woman’s Relief Corps No. 62 (1899 to 1925); Samuel W. Grinnell Camp No. 17, Sons of Union Veterans, U.S.A., (1918 to 1925); Helen Edwins Tent No. 30, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (beginning in 1926); and Curtenius Guard Camp No. 17, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (beginning in 1983). In 1987 the hall was owned by the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. This marker was dedicated on Memorial Day (May 30) during the Michigan Sesquicentennial.