
NPS expands network of sites that explore the post-Civil War era
The National Park Service has added seven locations around the U.S. to a nexus of museums and historical sites that help tell the story of the United States during and after the Civil War.
The Reconstruction Era, dating between 1861 and 1900, 'is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood periods in American History and includes stories of freedom, education and self-determination,' the service said in a news release.
'We are very excited to work with these sites which are being added to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network,' Park Superintendent Laura Waller said in a statement. 'They represent a wide variety of the types of institutions engaged in preserving the story of Reconstruction around the country.'
Advertisement
The places being added to the park service's Reconstruction Era National Historic Network include Tolson's Chapel, an African American church and cemetery in Maryland that was used as a school between 1866 and 1899.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fort Carson commemorates D-Day's 81st anniversary
(FORT CARSON, Colo.) — Soldiers from Fort Carson and the 4th Infantry Division marked the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, June 5, at the Mountain Post. On June 6, 1944, approximately 130,000 American and Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, ultimately turning the tide for Allied troops in World War II. Thursday's ceremony honored the service and sacrifice of 4th Infantry Division soldiers who fought during both D-Day and WWII. A few soldiers also choose to re-enlist ahead of the solemn milestone. 'I am honored to serve in such a great military force,' said SPC Evan French. 'It also allows me to honor those who have fallen in combat, no matter what date, or year, or time.' In total, 197 4th Infantry Division soldiers lost their lives during that fateful battle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Indianapolis Star
7 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
D-Day in photos: See the historic landings
US paratroopers, carrying full equipment, walk in single file to board their transport - a DC-3 Dakota - for the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Hulton Archive, Getty Images American General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander for the 1944 cross-channel invasion of the continental mainland, giving orders to the paratroopers before the landing operations during the Second World War on June 6, 1944. AFP, US National Archives/AFP Via Getty Images US troops in landing craft, during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Keystone, Getty Images US troops prepare to disembark from landing crafts during D-Day, June 6, 1944, after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches. D-Day is still one of the world's most gut-wrenching and consequential battles, as the Allied landing in Normandy led to the liberation of France which marked the turning point in the Western theater of World War II. US National Archives/AFP Via Getty Images Bombs are unloaded from a Norwegian merchant ship onto an American amphibious landing craft during the Invasion of Normandy by allied forces on June 6, 1944. Keystone Features, Getty Images US Assault Troops seen landing on Omaha beach during the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Keystone, Getty Images In the distance American Infantrymen are wading towards the beach on the Northern Coast of France during the D-Day Landings of June 6, 1944. Keystone, Getty Images American soldiers on an invasion craft during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. PNA Rota, Getty Images American troops helping their injured friends from a dinghy after the landing ship they were on was hit by enemy fire during the Allied invasion of France on D-Day on June 6, 1944. Fox Photos, Getty Images British commandos who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, set out to capture a Nazi gun site, which is protected by enemy snipers. Keystone, Getty Images

Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Secrets of a fortress: Inside Litchfield's GAR Hall
Jun. 5—, Minn. — Visitors to the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in this central Minnesota city are able to step back 140 years thanks to the decision of the Civil War veterans who built it. The deed for the property, turned over to what was then the village of Litchfield, spelled out that the building was to be preserved and used in a manner that maintained its original purpose — to honor Civil War veterans and preserve their history. "The building itself is the first GAR hall built in the state," Meeker County Museum Executive Director Danelle Erickson said in an interview for in 2022. Other Grand Army of the Republic posts formed in the state of Minnesota had gathered in homes or other available spaces. The Grand Army of the Republic was first organized by Union veterans of the Civil War in 1866 in Illinois. The states that the organization's purpose was to "maintain fellowship for the men who fought to preserve the Union and to help widows, orphans, and handicapped veterans." The Grand Army of the Republic conducted regular meetings and had thousands of posts throughout the United States, along with thousands and thousands of members, according to Erickson. There were close to 300 members of the Litchfield post throughout the years. The first Grand Army of the Republic post in Litchfield was formed in 1874 but died out with the death of the founder two years later. Another was formed in 1883, and many of the first meetings were in the county courthouse, according to another Members of Frank Daggett Post No. 35 decided in March 1885 that they needed their own building, and construction began in May of that year, using cream-colored brick from the local brickyard. The cornerstone was laid by Memorial Day, according to the online history. The building is described as "reminiscent of a small, medieval fortress" with features that include a central tower, turrets that project above the parapet wall and an inscribed stone with the raised letters "GAR" and the 1885 date. "It's very memorable from the outside, that fortress look. It just kind of shows a lot about the men that were here at the time," Erickson said in the 2022 interview. The bulk of the work was completed by October of 1885. One of the final things added was a "spectacular, 16-globe chandelier," according to another Today, the Meeker County Historical Society is the caretaker of the GAR Hall. The Meeker County Museum, built in 1961, is attached to the back of the building. Officially called "Meeker County Museum at the GAR Hall," it includes a pioneer cabin and exhibits that include artifacts relating to the history of the Dakota people, schools in Meeker County, Minnesotans serving in war, medicine and more. The two-story museum also houses a research library for genealogy enthusiasts. In the anteroom of the GAR Hall are Civil War artifacts, including cannons, literature and photos of important players in the war. The old wooden chairs upon which veterans sat during meetings are set up in the main hall as if ready for a meeting. The altar stands at the front of the room for use by a veteran leading the meeting. Photos of members line the walls, and the decor is original to the time. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall was added to the on May 21, 1975. The areas of significance for the designation are architecture and social/humanitarian. When Erickson became museum director, she learned that some local citizens were concerned the history of the GAR Hall was not being maintained in accordance with the deed. Historic documents, including the 1885 deed, were then reviewed to better understand the intentions of the original members who had deeded the building to the city. Erickson said the goal of all parties involved was the same — preserving the history but just with some "different views on how that was done." The result of their work was the creation of a handbook detailing the proper care and upkeep of the facility. The GAR Hall and museum, located at 308 N. Marshall Ave. in Litchfield, are open year-round for walk-in tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. GAR Hall programming includes the second Thursday of every month, featuring various speakers throughout the year. "The Civil War, especially for American history, is pretty much one of the most written about book-wise," Erickson said in 2022. "Each year there are thousands of books, hundreds at least, on the Civil War. It's very much a topic that people are interested in, and continue to be interested in." For more from our Lakes Country Treasures series, click on the gems in the map below.