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Swords into ploughshares and bayonets into bookmarks
The Cultural Center boasts two impressive stained glass domes. Everyone knows about the Tiffany, but I was equally taken with the Healy and Millet windows in the G.A.R. Memorial Hall. Having never really looked at the wall decorations before, I was baffled with the prominent depictions of weapons. Didn't this used to be a library? Generally those are decorated with books and busts of poets, not pikes and lances.
This is what I get for not studying history. I read "G.A.R." as "Gar" and thought we were dealing with the bequest of a family of war profiteers rather than a pioneering organisation of American Civil War veterans. As impressed as I was by their advocacy for Black (male) suffrage, I was even more impressed to read, "In 1956, after the death of the last member, Albert Woolson, the GAR was formally dissolved". I suppose in these days of widespread mission creep, it's refreshing to see group say, "Well, we fulfilled our mission, so now it's time to close up shop."
I'm not sure how the G.A.R. first got into the business of attaching libraries to their meeting halls, but Chicago's is not the only example. But I'll be damned if it's not the most impressive. In any case, some very timely (and sorely belated) reading for Veteran's Day.
This is what I get for not studying history. I read "G.A.R." as "Gar" and thought we were dealing with the bequest of a family of war profiteers rather than a pioneering organisation of American Civil War veterans. As impressed as I was by their advocacy for Black (male) suffrage, I was even more impressed to read, "In 1956, after the death of the last member, Albert Woolson, the GAR was formally dissolved". I suppose in these days of widespread mission creep, it's refreshing to see group say, "Well, we fulfilled our mission, so now it's time to close up shop."
I'm not sure how the G.A.R. first got into the business of attaching libraries to their meeting halls, but Chicago's is not the only example. But I'll be damned if it's not the most impressive. In any case, some very timely (and sorely belated) reading for Veteran's Day.