Name/Title
Grand Army Hall Building | 6 Green Street, Eastport, Maine | I7-0C4-37 | District #61Entry/Object ID
061Description
This two and half story wood frame building was built in the 1820s or early 1830s as a vestry space for the North Baptist church that was built in 1819 and located several blocks away on Washington Street. When the North Baptist church building was raised upwards in 1881 and a vestry space added below their former vestry building was sold to the local Civil War veterans group, Grand Army of the Republic, Meade Post No. 40. The building became their Grand Army Hall and was dedicated in 1884. The second floor was used as a meeting hall The first floor was initially rented out as a tenement and the third floor was used as a kitchen and social hall. Soon afterwards the second floor was opened up by the removal of the third floor and a series of largely stenciled murals were painted on all four sides of the enlarged space by local decorative painter, Harry Harrington. In 1897, large letters for Meade Post No 40, G.A.R. were painted on the front of the building. After the Grand Army post disbanded in the early 20th century, the building was taken over by the American Legion Hall. They installed a new drop ceiling on the second floor blocking the earlier Civil War mural from view. The building was sold to private individuals in 2009 and the Civil War mural was rediscovered. The dropped ceiling was removed allowing the mural to be viewed again. In 2014 the building was gifted to the Tides Institute & Museum of Art. In 2020, they had the original lettering on the front of the building replicated by Tessa Greene O’Brien of South Portland, Maine. They also had the Civil War murals restored by mural restorer, Tony Castro of New Gloucester Maine over a two year period in 2021-2022. Photographs of the mural can be seen on the Tides Institute & Museum of Art’s website: https://www.tidesinstitute.org/civil-war-murals/.
From Eastport Walking Tour Brochure, 2010:
The American Legion/Vestry Green Street. This building was built in the 1820s or early 1830s as a vestry for the Baptist church. It was used by the Frontier Guards in the 1860s and later by the GAR., who let out the downstairs to the Salvation Army in the 1890s. Today the brass cannon that fired salutes next to the hall is now on the library lawn.
• From Eastport Sentinel, August 9, 1882, p.3,c.1: “The Baptist Chapel, on Green St., will be sold at public auction next Friday.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, October 4, 1882, p.3,c.1: “The Frontier Guards have purchased the Green Street Baptist Vestry of J.S. Pearce, Esq., who bought the building and land at a recent auction sale. The company has long required a suitable place for storing their rifles, uniforms, equipments and other State property, in connection with their drill room, and have now succeeded in getting such a place, which can be fitted up to suit their convenience and can be enlarged if necessary, as there is spare ground on each side of the building. The company at their Monday evening meeting unanimously voted to contribute the amounts due them for pay at their State muster in August, which with the amount voted by the town from armory rent received from the State, and contributions from our citizens, furnishes nearly enough to pay for the building.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, January 17, 1883, p.3,c.1: “THE FRONTIER GUARDS ARMORY.—Upon the completion of the cases for their uniforms, guns and equipments, the Frontier Guards can congratulate themselves in having and owning one of the best, if not the best fitted up armory in the State. The cases which are just completed present an attractive appearance; they have glass fronts, and the contents, neatly and uniformly arranged all tend to improve the appearance of the armory. The finish of the cases is in ash and black walnut. The joiner work done by E.E. and H.C. Newcomb shows a handsome job and the filling, numbering, etc., by Messrs. Harrington & Campbell artistically completes the work. A handsome black walnut moulding surmounts the cases and in time the members will have some neatly framed pictures arranged over them. Each case has a key that will unlock that case only, the Captain and Armorer having master keys to fit all. It is expected that Harrington will do some further decorating of the hall, after which the Guards will probabdy have an “opening” in their new armory and allow their friends a chance to inspect it.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, January 24, 1883, p.3,c.1: “Harrington is at work upon an ornamental design for the armory of the Frontier Guards; he expects to make a handsome job of it.”
• From Eastpozt Sentinel, February 7, 1883, p.3,c.1: “Harrington has finished a hand some design for the armory of the Frontier Guards. It will go upon an end wall of the armory to take the place of an old motto and consists of a representation of the United States Coat of Arms, flags, shield etc., with name of the company, date of organization, State of Maine Coat of Arms and motto, the last upon a white silk flag; all of which, is surmounted by the American Bird. Harrington has done himself credit and the Guards have in elegant ornament for their already handsome armory.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, February 7, 1883, p.3,c.3: “The Leavitt Guards, the new reserve militia company, were organized at the Frontier Guards Armory last Thursday evening, Captain Nutt presiding over the election, which resulted as follows: J.M. Swett, Captain, John Abrams, 1st Lieut., Michael White, 2nd Lieut. The company has a good set of officers and an able looking lot of members. There are enough young men in Eastport for two good companies and the time they spend in drilling could be spent in many a worse way. They have hired the Green Street vestry occupied until recently by the North Church and have commenced drilling. Their chief ambition, some of them say, is to beat the Frontier Guards in drilling. Members of the latter company remark that the ambition is a worthy one and that the new company must attend strictly to business in order to get ahead of them. A friendly rivalry will do no harm and will be an incentive to both companies."
• From October 10, 1883, p.3,c.2: "The G.A.R. Supper in their new quarters, last evening, was well patronized and a usual first class supper was furnished."
• From Eastport Sentinel, October 10, 1883, p.3.c.2: ”Post Meade, G.A.R., have purchased the Green Street Vestry, formerly occupied by the North Church Society. The building is being put in good order for occupancy, the lower part for a tenement and the upper story for an armory for the Post. The price paid was $1000.“
• From Eastport Sentinel, October 17, 1883, p.3,c.1: "Post Meade G.A.R., is making arrangements for another Ball, to be held Monday evening Oct. 29th. The money realized by the Post from dances and other entertainments will be used in repairing and fitting up their new hall."
• From Eastport Sentinel, October 24, 1883, p.3,c.1: "Posters are out for the Grand Army benefit ball on the 29th, next Monday evening. The object of the dance is a worthy one and no doubt there will be a large attendance. The Frontier Orchestra will furnish music. Refreshments will for sale in the Hall."
• From Eastport Sentinel, October 31, 1883, p.3,c.1: "Owing to the storm on Monday evening the Grand Army dance was postponed until Thursday evening. We learn that gross receipts amounted to about $100, which will give the boys a good lift towards fitting up their new quarters."
• From Eastport Sentinel, January 30, 1884, p.3,c.3: “G.A.R.—The hall and other rooms which have been lately fitted up by Post 40, G.A.R., in their building upon Green Street, make a great improvement over the quarters they have been using for a number of years past. The main hall is the room formerly occupied by the North Church as a vestry. The walls and ceiling of the hall have been tastefully tinted and frescoed by Harrington, and a stage with drop curtain, which was paid for by an amateur entertainment given lately in the hall, adds to its attractiveness. In the third story the comrades are fitting up two rooms for a social hall and kitchen. Everything is neat and tastefully arranged and the members of the order can but feel proud and satisfied with their present quarters.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, February 13, 1884, p.3,c.1: “Dedication of G.A.R. Hall.—The comrade[sic] of Post 40, G.A.R. have been preparing for the dedication of their new quarters, fitted up this winter on Green Street, and have issued an invitation for the comrades of Post Campbell of Pembroke, who are expected to be present with their ladies, to assist in the interesting ceremonies. The dedication will take place to-morrow evening. On account of limited accommodations invited guests can only be admitted.“
• From Eastport Sentinel, February 20, 1884, p.3, c.4-5:
"Dedication of G.A.R Hall.
—————
The dedication of the new G.A.R. Hall on Green Street took place last Thursday evening and proved a pleasant and interesting occasion. The supper was partaken of by a large number of invited guests, including members of out of town Posts and their ladies, friends and relatives of the comrades, etc. The supper, furnished in the banquet hall on the third floor, was highly spoken of. At about 8:30 o'clock Commander Andrews called to order, and after a short prayer by Rev. T.W. Brown, stated the object of the gathering, giving, some statistics concerning the remarkable growth of the order and closing with some well timed remarks appropriate to the occasion. Comrade Harrington then acted as master of ceremonies and called upon the following speakers: N.B. Nutt, Rev. C.W. Whitcomb, Dr. J.M. Jonah, Rev. Mr. Martin, Rev. Mr. Jenkyns, Mr. N.C. Brown of Post Campbell, Pembroke, Comp. Reynolds of Post Haycock, Calais, E.E. Livermore, Esq., Comrade R. Parker of Post Meade and Capt. Nutt of the Frontier Guards. The speeches were short and none the less interesting and entertaining. Rev. C.W. Whitcomb, who enlisted as a private at the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, and served through the war, spoke earnestly and feelingly concerning his love for the soldier boys and for the old flag. Most of the audience were surprised when Rev. Mr. Martin announced himself as a paroled prisoner from Lee's army: That he had enlisted in the confederate service at the first of the war at Charleston, and fell wounded in the last battle of the war. He was promoted for gallantry on the field and remarked that he spoke advisedly when he said that brave men on each side of the conflict respected each other. After commenting on the unparalleled generosity of the victors towards the conquered, the speaker remarked, the statement is sometimes made that there would be another war between the North and the South. From an intimate acquaintance and knowledge of the southern people he could take the responsibility of saying that the South will never again take up arms against the National Government; That the war was the result of a fatal mistake dating from the adoption of the constitution: that if the people of the South possessed the knowledge and wisdom before, that they acquired during and after the war, it would never have taken place. Like his brother Whitcomb he has now enlisted under the white flag under which all can work together for the world's good. Comrade Brown of Pembroke, after apologizing for being unable to make a speech, gave one of the most interesting talks of the evening, giving personal experiences at the front. He served but few months in the service, yet passed through all of the battles of the Wilderness campaign, went through nine engagements his regiment, (the 31st Me.,) which went to the front with some 1200 men, and at a last roll call, after the mine explosion at Petersburg under a battery which his regiment was supporting, there were but 27 men that answered for their names, and he was fortunate enough to be one of the 27, not having received a scratch. He also recounted taking care of a wounded rebel, who had been trying to crawl clear of the Union troops, having been informed that rebel prisoners were shot after being taken to the rear, and sharing a soldier's sumptuous supper with him, consisting of soaked hard tack bread and hashed up with pork.
Rev. Mrs. Jenkyns remarked that his experience was somewhat different from the preceding speakers; that he belonged to the great army of spectators, but was not by any means a disinterested one.
Comrades Parker and Harrington's remarks were excellent. The latter closed by saying in his humorous way after referring to the good feeling between the soldiers of both armies at the front. "We forgive them, but don't do it again."
The remarks of the speakers were interspersed with war songs, which were sung with a vim and were enjoyed and appreciated, Comrades Bibber and Bradish taking the lead. The "army bean" song brought down the house.
Rev. Mr. Brown made some of his usual well chosen remarks, thanking the comrades for himself and his brother clergymen, for the pleasant entertainment.
Captain Nutt remarked that he came to listen and not be listened to, but that he was glad to be able to congratulate the comrades of Post 40 upon having so pleasant a home, and having been called upon as Captain, he would say for the Frontier Guards, that they were glad to have such good neighbors. He trusted that the kind and fraternal feeling that had always existed between the two organizations would always continue, and that the G.A.R. comrades would live to see many such pleasant gatherings in this hall.
The new hall was described in a recent issue of the SENTINEL, and on this evening, with its tastefully draped flags and military pictures adorning the walls, it presented an attractive home for the G.A.R. of Eastport. One would not imagine that the old vestry could be made into so neat and pretty a hall, but the veterans were equal to the occasion, as usual, and have fitted up quarters they can well feel proud of.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, November 24, 1886, p.3,c.2: “Sergt. D.C. Murphy has been authorized to hire the upper story of the G.A.R. hall for a U.S. Signal Station.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, November 24, 1886, p.3,c.2: "Mr. Harry Harrington of this town, ornamental painter, has been engaged for the past two weeks in work upon the County Court House at Machias, which as undergone such extensive repairs the past summer."
• From Eastport Sentinel, July 7, 1897, p.3,c.3: “The front of the Grand Army Hall has been improved by the addition of the letters G.A.R. in large proportion which are very conspicuous from the foot of Dana street, pointing out to strangers the home of the honorable body of veterans.”
• From Eastport Sentinel, August 20, 1919, p.1:
"AMERICAN LEGION
POST ORGANIZED
Returned Soldiers of Eastport Institute Fred Mitchell Post No. 11. Chas. E. Davis, Commander
The American Legion, the nationwide organization of veterans of the recent war, is now represented in this city, the organization of a post having been completed at a meeting held at the Armory last Wednesday night. The movement to institute a post here was started several weeks ago, when a meeting was held under the direction of W. S. Alexander, at which it was decided to apply for a charter. The charter having been granted, last Wednesday night’s meeting followed. The principal business was the election of officers as follows: Post commander, Charles E. Davis; vice post commander, Ralph Colwell; post adjutant, Edward L. Wadsworth; director of finance, George Savage; post historian, George C. Loring, Jr.; post chaplain, George Potter. Another important decision taken was that to name the post after the only local soldier in American forces killed in action during the war, Sergeant Fred Mitchell, and accordingly the name of the organization will be Fred Mitchell Post No. 11, the numerals indicating that this is the eleventh to be granted a charter in Maine. About thirty-five men were present but it is expected that eventually many more will join, until practically all of the men who saw service, military or naval, will be enrolled as members. The Armory will be used as the regular meeting place of the Post."
• From Eastport Sentinel, July 16, 1924, p.5: "At a special meeting of the Sons of Veterans Monday night, Meade Camp took over the Grand Army Hall from Meade Post G.A.R., and is now the legal owner of all the real and personal property belonging to that organization."
