The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic opening national headquarters and museum in Liverpool Township

LIVERPOOL TWP. — The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic is having a grand opening of its national headquarters and museum in Liverpool Township today. Elizabeth Rock is the national secretary and former national president of the organization. She said LGAR is a nonprofit that was formed in 1881, and all members are descendants of union Civil War soldiers. "We formed after the Civil War to make certain that our union Civil War veterans were cared for, as well as their widows and their orphans," she said. "We helped to fund and build the very first veterans homes in the country." Now LGAR focuses on veteran care, sending care packages, doing community service and teaching patriotism, Rock said. The organization is stationed in 14 states throughout the country. When the Ohio Veterans Home Military Museum in Sandusky closed during the pandemic, the group was forced to find a new space for a national headquarters, she said. The Northeast Ohio group is very active, which is why it is now in Liverpool Township. The museum will feature LGAR's history as well as unique items pertaining to the organization, Rock said. Visitors can also see if one of their relatives was a member of LGAR and learn which Civil War soldier she joined under. "The new space is four times bigger than the old space, so it allows us to really share our archives and some of our rare, one-of-a-kind items in a better way," she said. LGAR also supports national projects like Pets For Vets, which raises funds to pair a dog with a veteran, as well as Miss Sawyer's "Kids With A Cause," which sends care boxes to deployed military, Rock said. There will be donation drop off boxes for both organizations inside the museum. The national headquarters and museum are on the second floor of the town hall at 6703 Center Road. There will be a ribbon-cutting today at 2 p.m., and attendees will be able to walk through the space and ask questions. "The community has been great so far, and so welcoming," Rock said. "We're very, very thankful for that." LGAR also has two upcoming fundraisers to purchase a chairlift for town hall, so everyone can easily reach the second floor, she said. There will be a murder mystery dinner on March 16 as well as a Mother's Day high tea luncheon and mid-19th century fashion show on May 12. To register for the upcoming events or to learn more about the organization, visit lgarnational.org. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.