Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic host Mother's Day tea and fashion show

LIVERPOOL TWP. — The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic hosted a special luncheon with tea and a historic fashion show on Sunday for Mother's Day. The Mother's Day Victorian Tea & Historic Fashion Show event was held at LGAR's national headquarters and museum, located at 6703 Center Road. LGAR is a nonprofit that was formed in 1881, with all members being descendants of union Civil War soldiers. LGAR National Secretary and Former National President Elizabeth Rock said the organization was formed after the American Civil War to aid veterans. The organization describes itself as the Veterans Administration before the VA. Sunday's event was a fundraiser for the organization and its many missions. "This is a fundraiser for this building," Rock said. "We have only been in this museum room since January. We are new to Valley City, and we have a lot of work to do." The museum houses a one-of-a-kind archival collection that pertains to the organization Rock said. The organization participates in several fundraisers throughout the year including Pets for Vets, a national nonprofit that matches companion dogs with veterans, and Miss Sawyer's Kids with a Cause, which sends over 2,000 care packages to currently deployed military. Those who attended Sunday's event and fundraiser were able to see and learn about fashion from the 1850s and '60s. "Several of us have done fashion shows over the last several decades," Rock said. "Normally we do an 1840 to 1940 show, but today we are focusing on 1850s and '60s fashions because our organization formed after the American Civil War." Most items worn for the show were reproduction dresses, Rock said with some original items from the museum being featured. LGAR Treasurer Jan Stevenson said these types of events help share the history and mission of the organization with people who may not know about it. "I like doing these on Mother's Day because it gives people of all ages the opportunity to find some commonality," she said. "It gives us the opportunity to share not only with our children, but we share our children with everyone else." Rock and Stevenson said by sharing the history and message they hope to be able to inspire people to take part in everything else the organization has to offer. The organization is spread out with memberships in 14 different states, but events like the Mother's Day fashion show allow that history to be shared locally. LGAR is always looking for members who live locally to expand the organization's mission and community reach, Rock said. More information on LGAR and its several community projects can be found at https://lgarnational.org/ or the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Facebook page. Contact reporter Patrick Rhonemus at (330) 721–4050 or prhonemus@medina-gazette.com.