The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization for Union veterans of the American Civil War. Founded in Illinois in 1866, it grew to include posts all over the country. Members took part in July 4th celebrations and other community events, and they advocated for a variety of causes including patriotic education, regular pensions and voting rights for Black veterans.
Planners of the Seattle July 4th, 1912 celebration promised a large community celebration at Ravenna Park where the GAR and other participants would hear patriotic speeches and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4th, GAR members also gathered with their families outside Fred Peterson’s photographic studio at 1900 First Avenue for this panoramic portrait. This photographs show a number of elderly veterans as well as young family members, and includes an African American veteran at center, kneeling below the flag.
Handwritten on image: Donaldson Photo-Art Co., Seattle, Wash. 1912 SHS category: Groups
Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, July 1, 1912, p. 5.
ID Number: SHS10796
Date: 1912
Physical Description: 1 photographic print: b&w ; 42 x 8 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
