National Headquarters and Museum
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503 South Walnut Street
Springfield, IL
217-544-0616
Headquarters Office Hours
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday - Saturday
Museum
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday - Saturday
Library
Appointment Only
Please call 217-544-0616
Free Admission to Museum and Library
Our Mailing Address
National Headquarters – DUVCW
PO Box 211
Springfield, IL 62705-0211
For FEDEX and UPS packages use the address below.
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865
503 South Walnut Street
Springfield, IL 62704-1932
Our organization was organized on May 30, 1885 by Olive Howard, Harriet Knapp, Eva Merwin, Frank Merwin, and Bertha Martin. They held the first meeting on June 3, 1885 at the home of Eva Merwin, 419 First Street, SE Massillon, Ohio.
We were incorporated December 12, 1885 in Masssillon, Ohio and the signers of the Original Articles of Incorporation were Minnie F. King, Bertha M. Martin, Olive F. Howard, Eva Merwin, and Any Merrill.
Our original name was National Alliance Daughters of Veterans and we were endorsed by the Grand Army of the Republic at the 34th Annual Encampment held in Chicago, Illinois in 1900.
During our 35th National Encampment, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1925, our name was changed to Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Our name was later changed during our 54th National Encampment, held in Des Moines, Iowa in 1944 to Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861 – 1865.
Our Federal Charter was granted by Public Law 99-172 on December 9, 1985.
Our Museum preserves countless artifacts of Civil War history, including rifles, medals, photographs, currency, drums, uniforms, and letters from soldiers at the front. A gift shop offers a variety of books about the Civil War and other memorabilia.
Located next to the Museum is a 2,800 square foot “American foursquare” house built in 1898. Recently dedicated as the Dr. Benjamin Franklin Stephenson Library and Research Center; named for the founder of the Grand Army of the Republic. The library houses a complete set of “War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies.” Numerous other volumes relating to the War are also available for on-site research.
A memorial brick garden was dedicated in 2010 at the Museum, with memorial bricks honoring our Founders, Members, Civil War Veterans, and Veterans of all wars.