“What price freedom?” Memorial Hall asks this very question. It stands within the Chicago Cultural Center. This building initially opened in 1897. It was both a central library and Civil War memorial.
Memorial Hall honors Civil War veterans. The Grand Army of the Republic Rooms include this hall. These rooms also feature the GAR Lobby and Entrance Hall. The building itself is a Chicago Landmark.
The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events operates the Chicago Cultural Center. It serves as Chicago’s official reception venue. The Mayor of Chicago has welcomed presidents, royalty, diplomats, and community leaders here. The space continues to celebrate art and culture. It supports the city’s public programming.
In 2022, a historic restoration was completed. It highlighted the room’s original purpose. You can reflect on sacrifice within this space. Think about what is lost and gained through sacrifice. Consider how past sacrifices benefit our freedom. Reflect on our ongoing fight for freedom.
The GAR Rotunda features a dome. This dome spans 40 feet in diameter. It contains 62000 pieces of art glass. This dome is larger than the one in Preston Bradley Hall. Workers placed the dome under cement and copper in the 1940s. This was done to prevent water damage. Electric lights were added at that time. The stained glass has since been fully restored. Natural light now illuminates it. A new clear cover protects it.
Daprato Rigali Studios cleaned and reassembled the leaded glass. The original Tiffany-designed finishes were found intact. They were beneath layers of grime. The restoration team revealed original paint colors. They also repaired plaster detailing. Recreated moldings and renovated embossed plaster carvings were added to the ceiling.
Gold lettering lists major Civil War battles around the room. Vermont green marble adorns the walls. Restored cherry wood cases line the walls. They once displayed Civil War artifacts. These artifacts are now preserved at the Harold Washington Library Center.
The restoration included intricate paint removal. Workers repaired damage and touched up the ceiling. They also worked on the upper walls and crown molding. Computer technology recreated the carpets. The patterns and colors match the irreparably damaged originals. The new carpets control sound. This was not a functional concern in 1897.
Missing chandeliers were recreated. Old photographs and architectural drawings aided the process. Computer imaging brought these to life. Models of individual pieces were generated by 3D printing. The chandeliers were recast in bronze. They feature replica hand-blown glass shades.
The enormous windows have been restored. They now have original clear glass. This allows light to flow into the room. UV protection has been added. The windows offer a view into GAR Hall from the street below.
The Grand Army of the Republic rooms were designed to honor Civil War veterans. Shepley Rutan and Coolidge, a Boston firm, designed them. The rooms aimed to support the social, political, and moral well-being of veterans and their families. The rooms have embossed plaster carvings. Swords, shields, helmets, and flags are displayed. This serves as a reminder of the losses of war.
Memorial Hall measures 53 feet long, 96 feet wide, and 33 feet high. The Grand Army Hall and Memorial Association leased it between 1898 and 1948. It served as a meeting place for GAR members. Today, the hall hosts ceremonial and artistic events. It is even used for weddings.
Vermont marble walls bear the names of 30 Civil War battles. These include Shilo, Antietam, and Gettysburg. Coffered ceilings display dragons, fruit, and stars. Adjacent to Memorial Hall is the Claudia Cassidy Theater. It was originally a flat-floored GAR meeting room. Memorial Hall stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom.