June 27, 2025
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GAR Memorial Hall, Rotunda lure you back

By Josie Reyes
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Visitors stroll into the Grand Army of the Republic Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center. (Photos by)

CHICAGO – Another precious "gem" in the Chicago Cultural Center, also known as the People's Palace, is the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall at 77 E. Randolph St.

This was a gathering place for a group of Union veterans of the American Civil War. Hard to imagine that there is another magnificent dome (probably even more breathtaking) than the one at Preston Bradley.

Impressive Doric columns, mahogany doors, coffered ceiling and walls of green-veined Vermont marble greet you as you enter the lobby. This also was the second entrance to the library, where a few folks read the daily newspaper. Quite interesting to me is that the staircase with its "gentle" curve especially wasdesigned for the comfort of the aging veterans who walked up to the second floor. Again, if you take the elevator, you will miss the exquisite bronze decorations and "pink" Knoxville, Tenn., marble that continues up to the walls of the rotunda on the second floor.

At the top of the stairway is the Grand Army of the Republic Rotunda. Your eye is drawn to the Healy & Millet dome, a magnificent, 40-foot yellow-toned Renaissance-style stained-glass dome with botanical motifs made of opalescent glass and chipped jewels. I am truly amazed at the dedication and skill of the artisans of days gone by (1897). The ceiling is embossed with plaster carvings of swords, shields, helmets, and flags.

You then walk to the immense GAR Hall, very imposing and stately, even contemplative. The room is enveloped by deep green Vermont marble interrupted by a series of arches. Thirty historic Civil War battles, including the battles of Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, Cedar Creek and Fort Sumter, are inscribed on the frieze of gold leaf atop the walls. Healy & Millet, glassmakers and designers from Chicago, deserve the credit for everything you see here.

If you want to be transported to Italy, go up to the Sidney Yates Gallery on the fourth floor. This room was inspired by Doge's Palace in Venice. You will note the Latin words LUX et VERITAS (light and truth) adorning the walls. Light illuminates the room and Truth is found in the library collection. Yes, this served as the main reading room. Sidney Yates was an Illinois  congressman who was also a champion of the arts.

This dual-purpose building (library and veterans hall), which was built after the great Chicago fire of 1871, took only 5 years to construct at a cost of $2 million. With all the free cultural events and exhibitions, this historic landmark also serves as a perfect setting for weddings, corporate events, galas, fundraisers, meetings and conferences.

If you just have 30 minutes to spare, you can still see these precious domes through a ramp that connects them. I guarantee that once you visit this magnificent building, you would want to see it over and over again. I never tire of it.

Josie Reyes Almassy is a resident of Dixon.

Dixon