This is the last of a seven-part series reviewing the recent annual Civil War Symposium produced by the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.
The Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall was one of many built by its namesake, Andrew Carnegie, an industrialist and philanthropist 
who was moved by the town’s decision to adopt his name. While the ACFL&MH has its own long and storied history that is an interesting study, it also had within its walls an unknown time capsule that went unopened for more than a half-century: the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post No. 153.
The Grand Army of the Republic was initially founded immediately after the end
of the Civil War as an organization for Union military veterans. Not unlike modern American Legion and VFW posts, the GAR was intended to provide a venue for comradery, social interaction and, throughout the late 19th Century, political influence. The GAR almost faded away, but underwent a revival of sorts and explosive growth beginning in the late 1870’s. It would continue to exist until the last Union veteran died in 1956.
In 18
79, the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post No. 153 was chartered. Its namesake had been the commander of Company H of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Mustered into federal service on the Fourth of July in 1861 at the age of 53, Espy would be wounded and captured during the battle of Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862. He would succumb to his injuries nine days later, but his body would never be identified and recovered.
The post had no permanent home for more than 20 years, travelling around the area using borrowed or rented facilities. Finally, with the construction of the ACFL&MH in 1905, a deal was br
okered for a corner room on the second floor. The Espy post would continue to meet in that room until shortly before the outbreak of World War II when the last member reported to his “final encampment.”
The story is told that the room was locked and forgotten. It seems difficult to believe the legend since the room has windows on two sides of the library building; surely someone must have wondered what was there. Whether it was truly forgotten or just ignored by the library staff, only spiders appear to have met in the room for nearly 50 years.
When the door was finally unlocked again, it was immediately realized there was a veritable time capsule within the four walls that had o
nce resounded with veterans’ stories and GAR meeting business. Restoration would take several years to rid the critters, abate the mold and mildew and clean up the black soot that had emanated from the area’s many steel mills before the post meeting room would return to its former glory.
The Thomas Espy GAR Post meeting room is now open in all of its original splendor. It is well worth the time spent, and is only a short distance south of Pittsburgh. Visitors can stop by on any Saturday for tours with friendly and knowledgeable docents who are on hand to detail the history of the post, its rehabilitation and the many artifacts adorning the room. Special sessions can also be arranged for access on other days with advance coordination through the ACFL&MH staff.
