HELP NEEDED, WHAT IS IT?

[Da Yooper]

Found this the other day. It's 2"x1 3/4'' and made of copper. Been trying to research it and came up with nothing. Any Ideas? The writing on it says: GREAT CAMP BATTLE CREEK MICH.

 

[weston]

n/t

 

[GetRdone]

Looks kind of like some of the GAR medals I've seen, possibly had the GAR insignis in the center made of celluloid, and its missing, there were many GAR reunions held threw out the US.

 

[awhitster]

Looks kind of like some of the GAR medals I've seen, possibly had the GAR insignis in the center made of celluloid, and its missing, there were many GAR reunions held threw out the US.

So, what is a GAR?

 

[Da Yooper]

Grand Army of the Republic=== G.A.R.

 

[a74thson]

Grand Army of the Republic=== G.A.R.

It was one of the largest Union veterans associations following the Civil War. There was others (Union Veterans League, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, etc.). The GAR had thousands of posts across the nation and would have "encampments" read state, regional and national meetings where members wore "lodge pins" that were for the various encampments.

Now normally the medals I have and have seen say "encampment." Which makes me wonder if this could be some other group like the Loyal Order of the Redman...wait...I found it

Apparently the Knights of Maccabees called their gatherings "Great Camps."

http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/maccabees.htm

http://users.pullman.com/fjstevens/tokens/tokens/4752.html

I found the reference in an obit to a person being the organizer of teh Great Camp for the Knights of Maccabee

Keep in mind the 1860s-1890s is referred to as the Golden Age of Fraternalism when a series of organizations were created and in many cases they provided a social, beneficial (insurance, assistance, etc.) and community enhancement role. Many still exist, albeit in much smaller numbers.

As to the G.A.R., they gave way to their descendants as the march of time called them to their final muster. However, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (www.suvcw.org) still exists today. For woman, they have five orders associated with the G.A.R. that they could join but the common is the www.duvcw.org daughters of union veterans of the civil war.

Rod

 

[Da Yooper]

Thanks a74thson, I did find some small writing on the back and it says: SCHWAAB S&S CO. MILWAUKEE WIS. I'm guessing that's the company that made them.

 

[a74thson]

Da Yooper - Yea, I would presume that is the maker's mark. I think that someone already mentioned that this probably had a celluoid center medallion that wouldn't have survived. Great find. R

 

[liltracs]

Nice find

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

Didn't Kellogg have a health camp there in the 1800's. It was like a big retreat. He fed them grains and brought them back to health.