The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin’s #511 Post Tappen

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from Rensselaer County Historical Society’s commentary in the Civil War exhibition in the Rensselaer County Legislature’s lobby

Between June of 1884 and 1885, Berlin veterans formed #511 Post Tappen. Following the National Grand Army of the Republic’s (GAR) that began, in 1866, honoring soldiers by decorating their graves, Berlin’s Post Tappen commemorated Decoration Day. [private]In 1897 it was reported that Berlin celebrated Memorial Day with flags and bunting displayed in the streets. Post Tappen, Sons of the GAR, Odd Fellows and Home Templars, headed by Sheldon’s Band, marched to the cemeteries and decorated the graves of the veterans. A dinner at the First Baptist Church, with over 300 attending, was followed by a Memorial Service. In the afternoon there were various races and a baseball game with a team from Williamstown which Berlin won 16-11.

Members of the GAR in Berlin in 1910 are (from l to r): Leonard Lewis, Will Hull, Ed Winn, George Grant, Charlie Busher, Henry Lott; standing - Morris Broderick (holding flag), Jet Stillman, Sylvester Cowdry, Eleazor Reynolds, Alfred Tracy, William R. Lewis, Edward Boesse, Amus Hill, Israel A. Mason and Edward Rhodes. They are in front of the shed that was behind the First Baptist Church in Berlin. Photo from the RCHS collection.
Members of the GAR in Berlin in 1910 are (from l to r): Leonard Lewis, Will Hull, Ed Winn, George Grant, Charlie Busher, Henry Lott; standing – Morris Broderick (holding flag), Jet Stillman, Sylvester Cowdry, Eleazor Reynolds, Alfred Tracy, William R. Lewis, Edward Boesse, Amus Hill, Israel A. Mason and Edward Rhodes. They are in front of the shed that was behind the First Baptist Church in Berlin. Photo from the RCHS collection.

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