Background note:

The network of organizations designed to aid Union soldiers during the Civil War was truly extensive. One of the most active and successful operations was the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, founded in Philadelphia on May 27, 1861. During more than four years of its existence, the Saloon provided (free of charge) food, drink, and comfortable lodging for soldiers headed into active field service, and a separate hospital provided care for the sick and wounded. Under the direction of an energetic staff, including a large number of women, the Saloon remained open until August 28, 1865.

Scope and contents:

The tiny collection relating to the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon includes three items, supplemented by three newspaper clippings. These include two letters addressed to the historian, Benson J. Lossing (from Robert R. Corson, April 7, 1862, and from Arad Barrows, August 6, 1866) regarding the operation of the Union Volunteer Saloon, and a broadside poem, "Lines in memory of the Philadelphia Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, suggested by its ruins" ([Philadelphia, ca.1865]). The newspaper clippings, all from the Philadelphia Inquirer, consist of post-war testimonials to the good work performed at the Saloon.

Related collections:

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania houses a letterbook from the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, over 400 telegrams received by workers at the Saloon, and 9 lin. feet of papers of one of the Saloon's organizers, Samuel B. Fales.

M-1898
Recat. 10/97 rsc

Link to subject index to the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon Collection

Alphabetic index to the Schoff Civil War Collections

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