The reconstruction of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building was completed in August of 1917 and was dedicated after the conclusion of World War I. The new GAR Memorial Hall located in Room 413 North was dedicated fittingly on Flag Day, June 14, 1918. Colonel J.A. Watrous gave the dedicatory address at an evening ceremony which included a parade around Capitol Square and several musical performances. Once again Hosea Rood and company returned to the business of honoring their comrades and educating our young people.

As Hosea Rood wrote about the GAR Memorial Hall when it first opened, “…this memorial hall in the capitol (should) be consecrated to the teaching of lessons of patriotism. In it should be gathered such tokens of our struggle for freedom and humanity as it will tell to all who look upon them, especially the young, something of the cost of what today seem to us very common blessings in liberty and good government.” Wisconsin State Journal, April 15, 1901.