Salvation Army Museum Address: 440 West Nyack Road, Suite 1068  City: West Nyack State: NY Postal: 10994 Phone: (845) 620-7348 Fax: Longitude: -73.9845 Latitude: 41.0963 Salvation Army Museum   The following exhibitions are at the Museim George Scott Railton George Scott Railton is most recognized in the United States as the leader of seven Hallelujah Lassies sent to invade this country for God and the Army in 1880. Before that time, however, Railton played an important part in the formation of the Army, and his "fingerprints" are on many of the foundation stones of the organization. He was the first to bear the title "Commissioner" and the first to wear the "official" uniform Slum Sister In 1890, the first pairs of "slum sisters" in the USA were sent into the streets of New York City. Wearing no Army uniform, they passed unobtrusively among their beneficiaries. As noted by Professor Edward H. McKinley in Marching to Glory, they "bathed and fed helpless stroke victims, washed and cuddled the extra baby or two in a crowded flat, cooked meals, made beds, patched clothing, scrubbed floors, bundled returning drunks into bed, washed and dressed the dead for undertakers who simply delivered a coffin, took payment, and departed." Doughnut Girl Only a relative few names came to prominence, but the record shows that over 500 Salvationist women and men were sent overseas during WW1 by Commander Evangeline Booth to minister to our servicemen on the frontlines. As well as making the famous doughnuts, the Salvationists endeared themselves to the troops by sewing on buttons, writing letters home, cheering up the homesick, and praying with the dying. Thomas Ferguson Jamaica Ginger" was the name given to Tom Ferguson, noted for his fiery zeal and hallelujah fire. Widely acclaimed during his lifetime as a composer, poet, and musician, he wrote the words and music to more than forty songs. Tom was a teenager in Jamaica, British West Indies, when the Army opened fire (began work) there. After having left the islands, Tom eventually found his way to the Boston Palace Corps where he was saved, and where he served as Corps Sergeant Major (lay leader) for many years. In 1914, Commander Evangeline Booth sent Tom and 12 other African-American singers to the International Congress in London, where they were a big hit with their singing, their gray uniforms and red hats! Tom's most well-known songs are "Good-bye, Pharaoh, Good-bye," and "By the Way of the Cross." Evangeline Booth The seventh child of William and Catherine Booth, Evangeline Cory Booth, was an oratorical genius, a shrewd leader, and was possessed of a daring spirit. She was also a musician, a player of several instruments, and a composer of many songs. Her motto was "The World for God." After serving as an officer in Britain, Evangeline was appointed to Canada in 1896 as a Field Commissioner. In 1904, farewell orders arrived and she came to the United States, where she served as "Commander" for 30 exciting years. She was elected General of The Salvation Army and served in that position from 1934 - 1939, after which she returned to spend her retirement years in her adopted country, the United States. Bandsman From the very earliest days of The Salvation Army, instrumental music attracted the curious, quieted the riotous, and provided accompaniment for the singing of the joyous. Charles Fry and his three grown sons brought their brass instruments to the Army and became the first Corps band in 1879 at Salisbury, England. Edward Trumble, an excellent musician, ridiculed the incompetence of the little Army band in Elyria, Ohio in the 1880s. He soon became ashamed of his attitude, got converted, joined the Army, and in 1893 became the bandmaster of the National Staff Band in New York City. Information courtesy of Salvation Army Museum [ Schedule ] 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday Evening or weekend hours by request [ Admissions ] Donations accepted back to top