*Sunday Sept. 20th Civil War Muster Update. It’s with a heavy heart that we cancel all military demonstrations and the battle. However we have some amazing guest speakers that will be in the red barn and the America 250 Mobile Museum is open. Civilian camps are closed. The bus shuttle is running.*
17TH ANNUAL
VAN RAALTE FARM CIVIL WAR MUSTER
September 19-20, 2026
In honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are expanding our traditional Civil War–focused venue to also include the Revolutionary War period.
We are also honored to have been selected to host the America 250 Mobile Museum.
Come see the hall of presidents: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses S. Grant and John Adams
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will also be on site.
The First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War, shattering illusions of a short, easy conflict. The Confederate victory forced the North to realize the war would be long and bloody, triggering massive troop increases and restructuring, while boosting Southern confidence.
Key Significance:
- End of “Short War” Illusion: Both sides initially believed the conflict would be resolved quickly, but the chaotic, bloody nature of this battle in Virginia destroyed that notion.
- Sobering Reality: The defeat shocked the North, leading President Lincoln to call for 500,000 more troops, shifting from a 90-day conflict to a long-term war effort.
- Confederate Confidence: The victory on July 21, 1861 near Manassas gave the South a significant morale boost and a false sense that their independence could be achieved quickly.
- Military changes: Union Gen. Irvin McDowell was replaced by Gen. George B. McClellan, reflecting the urgent need for training and professional leadership.
- Casualties and Tactics: With nearly 5,000 total casualties, it was the bloodiest battle in U.S. history at the time, demonstrating that modern weapons would make the conflict highly destructive
- Emergence of Leaders: Confederate Gen. Thomas Jackson earned his nickname “Stonewall” during the battle for his strong defensive stance
The battle, fought between over 350,000 Union troops and 20,000 Confederates, saw early Federal success fade, ultimately resulting in a panicky Union retreat back toward Washington.
Holland’s Van Raalte Farm was originally the home of Civil War veteran Ben Van Raalte, the son of Holland’s founder. Eleven acres of the farm, including two barns and the original farmhouse, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, these timeless structures are part of a 160-acre park providing the perfect backdrop for our 16th annual Civil War Muster.
Experience the sights and sounds of these tumultuous years of our nation’s history: smell the powder, hear the boom of cannons, and talk to the famous generals and soldiers as they plan their assaults. Wander through the encampments of Confederate and Union soldiers, visit with civilians cooking over open fires, listen to the 1st Holland Regimental Band, or hang out at the Grey Barn, an authentic Civil War era saloon.
The First Battle of Bull Run will be the focus of this year’s muster. Additional featured events include battlefield medical scenarios, cavalry demonstrations, tours of the Van Raalte home, a Civil War era church service on Sunday morning, and performances by professional impressionists. All events are FREE. Bring your camera, snap some photos, and then be sure to submit them to the Muster Photo Contest! For details and the uploader link, visit https://www.holland.org/van-raalte-civil-war-muster-photo-contest/
Proudly Featuring Fritz Klein as President Abraham Lincoln
Proudly Featuring Dr. Curt Fields as General Ulysses S. Grant
General Robert E. Lee
General J.E.B. Stuart
Sojourner Truth
Union, Confederate, and Cavalry soldiers in encampments
Grey Barn Saloon
This Year’s Civil War Guest Lecturers:
–Actor Fritz Klein as President Abraham Lincoln
–Dr. Curt Fields as President Ulysses S. Grant
–Pamela Welcome as Harriet Tubman
Fritz Klein
AS SEEN IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL, C-SPAN, AND USA TODAY! WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS AN ACTOR, SPEAKER AND ENTERTAINER, KLEIN IS KNOWN INTERNATIONALLY AND ACROSS AMERICA!
Actor Fritz Klein of Springfield, Illinois has been a professional actor and speaker for many years. His portrayal of Lincoln brings this American icon to life. Klein brings striking physical resemblance as well as historical accuracy, acting ability, humor, and relevance to the audience. Productions vary in content and length according to the need and character of the audience, but you will come away with new insight and the sense that you have been with Lincoln himself.
Klein was first asked to portray Lincoln after performing as Lyman Beecher in a local history pageant in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i where he lived at the time. After a number of requests for repeat performances, he decided to begin extensive research in order to write a one-man production on Lincoln. That production has led to many others. He has since performed as Lincoln in 38 states and internationally as well. He and his wife Linda now reside in Springfield, Illinois where he performs at the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, as well as many other venues around the country. In the summer Klein plays Lincoln in a variety of venues in a program called “History Comes Alive.”
In 2011 Klein was featured in the National Park Service’s recreation of Lincoln’s Inaugural Journey, travelling from Springfield to Washington, DC. and performing for some 5,000 people en route. The return trip was also done in 2015 with special programming by the NPS in the various funeral cities.
Klein portrayed Lincoln in a feature entitled “Lost River” and four History Channel Lincoln Bicentennial spots, as well as the award-winning Lincoln film at the Lincoln Home National Park “Journey to Greatness” by Aperture films of Los Angeles. On President Obama’s Inauguration night, Klein was Lincoln in the first American showing of a German film called “Lincoln’s Last Night” produced by VIDICOM of Hamburg and again featured at the Smithsonian for the 2013 Inauguration. Klein was also featured in the 2013 Ford’s Theater exhibit put together by History Channel.
Klein has also done numerous documentary and feature films for National Geographic, Discovery and History Channel including “Stealing Lincoln’s Body”, “Lincoln’s Secret Killer”, and “American Mastermind”. In 2013 the Smithsonian film, “Lincoln’s Washington War” aired in 2013, on the Smithsonian Channel, and he appeared on National television with “Larry the Cable Guy”.
In 2015 “Lincoln’s Last Day” aired on the Smithsonian Channel. In the spring 2018 he was featured in the national Fox station Television series “Legends and Lies – Season three – The Civil War”. In 2020 He starred in Curiosity Stream’s “Electing Lincoln” series by Wide Awake Films.
More recent plays include a 2012 role in the Pulitzer – Prize nominated production “The Heavens Are Hung in Black” by James Still, and a 2014 appearance with actor Carlo Garcia in “Of Mutual Interest – Lincoln and Mexico” before Illinois Governor and delegates from Mexico. 2014 – 2016 a Ken Bradbury play about Lincoln’s assassination called “Last Full Measure”. 2017 saw “To Bind up the Nation’s Wounds” and in 2018 Klein has several plays on the docket, one about Lincoln’s assassination called “The Last Full Measure”, a Christmas play about the Lincolns and Grant, and two special Illinois Bicentennial play, one about old Illinois and one titled Lincoln and Shakespeare.
Dr. Curt Fields
Dr. Fields has portrayed General and President Grant in 22 states as he travels the nation presenting his portrayal of General and President Ulysses S. Grant.
As a Living Historian, Dr. Fields portrayed General Grant at the 150th Sesquicentennial observations of: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House, VA.
- He portrays General Grant in the Visitor Center film that is shown at Appomattox Court House National Historic Park.
- He was featured as General Grant, and as a Grant authority, in the Discovery Channel three-part documentary series “How Booze Built America” (With Mike Rowe)
- Dr. Fields portrays General Grant, giving his life story, on the Civil War Trust website in the 1in4 series of biographies and significant places and events the distinguished Civil War Trust has established. (This may be seen at Civilwar.org and select 1in4 at the top of the page.)
- He was honored to have been elected to life Membership in the American Civil War Round Table-Queensland, Australia, and is an occasional contributor to their newsletter: “The Bugle”.
- He is also a frequent contributor to The Civil War News (monthly Civil War newspaper)
- Was the recipient of the 2015 Grady McWhiney Award of Merit (for significant contributions to the scholarship and preservation of Civil War History
- appeared as General Grant on the National Geographic Television series “Diggers”
- featured as General Grant in the Visitors Center films shown at Appomattox National Historic Park
- and the Dover Hotel in Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- featured on four national magazine covers
- being the only Living Historian to be featured on two national magazine covers at the same time and for the same event: the Appomattox 150th in 2015 (pictured: “The Banner” and “The Camp Chase Gazette”)
- being selected as the official Grant for the U. S. Grant Boyhood Home Association in Georgetown, Ohio
- portraying President Grant for the opening and dedication of the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library at Mississippi State University on November 30th, 2017
- portraying General Grant at West Point (at the USMA request) in January of 2019, to kick off their ‘semester of Grant’ celebration prior to erecting a statue of him on the plain, April 25th, 2019
- as of June 25th, 2019, his Facebook posts had received more than half a million (520,000) ‘likes’!
- Portrayed President Grant for the incoming Freshman class orientation at Mississippi State University, August 2019
- Portrays President Grant in the film shown at Grant’s Tomb in New York city (to premier in December, 2021)
- He served as a Memphis, TN, Police Officer and was an MPD Hostage negotiator
- He received the Life-Saving medal from the City of Memphis for actions in the line of duty.
Dr. Fields researches and reads extensively about General Grant in order to deliver an accurate persona of the General. His presentations are in first person, quoting from General Grant’s Memoirs; articles and letters the General wrote, statements he made in interviews or wrote himself, and first-person accounts of people who knew the General or were with him and witnessed him during events. He is the same height and body style as General Grant and, therefore, presents a convincing, true-to-life image of the man as he really looked.
Please E-telegraph General Grant for orders or information at: curtfields@generalgrantbyhimself.com
Pamela Welcome
Pamela Welcome holds a B.A. Degree in Acting and Directing from Northern Illinois University. She has performed in many theatrical productions with diverse roles. Some of her roles range from ‘Mama’ , in A Raisin’ In The Sun; ‘Sister Margaret’ , in The Amen Corner; ‘JoJo LaMotte’ , in Agatha Christie Made Me Do It; and ‘Mrs. Mercy Croft’ , in The Killing of Sister George, to name a few. Mrs. Welcome has also done numerous training films and some voice over and commercial work. She currently performs BLACK WOMEN IN HISTORY -featuring Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth at libraries, churches and other organizations.
This Year’s Revolutionary War Guest Lecturers:
–Dan Shippey as George Washington
-Beau Robbins as Thomas Jefferson
-Jack Pauly as John Adams
Dan Shippey
Nationally renowned interpreters of George and Martha Washington Dan and Kelly Shippey have appeared in Museums, Films, Parades, Celebrations (Civic and Private), Military Ceremonies, Educational Programs (from Universities to Grammar Schools), Corporate Events, and on Battlefields for more than eighteen years. They are among the very few who have appeared as the Washingtons at their historic home of Mount Vernon Virginia. The Shippeys travel to multiple states across the country every year with the constant goal of educating the public about The Washingtons, and the foundational history of the United States.
Beau Robbins
Beau Robbins is an historical interpreter, speaker, consultant and model for historical artists. He is also an historical tailor and mantua maker, bringing to life fashions of the past for other interpreters and museums, specializing in the 18-19th centuries. He has performed at historical sites and events throughout the US including national and state parks, as well as private venues and film. Through specialized programming, valuable and informative content can be brought to your classroom, event, symposium or meeting. See more on interpretive portrayals at www.thefounderslive.com. Call or email to book early at 307.921.2023 or ewoaf1962@gmail.com.
Jack Pauly
VAN RAALTE FARM CIVIL WAR MUSTER GRANTED “THE ANDREW W. MELLON FOUNDATION COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIPS PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE OF HOPE COLLEGE AND HOLLAND, MICHIGAN”
The Holland Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster Community Education Initiative is funded with a two-year $51,000 grant. It will support the annual Civil War Muster, held in September at Van Raalte Farm on east 16th Street, to focus on themes of the Underground Railroad in 2021 and the end of the Civil War and Reconstruction in 2022. With re-enactors sharing, for example, the political outlook of Abraham Lincoln, the fiery calls for socioeconomic justice by Frederick Douglass, or the demands for gender equality and suffrage rights by Susan B. Anthony and Elizbeth Cady Stanton, the Holland Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster presents opportunities for its audience, especially local 5th grade classes on field trips, to engage with some of the most urgent issues of the 19th century.
With updated versions of those challenges dividing contemporary Americans, the program is intended to provide a compelling opportunity to increase people’s knowledge of their historical origins.
Click here to enter the Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster Photo Contest!
For questions, please email us at vanraaltemuster@gmail.com
@HollandCivilWarMuster
#Vanmuster2026 #HollandCWmuster
2025 Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster Contest Winners!
A special thanks to our sponsors who make this event Possible!
