HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 15, 2022) – Time travel back to 1862 and walk among more than a hundred of Civil War military, cavalry, and civilian re-enactors. Visit acres of camps where the re-enactors live, sleep, cook over campfires, play games, and relax until the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg, MD) is fought at 2:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Antietam was a clash of Union General George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac and Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
Listen to lectures by President Abraham Lincoln portrayed by Fritz Klein, a professional actor from Springfield IL. He appears in films, documentaries, and plays. He has performed as Lincoln in 38 states and internationally. Hear Generals Meade (Union) and Lee, Jackson, and Stuart (Confederate) speak about the battle.
Listen to Professor Allen Guelzo, distinguished author and one of the foremost scholars on the Civil War from Princeton University. He is Senior Research Scholar in the Council of Humanities and Director of the Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship in the James Madison Program at Princeton. Enjoy talks by Frank O’Reilly, an historian with National Parks Service at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, and by Pam Welcome who portrays Harriet Tubman. Listen to strains of “When Johnnie Comes Marching Home” and “Dixie” played by the Volunteer Regimental Band of Holland.
Witness a field surgeon operating after the battle.
Visit the Grey Barn Tavern for refreshments before and after the battle. Enjoy libations, lemonade, sodas, and authentic 1860’s bar food in the 1850’s barn built by Ben Van Raalte, Civil War veteran. Enjoy a lunch of Johnny cakes, bean soup, and apple crisp catered by North Holland Christian Reformed Church.
Tour the charming restored 1872 Ben Van Raalte homestead at the top of the hill and learn about the Van Raalte family and about Reverend Albertus Van Raalte, founder of Holland in 1847. Attend an authentic 1860’s church service under the majestic Maples on the lawn at 10:00 am Sunday.
A day of living history at the beautiful Van Raalte Farm is waiting for you.
Saturday, 9:00 – 9:00
Sunday, 9:00 – 4:00
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