Celebrate 250 Years of the U.S. Army at Jackson's Civil War Muster

This month, history will come alive once again in Jackson as the Jackson Civil War Muster returns on August 23 and 24, 2025. For 37 years, this remarkable event has stood as the largest and longest-running Civil War living history event in the Midwest, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors annually to experience the past in ways no textbook or documentary could replicate. Families such as mine have gathered here annually, drawn not only by the thundering cannon blasts and vivid storytelling but by the shared commitment to remembering who we are, where we came from, and how we can grow as a nation.

This year’s Muster carries profound significance as it joins the national America250 initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army. First formed on June 14, 1775, in the earliest days of the American Revolution, the U.S. Army has stood as the nation’s enduring shield for two and a half centuries. Earlier this year, national commemorations were held in Washington, D.C., to honor the Army’s founding and legacy. Now, the spirit of that moment travels here to Jackson, where history lives not behind glass but in living color across a weekend of deep reflection and celebration.

The America250 initiative was established by Congress through the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. The bipartisan legislation was signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 22, 2016, creating the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and coordinate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. This historic milestone offers a unique opportunity for national reflection, honoring the country’s complex past, celebrating its achievements, and inspiring a renewed commitment to American ideals. America250 encourages each state to take part in shaping the narrative of this commemoration by recognizing regional stories, people, and places that have contributed to the American journey.

In that spirit, America250MI, Michigan’s Committee for the United States Semiquincentennial, was established by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 to lead the state’s contributions to the national commemoration. The committee’s mission is to recognize and elevate Michigan’s unique role in American history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the impact of the American Revolution in the Great Lakes region. Through collaboration with municipalities, American Indian tribes, cultural and civic organizations, libraries, schools, and community groups, America250MI seeks to foster inclusive storytelling and meaningful engagement. By embracing the full spectrum of Michigan’s history, including its proud moments and its challenges, the committee aims to support programs, events, and exhibits that elevate previously unheard voices and help connect the past to Michigan’s future.

A cannon blast captured during the battle at the 2025 Jackson Civil War Muster. (Photo Credit: Phil Lenart)

Jackson's premier America250MI event, the Jackson Civil War Muster, offers a deeply immersive experience. Have you ever wondered what life was like for Michiganders during the American Civil War? The sounds of fifes and drums, the hiss of boiling coffee over open fires, the rustle of hoop skirts and wool uniforms, and the unmistakable crack of musket fire fill the air. Reenactors portray Union and Confederate soldiers, field surgeons, camp musicians, abolitionists, seamstresses, and more, with each participant contributing their own rich story. Visitors can explore authentic encampments where families cook over open flame, prepare meals using 1860s recipes, and sleep on the ground in full canvas tents. Young guests may even take part in mock military drills, giving them a hands-on opportunity to step into the shoes of soldiers from the period.

Adding to this year’s commemorative spirit, the event will feature a display of modern military vehicles tracing the U.S. Army’s evolution, from the black powder of the Civil War to the mechanized force of the 20th and 21st centuries. This interactive exhibit, hosted by the Michigan Army National Guard, reminds us how far we have come and how the Army has stood at the center of that transformation: always adapting, always serving.

Attendees at an Army festival on the National Mall sit in a military vehicle on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Army is marking its 250th anniversary with a military parade along Constitution Avenue that includes roughly 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft. The parade was designed to tell the history of the Army. (Photo Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Abraham Lincoln once declared, “Thank God for Michigan,” a tribute to the state’s unwavering commitment to the Union during America’s darkest hour. That commitment was visible here in Jackson, where thousands of soldiers passed through Camp Blair and Camp Jackson on their way to the front. These men, some of them as young as sixteen, trained here, said their goodbyes here, and steeled their hearts for the fight to preserve the nation and end slavery. Jackson was not just a city on a map during the Civil War, it was a vital artery in the heart of the Union war effort.

The Civil War remains one of the most defining periods in American history, and nowhere is that better felt than at the Jackson Civil War Muster. This was a war that reshaped the country. It ended slavery, brought about a new birth of freedom, and tested whether a nation conceived in liberty could long endure. The Army, in all its iterations, was the vehicle through which that liberty was fought for and defended. Among its ranks were nearly 180,000 Black soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops. Michigan was among the states to raise an African American regiment, the 1st Michigan Colored Regiment redesignated the 102nd United States Colored Troops-whose members fought not only to preserve the Union but to secure the freedom of those still in bondage.

Hubbard Pryor at the time of enlistment (left) and after joining the 44th United States Colored Troops (right). (Photo Credit: National Archives)

Inside the camps, you'll find more than just accurate uniforms or historic equipment. There are stories. Stories of Michigan families separated by war, of brave women who served as nurses and gathered supplies on the home front for the soldiers, of African Americans fighting for their own liberation, and of children who watched their world change overnight. Educational displays offer everything from battle dioramas to surgeon’s instruments and regimental flags. Musicians keep the cadence of history alive, including a performance by the celebrated Camp Chase Fife and Drum, bringing the soundscape of the 1860s battlefield right into the present.

One of the most anticipated returns this year is the All American Military Ball. Guests of all ages, whether dressed in hoop skirts and wool uniforms or simply in their best attire, will join hands for an evening of 1860s music, dancing, and fellowship. It is an experience of joy and remembrance, a celebration not only of military service but of the community that stands behind it. The energy and camaraderie formed during the weekend often lead to lasting friendships and cherished memories.

Why hold such an event? The short answer is that ninety thousand Michiganders fought in the Civil War, and fifteen thousand gave their lives. Freedom is not a static concept. It is a struggle that must be remembered and renewed. History, especially in moments of national division, helps us learn how we rebuild.

Here in Jackson, we are not tearing down our monuments or rewriting our history. Instead, we are preserving it, confronting it, and telling it honestly in all its complexity. We understand that history is not something to be erased when it is difficult or uncomfortable. It is something to be explored so we may grow wiser from it. Through events like the Jackson Civil War Muster, we embrace the stories of the past not to glorify war, but to honor the people whose lives shaped our nation. These include soldiers and civilians, abolitionists, and formerly enslaved men who returned to the South wearing Union blue. These stories are rooted in courage and contradiction, triumph and tragedy, and they deserve to be remembered. In telling them, we do not look away from the past. We walk toward it, determined to learn, to preserve, and to carry forward its lessons for generations to come.

Union soldiers in formation during a review at Camp Blair in Jackson. Established in 1863, the camp served as a key federal military headquarters for processing draftees, discharges, and caring for the wounded. Visible structures include barracks and administrative buildings used during its peak operation. (Photo Credit: Archives of Michigan)

In commemorating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, we not only honor our nation’s defenders across time but also provide an avenue for learning, reflection, and reconciliation. The Muster planning team has worked intentionally to encourage open dialogue about the relevancy of the Civil War today. In exploring how we were once divided and how we came together, the hope is to foster greater understanding, inclusion, and healing. At a time when the lessons of history are more important than ever, the Jackson Civil War Muster offers a space to confront the past, celebrate our progress, and recommit to the ideals that define the United States.

So whether you’re a history enthusiast, a curious student, a reenactor, a music lover, a vendor, or someone simply seeking an escape into the past, the Jackson Civil War Muster is a weekend you will never forget. Come walk among the tents. Hear the call of the bugle. Taste the bread baked over open flame. The event invites you to join in with us as we celebrate 250 years of the United States Army.

A portion of the camps set up around the pond at the 2024 Jackson Civil War Muster. (Photo Credit: Wayne Dabney)

For full event details, visit www.civilwarmuster.org. Admission is free and all are welcome.

About the Jackson County Michigan Historical Society

The Jackson County Michigan Historical Society was founded in 2020 as a not-for-profit, private educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Jackson County. The Society's mission is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s past, including the stories of the Native American peoples who lived in the area long before the arrival of European fur traders and American settlers. It seeks to stimulate and encourage the preservation and interpretation of Jackson County’s history through conferences, publications, awards, educational programs, consulting services, and related historical activities. Additionally, the Society aims to support and enhance the efforts of the county’s local historical societies, museums, and historians by serving as a service organization and a hub for collaboration and communication. It also cooperates with individuals, organizations, and institutions at the local, state, and national levels to promote and sustain broad public interest in history.