Civil War Saturday
History Comes to Life — This Saturday, Sept. 26
Step back into the 1860s for Civil War Saturday at the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. Experience a full day of living history as reenactors, demonstrations, special exhibits and hands-on activities bring Minnesota’s Civil War story to life.
Hear the thunder of artillery and infantry firing demonstrations, meet period reenactors, visit a Civil War medical tent, see historic weapons and tintype photography, and even Meet President Lincoln.
Visitors can also take part in recruit drills, explore the Civil War Gallery on a guided tour, go behind the scenes with a collections tour, and ride a bus to the original Fort Ripley site (space is limited).
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
21702 Haven Road, Little Falls, MN
Food truck on-site from 11 AM–2 PM.
Bring the family and spend the day experiencing Minnesota’s Civil War history firsthand.
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ONGOING
Recruiting Sergeant & Flag Demonstrations
Civil War Gallery
Guided Tours
Civil War Tintype Artist
Civil War Medical Tent
Vessey Memorial Hall
Special Exhibit: Civil War Infantry Arms
Sanitary Fair and Apothecary
Civil War Quilt Display
10:15
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 1]
10:30
Museum Front Entrance
Civil War Tentage Demonstration
10:30
Collections Storage
Behind the Scenes Tour (sign up required)
10:45
Museum Front Entrance
Participate in New Recruit Drill
Meet President Lincoln
11:00
Museum Entrance
Bus Tour to Original Fort Ripley (sign up required)
11:00
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 2]
11:30
Parade Ground
Infantry Drill and Firing Demonstration
12:00
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 3]
12:30
Civil War Gallery
Creating the Taylor Brothers Mannequins
12:45
Museum Front Entrance
Participate in Recruit Drill
1:00
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 4]
1:30
Parade Ground
Infantry Drill and Firing Demonstration
2:00
Museum Entrance
Bus Tour to Original Fort Ripley (sign up required)
2:00
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 5]
2:30
Collections Storage
Behind the Scenes Tour (sign up required)
2:30
Museum Front Entrance
Civil War Tentage Demonstration
2:45
Museum Front Entrance
Participate in Recruit Drill
Meet President Lincoln
3:00
Parade Ground
Artillery Firing Demonstration [gun 6]
3:30
Parade Ground
Infantry Drill and Firing Demonstration
3:45
Parade Ground
Artillery Battery Firing Demonstration, 6 Guns
4:00
Parade Ground
Flag Lowering Ceremony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum Announces Civil War Saturday on September 26
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum will host Civil War Saturday on Saturday, September 26, 2026, offering visitors a full day of living history, demonstrations, special exhibits and programs exploring Minnesota’s Civil War story.
Activities will include Civil War artillery and infantry firing demonstrations, recruiting and drill demonstrations, guided tours of the museum’s Civil War Gallery, a Civil War medical tent, tintype photography, period tentage, a sanitary fair and apothecary, and a special exhibit of Civil War infantry arms. Visitors will also have opportunities to “Meet President Lincoln,” participate in recruit drills, take behind-the-scenes collections tours and join bus tours to the original Fort Ripley site.
“Civil War Saturday is an important part of our museum’s commitment to programming that brings Minnesota’s military history to life,” said Randal Dietrich, Executive Director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. “Programs like this give visitors an opportunity to explore Minnesota’s history and better understand the rich contributions Minnesotans have made to our state and nation.”
The public is welcome to attend. Civil War Saturday will be held at the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, 21702 Haven Road, Little Falls, Minnesota.
Media representatives interested in advance information, interviews or coordinating a media visit may contact:
Kevin Olson
Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
651-212-0573
kolson@mnmilitarymuseum.org
