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Revolutionary history comes alive at Upper Peninsula State Fair

By Sophie Vogelmann 5 min read

ESCANABA -- Fairgoers may have noticed a certain Revolutionary War soldier look-alike in the Miracle of Life Building at the Upper Peninsula State Fair this week.

While Thursday marked Honored Citizens Day, this particular "soldier" has been honoring America's history -- and his own -- throughout the week.

James A. Strain, a retired percussion and music history professor from Northern Michigan University, was stationed behind the U.P. Veterans Museum booth, where he spoke with passersby about his Revolutionary War attire and the museum's fundraising efforts.

T-shirts and other merchandise are available for purchase at the booth, with proceeds going toward the U.P. Veterans Museum inside the Delta Chamber of Commerce building at 1001 N. Lincoln Road. The booth is also accepting donations for both the Veterans Museum and the Webster Marble Museum, located inside the Chamber.

While visitors passing through town -- and even some locals -- may be unaware of the museums housed inside the Chamber, Strain said they are gaining recognition.

"I would tell you that more people don’t seem to know about it than do," Strain said. "But over the years, as I encounter more people at the fair, they say they do know about it. Younger students will say, "Oh, I've been to that one on field trips, I know what you're talking about."

In previous years, Strain dressed as a Civil War soldier, honoring veterans who fought for the North. This year, he decided to step further back in history to honor America's 250th birthday.

"I decided I would wear an American Revolutionary War Uniform. If you were a musician, you wore the opposite colors of other soldiers on your outfit. So, being a musician, I have red coat and blue facings, but the soldiers would all have a blue coat with red facings on it," Strain said.

Strain's choice of attire also carries a personal significance.

"I’m dressed that way also in honor of one of my grandfathers, who was an actual drummer in the Revolutionary War in 1775," Strain said. "Being the descendant of a drummer -- he actually was a music teacher as well -- that being my profession, it means something to me."

Musicians wore different uniforms because, as Strain explained, drummers served an important role on the battlefield, using signals to communicate orders to soldiers. Their duties could include signaling battle orders, directing soldiers to the flagpole for opening ceremonies, waking them in the morning and more.

Strain's connection to the U.P. State Fairgrounds also extends beyond the annual fair week.

He previously gave the dedication speech for the fairground’s Antique Village Patriot Memorial, which honors two War of 1812 veterans who were awarded land that would eventually become part of the U.P. State Fairgrounds.

In recognition of America's 250th birthday, Strain was also invited by the Marquette Regional History Center about a year ago to give a presentation. He ultimately presented on Benjamin Franklin and the flags of the Revolution in Michigan.

Some years ago, Strain discovered an unexpected connection to one of the nation's Founding Fathers: Benjamin Franklin is his first cousin, ten generations removed.

Strain is also the commander of the Albert and James Lyon Camp 266 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a fraternal organization preserving the legacy of veterans who fought to save the Union in the Civil War.

The organization honors veterans through direct descendants of those who fought for the North in the Civil War by marking and documenting graves, performing ceremonies and making dedications.

Strain's chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was contacted by an individual researching an unknown soldier in Mackinaw City. An unknown soldier who died in 1918 was buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City, though his identity remained a mystery for more than a century.

After researching the case, Strain discovered the soldier's identity through an article in the Detroit Free Press and a death certificate confirming it.

While explaining his research methods, Strain said, "If it is a soldier, you’d think they’d make papers if they found a dead body in the spring thaw, no matter what. So, it took me about two hours to say, 'Oh, yeah, there’s an article… He said, 'This is amazing. How did you do that and all that?' I said, 'Well, I just did what I know how to do.'"

Just this past Sunday, a ceremony was held to dedicate a memorial for the previously unidentified soldier, whose identity was uncovered through the efforts of Strain and others who worked to ensure his story would not be forgotten.

Strain's efforts to preserve history also extend to the Fourth of July. He has led the front of the parade in Marquette for at least two decades, playing a drum while wearing the same uniform he brought to the fair this week.

At the fair, where conversations can begin with a passing glance, Strain is helping ensure that stories ranging from Revolutionary War soldiers to veterans closer to home are honored for centuries to come.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

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