The Dirk B.K. Van Raalte Collection houses the personal, family, Civil War, and business papers of Dirk B.K. Van Raalte. This collection, which dates from 1845–1925, consists of correspondence, business papers, and personal memorabilia, documenting the life and works of Dirk B.K. Van Raalte, including his time as a soldier in the Civil War, his presidency over Holland City State Bank, and his terms as Michigan legislator.
This collection fits into the broader narrative of immigration to the United States. Researchers interested in the history of Van Raalte's descendants, how veterans remembered the Civil War, and the 2nd/3rd generation immigrant experience will all find something to value in this collection.