Civilian Reenacting (women)

rallyround · #1 12-09-2002, 09:04 PM

Hello all. I do not frequent this part of the site, and am not familiar with what has been posted in the past. I am somewhat short on time, but I need some help and posting this would be easier than searching through the whole section. One of my friends has decided that she would like to become a civilian reenactor. She would portray a Northern lady (teenager, to be exact). I must admit to knowing very little about proper etiquette for ladies who appeared in public. She needs some information on how to act. I could not help her here, and hope you may be able to give me some starters to pass on to her. Anything you would consider helpful is appreciated! Thanks.

tulip · #2 12-09-2002, 10:09 PM

Aimee, That's a mighty tall order. You friend will be trying to cram a lot in a short time.

Our civilian group welcomes teens, but usually someone acts as an informal mentor. Still there are couple of pointers that she should remember. Basically it is a matter of good manners and maintaining accuracy.

1. Accuracy is absolutely essential. Make sure that someone helps with costuming, at least the "get start basics."

2. No chewing gum, smoking, swearing, playing radios, snapping pictures, no coke cans or eating Big Macs. Avoid all modern food wrappers and containers. When in doubt use fabric scraps or brown wrapping paper.

3. Act like a lady. A lady wears gloves and a bonnet outside. At least have the gloves in your hands. Use a cloth hankie not kleenex.

4. Carry a burlap sack to keep essentials in and purchases out of view.

5. When you pass a gentleman in or out of uniform say "Good morning, sir" and give a quick bow of your head or a bob a curtsy. Get in the habit of using ma'm and sir during all conversations.

6. Don't use first names, even in casual conversations. It is Mrs. Grant or Miss Grant and Mister or Private Thomas - especially when the public is within earshot. Even children not related to you are called Miss or Mister. (In my experience, this is not always adhered to, but should be.)

7. If you turn down someone for a dance, do not dance the next two with anyone else.

8. Always wear white gloves when at a dance whether a formal ball or shindig around the campfire. Sweating hands were considered the epitome of rudness.

9. Whatever you carry, whatever you use, ask yourself: Was this available in 1861? This includes ball point pens, plastic hair brushes and mirrors, lipstick, lawnchairs, wrist watches. Don't assume it was available, if in doubt ask.

10. Plan out your persona. Give her a name, place of birth, siblings, parents. Give her a dream - marry a rich guy, live in town etc. Does she have a beau? Does she like gardening? Children? Reading?

11. Write a letter to your beau and keep it in your bag. Sometimes this helps when doing first person.

12. When you get to the event buy two books if available. First book should be on etiquette. Read it. Study it. Also buy a Everyday Life book one that gives prices - yardage, eggs, shoes along with popular books, plays, wages, occupations. There is an excellent one by Michael Varhola that lists most of these and provides a glossary of word usage, slang and definitions. Good buy and under $10
http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0898799228/qid=1039485611/s r=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-3714146-8914269?v=glance&s=books

Again, its a matter of good manners and avoiding all modern anachronisms.

Aimee: If she has any specific questions, tell her to email me at aurelie1999@aol.com

tulip · #3 12-09-2002, 10:12 PM

One other thing - at the event ask help of the sutlers catering to women's clothing and accessories. They are always ready to give pointers and provide advice. It's their passion. Or find a woman who is accurate and been reenacting for a couple of years and ask her for advice as well.

Finally, READ, READ, READ AND READ SOME MORE. Nothing can take the place of personal research and ongoing learning.

rallyround · #4 12-09-2002, 10:46 PM

Thank you, Connie. You have been very helpful. I am glad to hear from someone with so much to say. I will be sure to pass on all of your advice to my friend, with compliments. I am aware of all the work it takes to make a good first person impression and am trying to get my friend to realize this. Hopefully your words will help her see. Don't want anyone to get into something they can't handle! Thanks again!

tulip · #5 12-09-2002, 10:54 PM

Glad to do it Aimee. Like I said, if she has specific questions, I'll be glad to help. I walked many a yung'un through their first few events. And someone helped me as well. But it's like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. First the basics - an accurate costume and old fashioned manners, next all the hard work of researching and developing a few personas. That's the fun of it. I was a mess at the first event, but soon got into the groove.

Good luck to you both.

blue_zouave · #6 12-10-2002, 11:51 AM

I'll add one thing to the etiquette... if this is a young teen before coming-out age, under sixteen, she should not speak to any adult first socially. Children should be seen and not heard. (I know that's harsh, but life was harsh in the 19th century!) She also should not wander around alone, but go with a chaperone at all times when in public. This is for her own safety in these troubled times.

Zou (ever the champion of the young and female!)

rallyround · #7 12-10-2002, 07:44 PM

Thanks, Zou. I should have known that "children should be seen but not heard". Slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminders.

Faded_Coat_of_Blue · #8 11-27-2005, 03:14 PM

Tulip and Zou:

I also thank you for the information. I just began civilian re-enacting a short time ago, and I appreciate the tips you gave. I'm 13, and it might take me a while to get used to the "children should be seen and not heard" rule.

jenna · #9 01-26-2006, 10:38 PM

I should like to add something from the other side of this coin, and that is the living history end of it. Myself and the group that I belong to do living history, and not as first person. There is just way too much that people ask today that can not be answered in first person. So don't be afraid of not having a persona. In my opinion the role of the civilian re-enactor has changed and spectators want to learn, and they want information, like they would get off of the History channel.

I will agree whole heartedly that Michael Varhola's "Every Day Life During the Civil War" is one of the best general knowledge books there is out there. I have it and have read it front to back several times. Every season I go back to it and recap a few things of interest, but I really never stop researching.

She should not be afraid in any ways to talk to people if questions are asked and for goodness sakes, don't make yourself so unapproachable that people just walk right past you. People don't know what to ask, so the question of "Do you have any questions?" just doesn't cut it. Be more specific, "Did you know that the common age for marriage for young girls was eighteen?" That gets people's attention. I would personally recommend studying etiquette. Young girls that age were learning how to run a house of their own. Remember the scene from Titanic ( I know, wrong time period, but it has it's roots in the CW) where the young girl was being trained on proper table etiquette? Young girls and teens were wrapped in etiquette, so this would be an appropriate topic to research and talk about.

I agree with Zou on the fact that she should not go about unescorted, and especially into millitary camp, unless she is with her brother or father. She never would have been allowed in otherwise. Stay with a group that specializes in civilian re-enacting, or find a millitary unit that has a civilian group attached to it.

Hope the helps as well,
Jenna

blue_zouave · #10 01-27-2006, 12:39 PM

Jenna, I do agree wholeheartedly. One of the needed roles in reenacting is the "interpreter" who can act as a bridge between the 19th century and 21st. A knowledgable young person can fulfill this very well. I would still suggest that in speaking to the 19th century persons, she use the correct forms of address and etiquette, i.e. "I beg your pardon, sir..." or "Forgive me, Mrs. Clark..."

It's just well to remember that children's opinions were not so valued in the 19th century as they are today.

Zou