Re-enacting- a dieing hobby?

I would say reenacting is not dying, but then again, I have only seen reenactments in California. We, here in northern california, will sometimes go to schools while they are in school to get kids (high school age) more involved. many are very interested and that is the next generation that will carry on the reenacting, so I personally think that Civil War Reenacting will be here for many many years to come.

[30th_il]

I wonder if reenacting any war is waning because of the anti-gun movement in America. Could reenacting become politically incorrect?

[larry_cockerham]

Looks to me as if reenacting is on a definite upswing here in the midsouth. Considerably more interest in preservation/restoration projects for both battlefield remnants and for historic sites than I've seen in many years. Attendance at both the recent reenactment at Springhill (for Springhill,Franklin&Nashville) was quite impressive. There was a sizeable crowd at a little publicized celebration put on by the Park Service at the anniversary of the battle of Stones River. New sutleries are also being developed and seem to be doing thriving business. The press is even getting better and remains positive which should spur the entire 'hobby'.

[rbenne]

As a battalion commander for a national organization we have discussed this at length at staff meetings. The following conclusions, I believe, are pertinent.

1) Gas is $2.00 or so a gallon. That’s killing the national events as far as people coming from a distance.
2) Business as usual don’t work anymore. The old line commanders are a problem that must be addressed.
3) Small local events are not enough, the nationals are too far. The future is in regional mid level events.
4) The over emphasis on “period correct” has become an over emphasis on “my version of period correct right or wrong” and an arrogance that pushes people away from the hobby. That needs to end. To say my unit is good is fine, to say mine is good because everyone else is wrong is not. (as George and Shane related above)
5) The push to ban women hurts a great deal as well. If mama can’t play then daddy can’t either. Sure there were far fewer women in the war, but we must compromise in some ways in order to keep teaching as we do. No , we need not accept jeans and a t-shirt. But some things are required for the overall good.
6) I personally started reenacting about 15 years ago. It was not a big hobby. Then Ken Burns happened and we exploded. Years later we started declining and then Gettysburg hit the theaters and we exploded again. We have not had a movie in a long time that has this kind of effect (Gods and Generals didn’t make it)
7) If you want to see how its done right on a national level look into Birney’s Division www.birneysdivision.org
8) Most importantly of all, this is my 100th post

[unionblue]

Ray,

Congrats on your 100th post and welcome back! Seems like its been awhile since we last heard from you.

You make a lot of excellent points above concerning the hobby of reenacting. I hope more will listen to you and other who advance such a sane view of such.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[ole]

Ray:

As I am relatively new, I haven't read your previous posts, but I am glad you're back, wherever you've been.

There was a time that I wanted to re-enact, but I couldn't afford it. Now I can, but can no longer handle the rigors of doing it "right." Somewhere in there is a balance, but I won't be in on it.

Have wondered about the dichotomy between involvement and pristine accuracy. I like the idea of accuracy, but there is a point at which that becomes daunting. So. What's the answer? Sloppy period dress? Or numbers of involved enthusiasts? The more demanding the unit, the more expensive (and less fun) it becomes.

In my area, there is an annual reenactment in the 1763 area. Now, you know these people have air mattresses and coolers in their tents. Their chickens are from the local Jewel, and they are using the porta-potties. But it's still fun from the spectator side. We ignore the hidden beer and enjoy the fact that some people like to keep alive the arts of the era.
Ole

[rbenne]

Ole;

I’m sorry you feel that way about ACW reenacting, but I can understand it considering your experiences.

It’s not like that everywhere, there are a lot of good units around that do not insist that anal-retentive be hyphenated. The level of authenticity demanded by our “hard core” brethren is, in itself, un-period. There attitude toward there fellow soldiers etc, is extremely un-period.

Where do we draw the line? I use the ten foot rule myself. If it looks right from 10’ its right enough. While I encourage people to be as authentic as possible I do not demand it. There is a difference between giving someone a “really neat catalog you might like, check out the hats” and “that hats un-period you suck”

Sure we need draw the line somewhere, that’s why the ten foot rule. I can not count stitches from 10’ but I can see jeans, t-shirts or sears work pants. (The later of which we would not have a hobby without, talk to the old timers about how this hobby was built on sears work clothes for uniforms)

Ole, give us another chance, your missing out on some great times because of an anal few. Where do you live if I may ask? I may be able to recommend some folks.

Btw, I have done buck-skinning as well (1763 stuff) and enjoyed it as well. But it’s not the same…

Btw, un-period above is supposed to be the reenactors “F” word (far be it from me) but it keeps bleeping it

[Pegram]

I have been out of the hobby for awhile due to school and work, but am making a return. I don't think reenacting is dying out, it is thinning out . I think the inspiration of the movie Gettysburg and other related civil war media events are wearing off.. As far as why I enjoy it... I love reading about the war, primary source material is the driving force for me. As far as the comments on accuracy go; it's up to the individual how far they desire to take it..The campaigners go to great legnths to research accuracy and what they take into the field.. Other groups may be more relaxed.. It's up to the individual to get out and meet with the various groups, find a fit that's right.. A good group will have a set of standards up front and will assign a vet to get with the new recruit and allow that person to determine if thats the group for him or her.. To me, choosing a unit is like choosing a college, do they offer what I need to expand my knowledge of the war and the soldiers who fought it..

[johan_steele]

Raymond, it's good to see you back. I agree that what is needed more than anything in this hobby is a national board of some sort. Most officers in the hobby come about in much the same way as in 1861 either voted into their position by their unit or by creating the unit and taking the position by default. I suppose though that is quite realistic... either outstanding officers or ones that are truly worthless.

Without universal standards of some sort I think the hobby will hit a wall, if it hasn't already. What seems to be missing is flexibility and tolerence for the "newbie" and their common mistakes.

So Raymond... want to write up an article or six for the site?

[jenna]

Raymond you ol'dog where have you been? It's good to see you posting again!

I have to agree with what you had to say. It's good to hear that someone out there is taking up this cause to help better the hobby and get people into it.

I have to agree with you completely on the 10' rule! When you see my tent after hours you see the rubber maid drawers that we use as dressers, you see the flash lights, because I almost burned a tent down and I fefuse to put lanterns in my tent any longer. We use air matresses and my son has his modern books and toys out. During the day though, you don't see any of that. You don't know that they are air matresses, because they are covered with period quilts and we tell people that they are feather matresses, and they don't know. The "dressers" are slip covered with a period looking tapestry and you can't tell what they are. Everything is hidden.

I think it's easier for civilians then military. We don't have such strict rules. But we too have a set of standards that need to followed. I have seen women wearing sandles under their dresses, and pajama pants as pantalets. That of course is not acceptable. But everyone has to start somewhere, and the more we as seasoned re-enactors can help out the "newbies" the better they will come off.

I had the great pleasure of meeting someone that I now consider more a sister to me then just a friend, but she set us off on the right direction. When my family came out no one knew that we hadn't been doing this forever. No one guessed that we were newbies, because she helped guide us along the right path. We need more re-enactors out there to do that as well.

I know that at one time Shane had started a thread that talked about what to do and what not to do. We all as re-enactors need to come up with that same sort of list and distribute it to our new recruits and help them out instead of hounding them about this not being right, and that not being right. That just discourages people from doing this. There are allot of people out there that have no idea how to get into this. And all we have to do is tell them. Share with them, and make sure as to not scare them.

Thanks for your thoughts as well Johan. We do need universal standards, but realistic ones as well. We can't be hell bent on wheels and beat these people to death with beign 100% authentic right off the bat, but to be true to the cause of portraying history to the best of our ability.

Jenna