How old is too old?

[Northern Light]

Not all reenactors look for a shade tree. Some of us have a deep respect for the hard life of our kinsmen before us. Some of us skip the shade tree and lemonade stand hits and choose to instead , carry and eat period rations, sleep in the same manner as did our ancestors and we forego the canvas cabin with 100 pound lathe turned poles. Anachronism's, better yet reenactorism's , we have got to as a community of civil war historians, more deeply educate ourselves.
In the early events of 2010 , I volunteered to put on my usual kick butt presentation for school days. I was told that i offended wives and husbands but letting the children in every group know, that a soldier saw static camps a hand full if times in his life, and it was not the norm. In fact, they were very upset. I have not reenacted since.
Please realize folks, that the younger generation of reenactors are hughly turned away by statement's like the ones about shade trees and lemonade. Not to mention how foolish it makes one look.

My opinion only, but when I see re-enacting, I don't really notice the things that are anachronistic or "farby". What I notice is the kids and adults asking questions, getting to see what camp life was like, to touch things that are usually seen behind glass in museums, play period games and generally enjoy themselves while they learn something about the time period of the re-enactment. To me this is of much more value than whether you chose to "die" in the shade or risk sunstroke in the open. I admire those who chose to re-enact because they take the time to do it, and provide teachable moments for the rest of us, while having fun themselves.. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Sawrocker249]

My opinion only, but when I see re-enacting, I don't really notice the things that are anachronistic or "farby". What I notice is the kids and adults asking questions, getting to see what camp life was like, to touch things that are usually seen behind glass in museums, play period games and generally enjoy themselves while they learn something about the time period of the re-enactment. To me this is of much more value than whether you chose to "die" in the shade or risk sunstroke in the open. I admire those who chose to re-enact because they take the time to do it, and provide teachable moments for the rest of us, while having fun themselves.. Again, just my opinion.

That depends greatly my friend on what the answers to these questions are. And this camp life your talking about, is most likely a "camp life" seen maybe three times by a soldier. And that "camp life" depicts a leisurely camping trip atmosphere, not a four months on hard campaign atmosphere. Cowboys with tents and guns is what these children see. I have made it a mission, even though I hatw mainstream events to infiltrate their sad excuse for school day presentations, and give the kids something jam up, that they really get a gut feeling of pity, where they can touch real objects of the soldiers life, where they can sit on a painted cloth and really learn what a soldiers life entailed. Sir, I mean no disrespect but the fact that you took offense to that, and tried to defend it by faining attention, well I am inclined to believe that your standards of what is teaching children about the civil war are far below my standard. Good day sir.

 

[Poor Private]

The ultimate way I look at it (being 60). I can still run and march up and down the field, I can still have fun, which to me is still number 1. If you can't have fun it's time to leave. I can pass on information and what I have learned to both new people and the spectators. With retirement staring me in the eye I can see even though I will have more time to run around the country, finances are going to make me make choices on where I go. So for the next couple of years I will fight those who say your too old, tooth and nail. At least I have the gumption to get off of my can and go do something other than watch the boob tube-and live on the internet, and play video games!

 

[Sawrocker249]

The ultimate way I look at it (being 60). I can still run and march up and down the field, I can still have fun, which to me is still number 1. If you can't have fun it's time to leave. I can pass on information and what I have learned to both new people and the spectators. With retirement staring me in the eye I can see even though I will have more time to run around the country, finances are going to make me make choices once where I go. So for the next couple of years I will fight those who say your too old, tooth and nail. At least I have the gumption to get off of my can and go do something other than watch the boob tube-and live on the internet, and play video games!

Bully for you friend.

 

[Will Posey]

Having attended several "reenactment" events over the years, I've seen few that actually reenact the original battle. Most come across as being demonstrations of maneuvers and equipment, which are interesting and informative, but fall short of one's learning much about the action that took place. While some might think having a narrator speaking over a PA system is unauthentic, I find it very helpful in understanding what transpired.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

My opinion only, but when I see re-enacting, I don't really notice the things that are anachronistic or "farby". What I notice is the kids and adults asking questions, getting to see what camp life was like, to touch things that are usually seen behind glass in museums, play period games and generally enjoy themselves while they learn something about the time period of the re-enactment. To me this is of much more value than whether you chose to "die" in the shade or risk sunstroke in the open. I admire those who chose to re-enact because they take the time to do it, and provide teachable moments for the rest of us, while having fun themselves.. Again, just my opinion.

AMEN!!!

 

[unionblue]

Not all reenactors look for a shade tree. Some of us have a deep respect for the hard life of our kinsmen before us. Some of us skip the shade tree and lemonade stand hits and choose to instead , carry and eat period rations, sleep in the same manner as did our ancestors and we forego the canvas cabin with 100 pound lathe turned poles. Anachronism's, better yet reenactorism's , we have got to as a community of civil war historians, more deeply educate ourselves.
In the early events of 2010 , I volunteered to put on my usual kick butt presentation for school days. I was told that i offended wives and husbands but letting the children in every group know, that a soldier saw static camps a hand full if times in his life, and it was not the norm. In fact, they were very upset. I have not reenacted since.
Please realize folks, that the younger generation of reenactors are hughly turned away by statement's like the ones about shade trees and lemonade. Not to mention how foolish it makes one look.

Sawrocker249,

Chill out and take a breath.

Seriously,
Unionblue

 

[thomas aagaard]

As long as a person is not to big to fit in the ranks and have the ability to keep up to the standard "quick time" I don't care about their age. (or sex for that matter)

If anyone ever complain about you age mention the gray beard regiment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/37th_Iowa_Volunteer_Infantry_Regiment

 

[Sawrocker249]

Im not out of breath pard.

Sawrocker249,

Chill out and take a breath.

Seriously,
Unionblue

I am not short of breath pard , but thank you for the concern. If one may, Why am I not entitled to be as passionate about being a good steward of authenticity as you folks must be of the opposite?

 

[Bob Owen]

I sure would like to meet the "last word of authenticity". I have met several who thought they were!

 

[James B White]

I sure would like to meet the "last word of authenticity". I have met several who thought they were!

I think the point is that one would expect encouraging authenticity to be appreciated, if the hobby were mainly about history, but in fact, encouraging authenticity is often discouraged.

I realized that disappointment years ago. I used to think that reenactors and museum living history people were so cool, because they had a boundless interest in history and loved to encourage that interest in others.

Then I realized: what many were really doing was encouraging you to be like them. No more, no less. As long as they were more interested than you, they encouraged you to improve. But if you became more interested than them, they switched to discouraging any further improvement or especially any attempt to point out potential improvements. As we've seen right here in this thread.

As far as age, I'd say it's just one of many factors. Events rarely if ever have upper age limits on soldiers, so one can just decide what one is comfortable with, as far as what would be typical and believable for one's age and appearance, and as far as what roles are available. Some events offer more for civilians than others. If the main attraction is a ladies tea and fashion show, a male civilian may feel like a fifth wheel, and the military is the best option. I've been to other events where civilian roles are an integral part and one can search the census for someone who's a fair fit as far as age, sex and ethnicity, and portray either him or a fictional/typical person with the same demographic.

 

[Sawrocker249]

There is a little place down the road with great joe, I could meet you there. I did not intend to draw fire like I did friend, but I am entitled to try and sway others to just, well, think a little deeper. And I by no means meant to appear rough, text does not convey emotion. I am constantly bettering my impression. I have seen real combat, and I can not imagine what our kinsmen before us saw . My passion is only for children and adult spectators to walk away from an event with a chilled sense of respect, not with a laugh as they go through the " did you see the one with his buttcrack and belly button showing " or ," what about the one in the davy crockett hat?" Please dont be offended sir. I have found tonight that it is impossible to talk the matter of authenticity in this venue.

 

[Nathanb1]

There is a little place down the road with great joe, I could meet you there. I did not intend to draw fire like I did friend, but I am entitled to try and sway others to just, well, think a little deeper. And I by no means meant to appear rough, text does not convey emotion. I am constantly bettering my impression. I have seen real combat, and I can not imagine what our kinsmen before us saw . My passion is only for children and adult spectators to walk away from an event with a chilled sense of respect, not with a laugh as they go through the " did you see the one with his buttcrack and belly button showing " or ," what about the one in the davy crockett hat?" Please dont be offended sir. I have found tonight that it is impossible to talk the matter of authenticity in this venue.

You might possibly be happier on a less civil site. Don't let us stop you from being happy. You might consider reading the terms of membership and rules for this forum.

Posted in Capacity as Moderator

 

[Sawrocker249]

I wont last long here I suppose. I have already been notified that my posts were deleted. That I attacked the older constituents, and that I was somehow vulgar. It is a shame. Thanks for the encouraging words friend, drink water, drive on.

 

[Sawrocker249]

You might possibly be happier on a less civil site. Don't let us stop you from being happy. You might consider reading the terms of membership and rules for this forum.

Posted in Capacity as Moderator

I am having a very hard time understanding. I would like to just drop it. I can easily ignore. There are other areas if the site that interest.

 

[Nathanb1]

I am having a very hard time understanding. I would like to just drop it. I can easily ignore. There are other areas if the site that interest.

Well. That was coherent.

 

[Old Bay]

I'm not a reenactor, this is all just a slightly pudgy outsider's opinion.

I think there's balance needed. There aren't a lot of people in the industry to begin with and to immediately start taking guys out of the line because of their age or because they weigh a little too much seems counter productive. People being as accurate as possible is commendable and should be what is striven for, but I think it's a scenario of cutting your nose to spite your face if you go too hardcore.

I'd rather have people who knew what they were talking about and have the proper equipment (even if it's not top notch but can pass with a good standard) even if they were a little round and grey.

Realizing that, unfortunately, this sort of stuff gains interest from mostly older clientele, we as a community should work with that rather than set up extra hurdles.

 

[Sawrocker249]

It has been brought to my attention that my post's to this thread have offended many. @ unionblue @ caswellranger and others, I deeply apologize for offending you. We are all on the same side, and I let past experience shape new relationships in a bad way. I am so sorry and I will tread more lightly. We will never make our forced marches destination if I am stepping on everyones toes. I hope you all can forgive and forget.

 

[Northern Light]

Don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe you just need to feel your way into the group, instead of coming in with both guns blazing. There are a lot of very smart and very knowledgeable people on this forum. You can learn a lot if you keep an open mind and we might just learn some thing from you, too. And by the by, I am not a sir!

 

[jgoodguy]

I think the point is that one would expect encouraging authenticity to be appreciated, if the hobby were mainly about history, but in fact, encouraging authenticity is often discouraged.

I realized that disappointment years ago. I used to think that reenactors and museum living history people were so cool, because they had a boundless interest in history and loved to encourage that interest in others.

Then I realized: what many were really doing was encouraging you to be like them. No more, no less. As long as they were more interested than you, they encouraged you to improve. But if you became more interested than them, they switched to discouraging any further improvement or especially any attempt to point out potential improvements. As we've seen right here in this thread.

As far as age, I'd say it's just one of many factors. Events rarely if ever have upper age limits on soldiers, so one can just decide what one is comfortable with, as far as what would be typical and believable for one's age and appearance, and as far as what roles are available. Some events offer more for civilians than others. If the main attraction is a ladies tea and fashion show, a male civilian may feel like a fifth wheel, and the military is the best option. I've been to other events where civilian roles are an integral part and one can search the census for someone who's a fair fit as far as age, sex and ethnicity, and portray either him or a fictional/typical person with the same demographic.

People like to control other people. People like to be right and the other fellow wrong. Been so since the beginning of time.

Been noted that reenacting in general is farby even the hard core. Accuracy becomes a personal goal.

Then there is the question of what the audience wants. Entertainment or history lesson. How many folks loved history class? Figure that and you got your answer. Back to personal goals.

Humans been reenacting great battles since they lived in tribes and reenactments were dances with masks. Accuracy was not a big thing then either. Rome built the Colosseum especially for reenactments. Still have folks doing Roman reenactments.

According to statistics I have read, the number of civil war reenactors registering for events has fallen by 50% over the last 10 years. My guess is that if 50 was the upper limit, it would fall by half again. Pessimists claim that the bottom will not be reached until the 150ths cycle ends and lots of old timers depart hard ground for soft beds.

Anyway this rambling is simply to note that accuracy is not the issue, survival is.