Reenacting

[Dmax90]

How do I get into reenacting? Where can I find local groups to join?

 

[Legion Para]

While this forum has a 'Reeanctors' sub forum which might be helpful, I would post a thread on the following forum. They can answer all of your questions.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com

 

[unicornforge]

Depends on what flavor of reenacting and/or living history fits your taste. Authentics at one end, and family friendly groups at perhaps not quite at the other end, but definitely not the same type of group. Your best bet it to find reenactments and living history events near you and go and talk to various groups. You will want to blend in with any group you join, so wait for their advice on where to purchase equipment.

 

[Irishtom29]

Authentic reenacting?

 

[Legion Para]

For more mainstream reenacting, try this website.

http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/activity.php

 

[Stony]

Google Indiana civil war reenactors.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

I agree with Stony....Google it!! That is exactly how I found the unit that I have been with for 12 years.
OR, you could wait for reenacting season to start, go to the nearest reenactment, walk through the camps and talk to the reenactors......

 

[Dmax90]

Thank you everybody!! I love being part of this forum. It feels like I'm talking to friends instead of strangers. What an amazing community!

 

[Tin cup]

How do I get into reenacting? Where can I find local groups to join?

OK, are you wanting to do Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, Civilian? Yank, Confederate, or both?

It is not a cheap hobby to get into, and there is a lot of fantastic, but also downright BAD info out there that you can unknowingly get wrapped up in. A lot of folk will offer advice, and it will be easy to be lead into the wrong direction. You may not have any idea if the uniformed person you run into at an event, really does know what he's talking about.

I need you to understand something, though...Set your goals high!
The best thing you can do is get good quality equipage/uniform the FIRST time you make your purchase. For example you can't just walk into a place like Fall Creek Sutlery, buy a cartridge box, and assume it's correct. This would apply to anything purchased, at most any Sutlery at an event. A lot of stuff may look like it's what you want, but the big trap is once you purchase something, you may be stuck with it, and have a hard time trying to get rid of it for, something that is truly authentic, and holds it's value latter on.

There are products being made by a select group of folk who take pride in their work, and research, and if you purchase their goods, they hold good value. They may not be cheap, but this hobby is nothing you want to skimp on if you intend to go the long haul with it.

Also another thing to understand is that if you purchase QUALITY stuff, you may be able to go reenact, or do living history at places that typical mainstream reenactors won't get invited to. There are a lot of groups out there that will set up an event, either on NP Battle Ground Parks, State Battle Parks, or, even on private land. They will have serious qualifications they want the attending folk to adhere to, so they can try to recreate what it was like 150+ years ago. Groups like the WIG (Western Independent Grays) have a good reputation with NP, and State Park folk, and set up events that are great to attend. I have joined up with them at their events, though I'm not a hard core member. They send out notifications of the event, set standards, and folk from all over the country rally to attend. There are several groups like that all over the Country.
If you are able to get with a good authentic minded unit, you may be amazed where you can go, that mainstreamers won't be able to attend.
Not intending to scare you, just something I learned way early on.

The Authentic Campaigner has been listed on here, and it's a great place for information on who makes what quality uniform/equipage. Use their search function, it's a valuable tool! They could direct you to a unit in Indiana that suits your requirements.

Just to whet your interest, here are a FEW places you can look to see quality goods, it is in no way a complete list...
http://wwandcompany.com/ Uniforms/clothing
http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/ Shoes, leather goods
http://crchilds.com/ Uniforms, clothing
http://www.olsonstinware.com/ Tin ware
http://www.njsekela.com/featured_products.php A lot of quality items for the hobby.
http://www.benderhats.com/products.html Hats. (He's closing shop soon!)
http://clearwaterhats.com/Civil War/civilwarcontents.htm Hats.
http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/ Hats.

Kevin Dally

 

[Delhi Rangers]

OK, are you wanting to do Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, Civilian? Yank, Confederate, or both?

It is not a cheap hobby to get into, and there is a lot of fantastic, but also downright BAD info out there that you can unknowingly get wrapped up in. A lot of folk will offer advice, and it will be easy to be lead into the wrong direction. You may not have any idea if the uniformed person you run into at an event, really does know what he's talking about.

I need you to understand something, though...Set your goals high!
The best thing you can do is get good quality equipage/uniform the FIRST time you make your purchase. For example you can't just walk into a place like Fall Creek Sutlery, buy a cartridge box, and assume it's correct. This would apply to anything purchased, at most any Sutlery at an event. A lot of stuff may look like it's what you want, but the big trap is once you purchase something, you may be stuck with it, and have a hard time trying to get rid of it for, something that is truly authentic, and holds it's value latter on.

There are products being made by a select group of folk who take pride in their work, and research, and if you purchase their goods, they hold good value. They may not be cheap, but this hobby is nothing you want to skimp on if you intend to go the long haul with it.

Also another thing to understand is that if you purchase QUALITY stuff, you may be able to go reenact, or do living history at places that typical mainstream reenactors won't get invited to. There are a lot of groups out there that will set up an event, either on NP Battle Ground Parks, State Battle Parks, or, even on private land. They will have serious qualifications they want the attending folk to adhere to, so they can try to recreate what it was like 150+ years ago. Groups like the WIG (Western Independent Grays) have a good reputation with NP, and State Park folk, and set up events that are great to attend. I have joined up with them at their events, though I'm not a hard core member. They send out notifications of the event, set standards, and folk from all over the country rally to attend. There are several groups like that all over the Country.
If you are able to get with a good authentic minded unit, you may be amazed where you can go, that mainstreamers won't be able to attend.
Not intending to scare you, just something I learned way early on.

The Authentic Campaigner has been listed on here, and it's a great place for information on who makes what quality uniform/equipage. Use their search function, it's a valuable tool! They could direct you to a unit in Indiana that suits your requirements.

Just to whet your interest, here are a FEW places you can look to see quality goods, it is in no way a complete list...
http://wwandcompany.com/ Uniforms/clothing
http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/ Shoes, leather goods
http://crchilds.com/ Uniforms, clothing
http://www.olsonstinware.com/ Tin ware
http://www.njsekela.com/featured_products.php A lot of quality items for the hobby.
http://www.benderhats.com/products.html Hats. (He's closing shop soon!)
http://clearwaterhats.com/Civil War/civilwarcontents.htm Hats.
http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/ Hats.

Kevin Dally

I have two of Tim Bender's hats. Quality hats and Tim is a quality person. I didn't know he was planning on closing his shop. Sad to hear.

 

[Tin cup]

I have two of Tim Bender's hats. Quality hats and Tim is a quality person. I didn't know he was planning on closing his shop. Sad to hear.

I have two of his also, he posted his closing on FB, has enough material for some more hats, but when it's gone, he's done.

Kevin Dally

 

[Delhi Rangers]

I have two of his also, he posted his closing on FB, has enough material for some more hats, but when it's gone, he's done.

Kevin Dally

Sad to hear so many great vendors have gotten out over the last 10 years or so. I use to be a member of the WIG Battalion. I haven't participated in anything for about 5 years or so. I still have all of my stuff and I have been entertaining the thought of selling it all. Hard to find the time now with my career.

 

[SBrown]

How do I get into reenacting? Where can I find local groups to join?

http://www.4thvirginia.com/index2.php out of Indianapolis. Really great guys. They are an authentic Army of Northern Virginia campaign group. I have been with them since 1999. If you wanted Federal, they would lead you to the right people. People are from Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Anderson, etc.

Infantry unit has existed for well over 40 years, and still has a few active members from the founding.

 

[SBrown]

Dmax90, have you been able to get in touch with any reenacting units? Thanks, Sam Brown

 

[MC44]

I agree with Stony....Google it!! That is exactly how I found the unit that I have been with for 12 years.
OR, you could wait for reenacting season to start, go to the nearest reenactment, walk through the camps and talk to the reenactors......

That is how I became involved last year. I went to a local reenactment, spoke with those there and said how I always wanted to do it. I was met with "Why don't you?" I had no answer and joined then and there. They were great about teaching me about how and what to get for gear. Be careful! It can be mighty addicting!