Will I qualify as a "reenactor"?

[major bill]

What is the minimum effort one can do to qualify as a reenactor? I am a docent at the Michigan History Museum and we are having an open house type event next month. They have assigned me a table and I am to help young visitors try on Union sack coats and packs and such. Originally I insisted that I would not wear a "costume" and would be wearing a modern suit. Well when I had a meeting with the planners this and they asked once again if I would wear a Civil War uniform. I said no but they talked me in to taking home one of their Civil War uniforms. "Just in case you change your mind."

I am still trying to decide if I want to wear it. If I wear it once they will want me to wear it four or five times per year. So just in case I do wear it, would this meet the minimum requirement to say I once did a reenactment? I am not sure 4 or 5 hours in a frock coat, trousers and a cap really can be counted as having reenacted.

 

[DixieRifles]

I saw the Kids would be impressed to see a reenactor wearing a "real" uniform. They will know their items are costumes.

 

[mofederal]

You should go ahead Bill, there are worse things to wear, the kids will think it is cool. It takes more than wearing a uniform to be a reenactor. It is for the kids, so you won't be marching or drilling. So let them see what a well dressed soldier wears.

 

[major bill]

You should go ahead Bill, there are worse things to wear, the kids will think it is cool. It takes more than wearing a uniform to be a reenactor. It is for the kids, so you won't be marching or drilling. So let them see what a well dressed soldier wears.

About the only soldier I could properly reenact as would be a doughboy. The Pillsbury Doughboy. If you poke my tummy I will try to giggle.

How many 6 foot tall Civil War soldiers weighed 210 pounds? Did they even make uniform jackets in size 44 and trousers in size 38?

 

[major bill]

The good news is they will let me wear a uniform that the Michigan History Museum paid for so my personal costs are much less than most pay for their uniform and gear.

 

[Northern Light]

The good news is they will let me wear a uniform that the Michigan History Museum paid for so my personal costs are much less than most pay for their uniform and gear.

If you are comfortable with it, then go ahead. If not, then give it a miss. I love to dress up, so I am not a great judge for you!

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

First off, as a reenactor, I do NOT wear a "costume"......I find it insulting that such term is used.
To use that term means one is an actor and NOT a HISTORICAL reenactor.....

 

[major bill]

But in my case I am not a reenactor but more of an actor.

Also it was the Costume Committee that gave me the uniform to wear. They also provide the page from the "Authorized Costume Book" showing the proper way to wear the uniform.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

A reenactor:
Sleeps in the rain
Camps in the winter weather
Cooks rations over a fire
Wears full uniform/gear in 103 degree heat
Sleeps under the stars
Appreciates a cup of coffee
Shares hardships with Pards.....
Etc......

Are you a "reenactor" based on these criteria, or are you just a guy with a "costume"?

 

[major bill]

I see it as me being a guy in a costume. This is one of the reasons I am hesitating to wear the stuff they gave me to wear.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

No offense intended......But why are you a docent if you won't "dress the part"??

 

[major bill]

Most docents wear or perhaps modern clothing. I do not think if I wear a Civil War uniform one day and a 1835 farm outfit the next day and then a 1960 hippy outfit the next day, that I can pull off any of the parts. I am now in my 60s and way way to old to be any of the above.

 

[LoriAnn]

Most docents wear or perhaps modern clothing. I do not think if I wear a Civil War uniform one day and a 1835 farm outfit the next day and then a 1960 hippy outfit the next day, that I can pull off any of the parts. I am now in my 60s and way way to old to be any of the above.

It sounds to me like you are uncomfortable with this. I say don't force it, wear what you want, and you'll enjoy the day much more.

 

[Tailor Pete]

What is the minimum effort one can do to qualify as a reenactor? I am a docent at the Michigan History Museum and we are having an open house type event next month. They have assigned me a table and I am to help young visitors try on Union sack coats and packs and such. Originally I insisted that I would not wear a "costume" and would be wearing a modern suit. Well when I had a meeting with the planners this and they asked once again if I would wear a Civil War uniform. I said no but they talked me in to taking home one of their Civil War uniforms. "Just in case you change your mind."

I am still trying to decide if I want to wear it. If I wear it once they will want me to wear it four or five times per year. So just in case I do wear it, would this meet the minimum requirement to say I once did a reenactment? I am not sure 4 or 5 hours in a frock coat, trousers and a cap really can be counted as having reenacted.

Major Bill...

I must warn you away from doing something so misguided and dangerous as wearing a period uniform for an historical presentation. Once you do so, it won't be long before you crave the feel of thick wool against your skin, long for the struggle of unbuttoning your trowsers when going about your natural duties, and desire the thrill of marching about in stiff, unshapen leather booties.

After a bit, you will find yourself 'marching' about your daily routine with fife and drum cadence trilling about in your head. There will be an unexplainable draw to antique shops and high-end fabric stores. Hours will be spent on cyber shopping trips to CW sutlers. You might even find yourself spending even MORE time on CivilWarTalk!

Then there is the unbridled excitement which only manifests itself in the aromatic presence of leather, black powder and gun oil. The hours planning trips into the wilderness to sleep in primitive conditions, eat minimal rations, and bond with men (and women) who, like you, smell of unwashed goat. Yet once you get home, you will refuse to wash that uniform in the belief that that smell holds some kind of magical quality. A quality which can carry you back into history again and again and again...

No sir, please resist the temptation. Few are capable of rejecting the charms and riches that befall those of us that have unwittingly embarked upon this journey. Reenacting is but a Siren calling from the rocky jumble of living history. Many are drawn to her beautiful music but scant few ever leave.

Don't number yourself among the stranded hulks like me that have ventured too close to the rocks. I have become ensnared, hopelessly entangled in the 1860's, and 1850's, and 1870's, and 1920's and... well, most all of it. It is but a web that, as you wrap yourself comfortably in one era strand, others adhere.

Hopefully I have helped clear this up for you, and soon expect to see you on the firing line at a future reenactment. I'm a founding member of Company H, 8th Missouri Infantry and Company D, 39th North Carolina. You are welcome to fall in with us any time you're in Arizona!

 

[major bill]

I was way too busy to reenact until I retired. I got to retire young at age 52 and some friends thought I should join a Civil War reenacting unit. Really a 52 year old Civil War private? Even when I was a 20 year-old private first class I did not have a typical Civil War private look. Just take a look at my avatar which was me at age 20, I don't think I look much like a Civil War private.

 

[LoriAnn]

Many are drawn to her beautiful music but scant few ever leave.

Pete, your entire post was great.

I manage to get the heck outta Dodge every time, so I'm one of those scant few survivors. At every event, some of the reenactors try to lure me in. The women speak of dresses and hoops. The guys either bring up the dances or the weapons. It never, ever works on me.

Let's just say I am not the outdoors type. I like showers and clean, warm beds. I take photos and willingly sweat in the heat with everyone for a few hours. Then I'm over it.

However I'm so grateful for those of you who can handle it all! You are wonderful subjects to photograph.

 

[Mike Serpa]

"I am still trying to decide if I want to wear it."

"If I wear it once they will want me to wear it four or five times per year."

Nothing you have posted leads me to believe you want to wear the costume. What you need is an airtight alibi! If they insist you wear it, tell them you have a persistent and oozing rash you picked up in (country of your choice) that needs a special thick salve. The bandages have to be treated as biohazard and all your clothes have to be taken to the cleaners. HIPPA laws prevent you from giving too much personal health information. This leaves you in the clear to wear the clothes you want!

 

[Tailor Pete]

Admittedly, few of us have the look of a Civil War private... even my 14 year-old son (at 5' 6"ish and slender) doesn't have the proportions of a period soldier (he's super muscular.) As a tailor who has studied a great many articles of period clothing I can tell you that virtually NOBODY today is physically proportioned as folks were back then. My training as an anthropologist further supports this.

With that said, understand that we all strive to do things as close as possible to the period... looks not withstanding. Please don't let it stop you from trying 'living history.' If you're worried about your age, the magic of modern chemicals can take off decades from your hair. If you're worried about your girth, remember that CW uniforms were notorious for their poor, baggy fit. Just go up a size and let the wool sag a bit. That can be a great 'teachable' moment as you complain to your audience (in first person, of course) about the poor eyesight of Government contract tailors!

Where there's a Will, there's a way... but please, don't Fire at Will!

 

[Tailor Pete]

Pete, your entire post was great.

I manage to get the heck outta Dodge every time, so I'm one of those scant few survivors. At every event, some of the reenactors try to lure me in. The women speak of dresses and hoops. The guys either bring up the dances or the weapons. It never, ever works on me.

Let's just say I am not the outdoors type. I like showers and clean, warm beds. I take photos and willingly sweat in the heat with everyone for a few hours. Then I'm over it.

However I'm so grateful for those of you who can handle it all! You are wonderful subjects to photograph.

Ah HAH! You're the one in camp that smells soooo purty!

On a serious note, how about trying period photography? Tintype and Glass Plate photography is a challenge that many photographers find they really enjoy. You can still photograph us, and at the same time you could make some serious money in the process. Who knows... you might even be able to pay off the period equipment you will need, IN ABOUT TEN YEARS! LOL

I really wish more photographically gifted folks would try it though.

 

[LoriAnn]

Ah HAH! You're the one in camp that smells soooo purty!

Yep!

On a serious note, how about trying period photography? Tintype and Glass Plate photography is a challenge that many photographers find they really enjoy. You can still photograph us, and at the same time you could make some serious money in the process. Who knows... you might even be able to pay off the period equipment you will need, IN ABOUT TEN YEARS! LOL

I saw someone doing this at one event. I had a moment I'd love to get back too.

You know how sometimes you guys get visitors who ask really puzzling questions. Like, "Is that a real fire?"

We all laugh at those questions, right? Yeah. So what was the first darn thing out of my mouth when I stood there with this period photographer and his camera? Yep, you guessed it.

"Does this really take pictures?"

As soon as it came out of my mouth, I regretted it. I completely forgot myself. He laughed, "DOES THIS TAKE PICTURES?! SHE WANTS TO KNOW IF THIS TAKES PICTURES!!"

Ugh. I apologized. Then I helped him by holding a reflector for a photo as penance.