Will I qualify as a "reenactor"?

[7thWisconsin]

Every good conversation should have a bibliography, so I would recommend "Enacting History" by Scott Magelsson. Although a bit uneven, as essay collections tend to be, it takes all attempts to portray costumed history seriously as trying to say something about the past or how we understand it.

 

[matthew mckeon]

I have never reenacted, but about thirty years ago, I worked as a summer ranger for the great state of Massachusetts. One of my duties was dressing as a 1850s worker. I was given a script and basically performed as a 1850s guy to demonstrate how some stuff worked. It was OK.

I am sensing that you are not comfortable with it. It you're working with kids or the public, you should be comfortable in your own skin. You can always change it up if you feel it would help your presentation.

 

[major bill]

Thanks for explaining what your particular job as a docent is!
But, in reference to your original question as to whether or not you are a "reeenactor"
I am confused......Do you WANT to be a reenactor, OR are you insulted if you are classified as a reenactor?

I guess I could have been a reenactor years ago except I was way to busy. In truth I never gave being a reenactor much thought.

I had a cousin who reenacted and it seemed like too much work to me. He probably took it to the extreem. He quit his job, bought a farm and farmed with horses. To look the part he took our the electricity, took out the running water and things like that.

 

[archieclement]

Not seeing where it makes a difference if your an actor or a reenactor.......your generating interest for children in the period at a museum event...your not specifically reenacting or recreating anything......

 

[frontrank2]

 

[Cpl. Smith]

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"?

Reenactor for two years now and I 100% agree. Wake up in a field with a little snow on your back you will really appreciate that cup of coffee.

 

[major bill]

One only drinks decaffeinated coffee in the cold. Have you forgotten everything they taught you at the various cold weather warfare schools that the Army made you attend?

 

[major bill]

Remember to look behind yourself when you fire 12 gage shotguns while on skis. Same applies when shoulder firing machine guns on skis.

 

[LoriAnn]

One only drinks decaffeinated coffee in the cold.

This has me terribly curious! Why?

 

[major bill]

Drinking caffeine makes you colder. This has to do with blood flow being effected by injesting a stimulate . Also caffeine has a tendency to help cause dehydration, which again impacts one's ability to stay warm.

Decaffeinated coffee and decaffeinated hot chocolate are exceptable but warm broth is a better choice.

 

[Irishtom29]

Drinking caffeine makes you colder. This has to do with blood flow being effected by injesting a stimulate . Also caffeine has a tendency to help cause dehydration, which again impacts one's ability to stay warm.

I was a boilermaker in Chicago, Local 1, and often worked outside in the winter building powerhouses, blast furnaces, refineries, smokestacks and such, and often at night on round the clock jobs. I often kept a half dog of VO or brandy in the breast pocket of my Carhartt and nipped at it to help warm up. When it was pointed out by someone that alcohol didn't make you warmer but only made you feel warmer I replied that feeling warmer was aces with me—we were on the job, not in a survival situation.