[TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"

Wed Sep 18 11:18:57 EDT 2013

I am new to blacksmithing and wasn't originally interested in reenactments
because I was under the misguided assumption that women didn't historically
become blacksmiths.  However, I have recently done some research and found
that a few female blacksmiths have been documented.

http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-blacksmith-can-be-stylish-too-c-1775.html

I found this site and the dress doesn't look as cumbersome as I originally
thought.  If a catalog can be formed please don't forget to add a few items
for the ladies to get involved too.

On Wed, Sep 18, 2013 at 9:29 AM, CGRAF <adveniam at att.net> wrote:

> Pulling off something like the Whole Earth Catalog for reenactments would
> be a terrific venture.
>
> I still have my Catalog, much yellowed and dog eared, clearly long past
> the time the paper was designed to last.
>
> Mike Graf
>
>
> On 9/18/2013 9:18 AM, wmullett at bright.net wrote:
>
>> http://jas-townsend.com/ has revolutionary clothing, camping and cooking.
>>
>>
>> ---- Original message ----
>>
>>> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:51:15 -0400
>>> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.**net<theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net>(on behalf of "Bruce ." <
>>> freemab222 at gmail.com>)
>>> Subject: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"
>>> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>>
>>> I recently stopped by a Revolutionary War encampment at one of
>>> Washington's
>>> many HQ's in NJ, and what was obvious was how few were the reenactors and
>>> how old they were (like, older than me, mostly!).  This is disappointing
>>> because it is obvious to me how important such reenactment can be.  The
>>> "few" I can't criticize, because I no longer do any sort of such
>>> reenacting
>>> myself, so can't point fingers.  The "old" can only be addressed by
>>> getting
>>> younger folk involved.  But how?
>>>
>>> (Digression -- I suspect many of the folks who might otherwise embrace
>>> reenacting have been seduced -- perhaps literally -- into the SCA scene.
>>> Dressing up and playing faux-medieval roles is fun for some, but I have
>>> enough problems maintaining ONE persona, much less two or three.  Which,
>>> by
>>> the way, is one reason I prefer "ghost interpretation" to "first-person
>>> interpretation."  I suspect that with some encouragement, even die-hard
>>> SCA-ites might embrace historical reenactment.)
>>>
>>> It has since dawned on me that younger people may simply need to be
>>> encouraged.  It can be difficult to get it all together to do reenacting.
>>> You can't exactly waltz into Target and buy the clothing and gear.  And
>>> many, if not all, these reenacting groups are REAL fussy about historical
>>> accuracy.  That's part of what's so important -- "Washington's troops"
>>> won't be seen marching around in jeans and T-shirts, but in historically
>>> accurate accoutrements, often even rejecting cotton clothing in favor of
>>> linen!
>>>
>>> So here's my thought (unresearched to see whether it's been thought of
>>> already):  Maybe a catalog could be assembled (think "Whole Earth
>>> Catalog"
>>> for those of you old enough to know what I'm talking about) that would
>>> provide information where to get the clothing and equipment needed for
>>> different era reenactment -- and maybe even listing what is needed in
>>> clothing and gear for various roles.  I realize that no single list would
>>> suffice for every reenactor in every era (Rendezvous, Revolutionary War,
>>> Civil War), but a shirt is a shirt and probably didn't change all that
>>> much
>>> across that time period.
>>>
>>> Some of the clothing can be purchased (I understand) from Amish
>>> suppliers.
>>> Like I said -- I haven't researched this idea, so maybe there exist
>>> multiple sources already which could simply be assembled into a master
>>> list.  I don't propose printing this "catalog" of course, but simply
>>> creating a website.  Maybe it could be set up as a Wiki, so additional
>>> contributions could be made at any time.  (Of course, significant numbers
>>> of hand-forged items, knives, etc., would be needed, giving an
>>> opportunity
>>> for some blacksmiths and knifemakers to show their wares.)
>>>
>>> Thoughts?  Comments? Volunteers?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bruce
>>> NJ
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-- 
Carrie Haag

"If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended- that you
have but slumb'red here while these visions did appear."  ---Shakespeare