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

[Bob]

A similar discussion continues within many clubs and organizations 
concerning the abundance of gray hair in many groups. Our Northwest Ohio 
Blacksmiths group has more gray hair lately, the amateur radio 
fraternity is aging, the American Legion has difficulty attracting new 
members and the antique engine and tractor groups are in the same boat. 
Attracting younger folks it seems is not easy. Many of us don't have the 
latest smart phone and we don't know much about video games or texting. 
Historical things in general do not seem to interest the young folks. I 
don't think they get much real history in school anymore. I hope someone 
finds a way to reverse this trend before we lose our hobby completely.

To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil
freedom, and political and social happiness, which mankind now
enjoys…Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown,
our present republican forms of government – and all blessings
which flow from them – must fall with them.

Jedediah Morse

On 9/18/2013 7:51 AM, Bruce . wrote:
> 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?
>