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

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Bruce,

I earned my living for about 12 years demonstrating and selling at 
reenactments.  There are a number of publications that cater to the 
reenactors.  There are also several that make and sell the products that 
they need.  One of the problems getting young reenactors is the cost, 
clothes wepons and tents all ad up pretty fast. Another is the people in 
charge sometimes tend to be too picky about the details which can drive them 
away.  I was lucky, a full length apron covers most of my costume, and if 
they need a blacksmith they would overlook some historic faults. I never 
once had them insist that I get a wood and leather bellows instead of my 
hand crank blower. I did get sited once for having a plastic bucket, I 
usually had a wooden one which was fine.

I don't know how to motivate the kids, my son was real involved until he 
wanted to get married. Even though his wife came from a reenactment family 
they just don't have the time for it right now with 3  small boys.  I'm 
thinking that he will come back to it when his family gets older and he has 
free time again.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net



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?
>




------------------------------

_______________________________________________http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoaccess.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil





End of TheForge Digest, Vol 116, Issue 24
*****************************************



-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.3408 / Virus Database: 3222/6677 - Release Date: 09/18/13