[TheForge] Historical Reenactors
Aaron Porter
aaporter at sbcglobal.net
Wed Sep 18 14:57:47 EDT 2013
From a business perspective, if the people you are reaching out to aren't interested, you are reaching out to the wrong people. You may not know your target market or how to reach them. I can tell you that, while my interest in smithing did not come from the internet, some of the things I am experimenting with have. Maybe some of your reenactments should be posted on YouTube, with links to a website where people can learn more. Just a thought.
Aaron
On Sep 18, 2013, at 11:41 AM, theforge-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
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> 1. Re: OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"
> (Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer)
> 2. Re: OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"
> (Daniel Kretchmar)
> 3. Re: OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog" (Charles)
> 4. Re: OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"
> (Dick Snow)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:33:46 -0700
> From: Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer <artgawk at thegrid.net>
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors'
> "catalog"
> Message-ID: <E136633B-51C8-42B7-818F-1D7AD6C29DA3 at thegrid.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> We are not your standard issue folks to begin with, either young or old. The mass of teens were never interested.
> Self motivated folks who like to play with fire, make loud noises,have good 3 D visualization, some mechanical and perhaps artistic talent,
> are our potential replacements. We need to expose smithing to more of them.
> The hippie-crafts movement and the wanna-make-a-7'-sword romantics and the SCA,aging farriers,bored welders, and so on, have funneled many towards BS.
> The CBA is certainly turning gray as well. It's a concern.
> I'd rather not hear about your christianity, respectfully.
>
> On Sep 18, 2013, at 8:59 AM, Bob wrote:
>
> 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?
>
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:44:13 -0500
> From: Daniel Kretchmar <dan at irontreeworks.com>
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors'
> "catalog"
> Message-ID:
> <CAOqVVF3ZFcm6wouATKRK7Vk03jB5=LKptdVcMNNH7JnHQvZiPQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Bruce,
>
> I have been in the SCA for 35 years. In that time, I explored many facets
> of the organization. Please don't dismiss it entirely because of what I
> guess was a bad experience with some group or at some event. I have been
> to Rendezvous, Civil War musters, Clan Tartan Events and tried out the NWTA
> (Northwestern Territorial Alliance, the strictest group for authunticity I
> have seen. I am currently looking in a few Viking Age groups and a Saxon
> group called Regia Anglorum. Every group has it share of screw-ups and
> dilettantes.
>
> The SCA group that I "play" with attempts to faithfully reenact the life of
> a Viking Village at the Hjemkost Museum every year. We have 2 smiths, we
> use period fuel, wrought iron, and period tools, (even a stump anvil). The
> cooks make period recipes with period ingredients with period tools in hand
> woven dresses around a cooking fire. They use a replica of the Oseburg
> tripod that I made for them. We have wool spinners, dyers, period tents
> (albeit with modern canvas), furniture makers starting from the tree and
> ending with a stool, etc. The group that does this are serious about
> authenticity and research.
>
> Danr
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2013 at 10:59 AM, Bob <blcksmth at wcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>
>> ______________________________**______________________________**__
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>
>
>
> --
> "Estattu alvarligt, nei?"
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 10:05:20 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Charles <xlch58 at swbell.net>
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors'
> "catalog"
> Message-ID:
> <1379523920.68043.YahooMailNeo at web182201.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> The root of our political freedoms lay in Iraq oddly enough,
>
> Charles
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer <artgawk at thegrid.net>
>
>
> I'd rather not hear about your christianity, respectfully.
>
> On Sep 18, 2013, at 8:59 AM, Bob wrote:
>
>
> To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil
> freedom, and political and social happiness, which mankind now
> enjoys?
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 13:41:20 -0400
> From: "Dick Snow" <dick.snow at pobox.com>
> To: "'Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA'"
> <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors'
> "catalog"
> Message-ID: <0af201ceb496$49ffad70$ddff0850$@snow at pobox.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Also Smoke and Fire: http://www.smoke-fire.com/
>
> Dick Snow
> Datalytics, Incorporated
> Efland, NC
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of wmullett at bright.net
> Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 10:18 AM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT - dumb? idea -- historical reenactors' "catalog"
>
> 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 (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
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> TheForge mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net
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>> TheForge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.shutterfly.com
>> Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> Password: anvil
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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