Are there any reenactors here?
- Thread starter Jody
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- battle dress up fun reenacting
It can be, if you get the right group.
From what I know, from the outside, there tends to be a lot of gatekeeping and holier than though type things going on. The internet has just put a lot of emphasis on the amount of money and effort one puts into their equipment simply because it can be ordered and sourced so easily online and ergo, looks and image presentation have taken priority for many. And then you get the hardcore history types who only care about historical accuracy because of their "portrayal".
However, yes they can be fun if your main area of interest is in learning. It takes some research, which can be a very enjoyable part of the process, to assemble an outfit in your chosen genre or time period. As well as to engage in crafts, arts and other things as well and that's where it gets interesting. You'll learn by doing and there's lots of neat connections and things to the times and people that come from that as well.
If you can find a group that seems welcoming and is willing to enourage you, I'd say go for it! All the negatives aside, it can be really rewarding.
in fact, there's a week long camp out that occurs here yearly that recreates settlements from the American pioneer and setler days. Those people look like they're having fun! They're mostly retired with the time to do it and phones etc aren't allowed so there's very little much in the way of publicity and online photos. I've always wanted to go on a visitors day. They generally do look like they enjoy the experience rather than focusing on "internet cool".
From what I know, from the outside, there tends to be a lot of gatekeeping and holier than though type things going on. The internet has just put a lot of emphasis on the amount of money and effort one puts into their equipment simply because it can be ordered and sourced so easily online and ergo, looks and image presentation have taken priority for many. And then you get the hardcore history types who only care about historical accuracy because of their "portrayal".
However, yes they can be fun if your main area of interest is in learning. It takes some research, which can be a very enjoyable part of the process, to assemble an outfit in your chosen genre or time period. As well as to engage in crafts, arts and other things as well and that's where it gets interesting. You'll learn by doing and there's lots of neat connections and things to the times and people that come from that as well.
If you can find a group that seems welcoming and is willing to enourage you, I'd say go for it! All the negatives aside, it can be really rewarding.
in fact, there's a week long camp out that occurs here yearly that recreates settlements from the American pioneer and setler days. Those people look like they're having fun! They're mostly retired with the time to do it and phones etc aren't allowed so there's very little much in the way of publicity and online photos. I've always wanted to go on a visitors day. They generally do look like they enjoy the experience rather than focusing on "internet cool".
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I do, 1780s to 1820s. I make accessories for it, so i tend to roleplay at shows. Thing is, I do possible bags as a main item and have my husband be the "face" because I am a feminine woman and it doesn't fit when he looks like Grizzly Adams. When it comes to the deerskin suits, I have to step up because I make them from brain tanned tanning, design to sewing and my husband can't fake that.
I am a semi purist. My costumes are historically accurate except I use a machine to sew 90% of it. My apron is handsewed and I usually make 1 or 2 a day, depending on how busy I am. My accessories (obviously!) Are historically accurate that I use as is the food. Anything modern is hidden.
It's part of my business, and while I have fun, I have more fun with the research aspect of it. I live like 1930s Appalachia day to day, andi belong to a WWII group for fun.
@Totoro was right in his post, though.
I am a semi purist. My costumes are historically accurate except I use a machine to sew 90% of it. My apron is handsewed and I usually make 1 or 2 a day, depending on how busy I am. My accessories (obviously!) Are historically accurate that I use as is the food. Anything modern is hidden.
It's part of my business, and while I have fun, I have more fun with the research aspect of it. I live like 1930s Appalachia day to day, andi belong to a WWII group for fun.
@Totoro was right in his post, though.
SeaAndSky
Senior Registered
Hi Jody,
As part of our homeschooling experience for our children, when we were living close to Lake Erie, we got involved and became good friends with another homeschooling family from that area. At the time, I had moved ahead of the family far far away from my home in the South for a job "up North" and was looking for a house to rent for us to live in up there. I was driving along a country highway amidst rolling hills buried in snow West of Rochester, NY, when--to my shock--in the midst of that snowy wilderness, waving proudly on a flag pole against a grey sky, I saw the the bright colors of one of the flags of the Confederacy! (I think it was the Third Confederate Flag, but my memory has gotten a bit fuzzy at this point). At that point, I couldn't resist going back and finding out who would be doing such an audacious thing in the heart of Union territory. They were a bit surprised to have a complete stranger knocking at their door, but not overwhelmed. (I have to assume that I was not the first who stopped to inquire.
) However, this was the beginning of a great family friendship that lasted the whole time we lived in the area.
They introduced us to the Civil War reenactment group they were a member of and we attended many reenactments while we lived up there. The reenactments are typically held in state parks and usually centered around a battle reenactment, but the part I liked the best were the "Suttlers" who had period style goods, clothes, and books galore; and the many reenactment portayers with their fixed displays related to missionary works, battlefield medicine, everyday life, etc. etc. It was also great to wander among the two military camps with everything done up to period standards and the various "soldiers" eating and drinking in front of their tents and fires.
The people were great as were the events. Surprisingly perhaps, those portraying Confederates were just as numerous and just as enthusiastic as those portraying the "The Nawthen Invaders"--and all were dedicated to remaining in character and "living the life" of the era while they were portraying the life and events of that period. And, yes, they were serious and dedicated to authenticity, but I didn't find them to be snarky or hard to get along with in the least. Actually, I always found everyone very friendly and eager to interact. My daughter was able to get fully involved and spent the reenactments "sashaying" around with her friends in period dresses. However, for my sons this was more difficult as it involved investing in period style weaponry, etc. The one time I did hear a little snark (using period terminology) was when friends contributed clothing for one of my sons to participate in the battle, but no one could find shoes that would fit him. His white tennis shoes stood out alike a sore thumb and would have destroyed the authenticity of the reenacted battle.
Anyhow, it was a great experience, and I would heartily recommend it based on my own experience as a more casual onlooker.
Best,
S&S
PS--One of the annual reenactments in the area had an enclosed facility where the reenacters gathered for a period "Ball" with ladies and gents in appropriate garb. I also wished my wife and I could have participated in that.
PPS--If memory serves me, I believe we found some suitable footwear before the battle.
PPPS--All of the foregoing is, of course, just my own experience. Yours may vary.
As part of our homeschooling experience for our children, when we were living close to Lake Erie, we got involved and became good friends with another homeschooling family from that area. At the time, I had moved ahead of the family far far away from my home in the South for a job "up North" and was looking for a house to rent for us to live in up there. I was driving along a country highway amidst rolling hills buried in snow West of Rochester, NY, when--to my shock--in the midst of that snowy wilderness, waving proudly on a flag pole against a grey sky, I saw the the bright colors of one of the flags of the Confederacy! (I think it was the Third Confederate Flag, but my memory has gotten a bit fuzzy at this point). At that point, I couldn't resist going back and finding out who would be doing such an audacious thing in the heart of Union territory. They were a bit surprised to have a complete stranger knocking at their door, but not overwhelmed. (I have to assume that I was not the first who stopped to inquire.
) However, this was the beginning of a great family friendship that lasted the whole time we lived in the area. They introduced us to the Civil War reenactment group they were a member of and we attended many reenactments while we lived up there. The reenactments are typically held in state parks and usually centered around a battle reenactment, but the part I liked the best were the "Suttlers" who had period style goods, clothes, and books galore; and the many reenactment portayers with their fixed displays related to missionary works, battlefield medicine, everyday life, etc. etc. It was also great to wander among the two military camps with everything done up to period standards and the various "soldiers" eating and drinking in front of their tents and fires.
The people were great as were the events. Surprisingly perhaps, those portraying Confederates were just as numerous and just as enthusiastic as those portraying the "The Nawthen Invaders"--and all were dedicated to remaining in character and "living the life" of the era while they were portraying the life and events of that period. And, yes, they were serious and dedicated to authenticity, but I didn't find them to be snarky or hard to get along with in the least. Actually, I always found everyone very friendly and eager to interact. My daughter was able to get fully involved and spent the reenactments "sashaying" around with her friends in period dresses. However, for my sons this was more difficult as it involved investing in period style weaponry, etc. The one time I did hear a little snark (using period terminology) was when friends contributed clothing for one of my sons to participate in the battle, but no one could find shoes that would fit him. His white tennis shoes stood out alike a sore thumb and would have destroyed the authenticity of the reenacted battle.
Anyhow, it was a great experience, and I would heartily recommend it based on my own experience as a more casual onlooker.
Best,
S&S
PS--One of the annual reenactments in the area had an enclosed facility where the reenacters gathered for a period "Ball" with ladies and gents in appropriate garb. I also wished my wife and I could have participated in that.
PPS--If memory serves me, I believe we found some suitable footwear before the battle.
PPPS--All of the foregoing is, of course, just my own experience. Yours may vary.