Introduction to Reenacting

This is just a comic starting point to get the class rolling This is just a comic starting point to get the class rolling. Talk about some of the things mentioned in the cartoon.

Overview Introductions What is reenacting? History Jargon Types of reenactments What it takes to attend reenactments Starting points in reenactment research Read each piece we will be going over in class

Introductions Introductory background of instructor and what the interests of the participants are Give a brief bio of yourself Ask the students – what interests do they have based on time period and what made them decide to look into reenacting

What is Reenacting? Reenactor Who can become a reenactor What to expect Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. Who Can Become a Reenactor? Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (military participation: 12 or 13 is common for drummers, 16 for battle participation) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles - such as on the battlefield. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. If you choose an active reenactment role, you'll need to be in good health - capable of the physical activity and lack of everyday comforts that are inherent in reenacting. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. What to Expect From Reenacting Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. Most people take their roles seriously, and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars or more depending on the person you are portraying, and reproduction period weaponry as much as $1000 (cannons can cost in the tens of thousands). Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food (though some cooking on an open fire is very good), to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches or phones. Participating in reenactments also takes time - but this can be as little as a 2-3 hour event once or twice a year, to a half-dozen three-day weekend encampments to a full week encampment. Reference: http://genealogy.about.com/od/wars/a/reenacting.htm

History Romans staged mock battles of previous triumphs Middle Ages – tournaments reenacted historical themes from Rome or elsewhere 19th century – popular in many countries such as Britain Twentieth Century Russia – reenacting previous 19th century battles United States: American Revolutionary War reenactments started in the 1960s often using original weaponry Pageants to commemorate civic events Activities related to "reenactment" have a long history. The Romans staged recreations of famous battles within their amphitheaters as a form of public spectacle. In the Middle Ages, tournaments often reenacted historical themes from Ancient Rome or elsewhere. In the nineteenth century, reenactments were popular in a number of countries, e.g. the Eglinton Tournament of 1839 in Britain. During the early twentieth century they were popular in Russia with re-enactments of the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) (1906), the Battle of Borodino (1812) in St Petersburg and the Taking of Azov (1696) in Voronezh in 1918. In 1920, there was a reenactment of the 1917 Storming of the Winter Palace on the third anniversary of the event. It was this reenactment which provided the inspiration for the scenes in Sergei Eisenstein's film October: Ten Days That Shook the World. Likewise, mass pageants were used to commemorate civic events like 150th anniversary of the founding of St Louis, held in 1914.[

Jargon Living History Historical Reenactment Battle Reenactment Combat Demonstration Rendezvous Authenticity Nazi Farb First person Flat Lander Weekend Warrior Sutler or trader Unit Muster Living history - describes attempts to bring history to life for the general public in a manner that in most cases is not following a planed script. Such events do not necessarily have a mock battle but instead are aimed at portraying the life, and more importantly the lifestyle, of people of the period. This often includes both military, civilian and native impressions. Occasionally, storytelling or acting sketches take place to involve or explain the everyday life or military activity to the viewing public. More common are craft and cooking demonstrations, song and leisure activities, and lectures. Combat training or duels can also be encountered even when larger combat demonstrations are not present.  Historical reenactment is a scripted educational activity in which participants follow a prearranged plan to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period Battle Reenactment - Scripted battles are reenactment in the strictest sense; the battles are planned out beforehand so that the companies and regiments make the same actions that were taken in the original battles. They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar to the original. These demonstrations vary widely in size from a few hundred fighters to several thousand, as do the arenas used (getting the right balance can often make or break the spectacle for the public). Combat demonstration - Combat demonstrations are mock battles put on by reenacting organizations and/or private parties primarily to show the public what combat in the period might have been like. Combat demonstrations are only loosely based on actual battles, if at all, and may simply consist of demonstrations of basic tactics and maneuvering techniques. Farbs or Farby– or polyester soldiers – re-enactors who spend little time or money maintaining authenticity. Not typical of the period Authenticity Nazi – or stitch (thread) counter – these are hard core authentic reenactors usually portraying military unit soldiers. A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. The derogatory term for this same person is “stitch nazi.” Rendezvous – gathering based on the fur trade era. A Pre 1840 Rendezvous, is when mountain men come down to meet with flat landers (city folks) and sold or traded their hides for supplies. Rendezvous began about 1825 and ended in 1840. First-person impression– Approaching the study of the Past from the perspective of someone actually living in it. When talking, references are to "I am" or "I hunt" or "I do this." A "persona." Flat Lander – city folk; anyone not in period clothes (spectator) Weekend Warrior – a reenactor that only attends events every once in a while. Their clothing is clean and not torn. Their shoes and belts are spit shined and polished. There brasses are shined Sutler – a merchant of a particular time period. They usually would follow the military and sell items to the soldiers that were not provided by their military unit. The sutlers can attend all of the different types of reenactment events. Trader – a person who trades their wares. This could be a person selling what they have made, a trapper, or a merchant. http://borderlessnorth.org/videos/meet-the-war-of-1812-sutler-reenactors Unit – group of reenactors who participate together as a unit who fought in a particular war Muster – A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call

Types of Reenactments Military reenactments Native encampment Civilian encampments Trade fair – indoor and outdoor Timeline events Military reenactments portray the life and times of a soldier based on a certain time period. The camp is set up where the opposing forces each have a camp area which is usually as period correct as possible. Battle reenactments are staged some are historical (ex. The Battle of Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Battle of Guilford’s Courthouse, etc) and some just reflect combat tactics showing a mock battle not relating to any historical encounter. Note the inscriptions on the tents of the military reenactors. You will see their regiment and unit information. Part of the event could also include water engagements on tall ships. Native encampment – these portray native american life as it was based on a certain time period. This encampment can be associated with a military reenactment, a trade fair, or a civilian encampment. This encampment is usually in the woods away from the military or civilian camp Civilian encampments: (rendezvous, mountain man, attached with military, fur trade, trade fair, etc). These are encampments where reenactors get together to have shooting contests, tomahawk throws, skillet toss, and other contests. Merchants might set up at these events depending on the size of the encampment. Trade fairs recreate a market days based on a certain time period. This event includes merchants selling their wares and cheap entertainment plus lots of food. Some of the trade fairs also have battle reenactments plus living history displays. Time line events depict military through the ages. Need to name some of the events based on category http://www.living-history.net/LHHistoricalFortsAndSites.htm http://www.thebuckskinners.com/ Go a bit more indepth here – talk about the different military units, the civilians, the buckskinners, mountain man, voyageurs, fur traders, craftsman, artisans, merchants, natives, etc

What it takes to attend a reenactment Determine time period Determine type of person to portray Research reenactment groups Acquire clothing, equipment, tent, camp gear Vehicle/trailer Lots of traveling Money Place to store everything Determine the time period and the type of person you want to portray Civilian (camp follower, artisan, or just camping) versus military (soldier or officer) or native Lower/middle class or upper class Determine how authentic you wish to be Do you buy period correct material to make your clothing? Will someone make the clothing for you? Will it be purchased? Will your camp set up be based on the persona you are portraying? Will you hand stitch your clothing or use a sewing machine? How do you learn to do the correct stitching? Will you buy period glasses and have your prescription inserted? Will you use only period correct food stuffs to cook with? Will you need to purchase a weapon? Accoutrements? Research gun laws Does your persona require animals, equipment, or a wagon? How will you transport? How do you clothe your children? Research the reenactment groups that pursue the time period you want to portray; join the group Money – clothing and equipment costs, travel costs, food costs Acquire clothing and equipment, tent, camp gear Learn how to set up your camp (military, native, and civilian are different) A vehicle/trailer to transport your gear and clothing, animals, equipment, etc Place to store everything when at home Lots of traveling

Starting Points in Reenactment Research Smoke n Fire News - http://www.smoke-fire.com/ National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) - http://www.nmlra.org/ Rendezvous Ohio - http://www.rendezvousohio.com/ Historical Trekking: http://www.historicaltrekking.com/ Smoke n Fire News: http://www.smoke-fire.com/ they are an online store plus they have a newspaper based on many re-enactor time periods (with lots of good unit listings and organizations). Mostly 18th century – 19th century – purchase a newspaper from them to get a starting list of not only events that are in your area but also some of the groups that are associated with a particular time period. National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) – based out of Friendship, IN This group concentrates on black power weapons and the correct way to fire the weapon plus take care of it. It is included here as an additional option. The NMLRA has annual shoots and Pre-1840 encampments at Friendship, IN Rendezvous Ohio - http://www.rendezvousohio.com/ Associated with pre-1840 civilian rendezvous events. There are some good event listings here

Starting Points in Reenactment Research Type Time period Group Military French & Indian War Forces of Montcalm & Wolf French and Indian War 250, Inc American Revolution Brigade of American Revolution Eastern Department Northwest Department North West Territory Alliance British Brigade Continental Line Northern Brigade War of 1812 Old Northwest Military History Association North American British Brigade US Marine Corp of 1812 Napoleonic Napoleonic Association British Brigade Brigade Napoleon World Wide Highland Brigade Civil War Individual unit Main military groups BAR (eastern and Northwest departments) – french, british, american, german, native NWTA – same as BAR British Brigade – some units belong to more than one group Continental Line – some units belong to more than one group F & I groups – french, british, native Civil War War of 1812 Can also include militia, celtic, scottish, pirates Certain units are attached to each group – would need to contact to determine which side to portray Civilians can be camp followers. Civilians, artisans, tradesman, merchants, musicians The civilians can be based on a particular class – low/middle to upper class Can also have timeline events like military through the ages

Starting Points in Reenactment Research Type Time period Group Civilian 18th century 1754–1763 French, British, Scottish, American (trekker, city dweller, frontier) 1775–1783 French, British, Scottish, Irish, German, American (trekker, city dweller, frontier) 19th century 1810-1815 English, Scottish, American, French, Canadian Example: the society of gentleman of the new republic International association of field musicians 1825 – 1840 Rendezvous, fur trade, mountain man 1861–1865 North, South Civilians – city folk, frontiersmen, trekker, musician, tradesman, craftsman, merchant Low/middle class – upper class Might belong to a military association or just attend individual events 18th century 19th century 1810 – 1815 the society of gentleman of the new republic international association of field musicians Rendezvous/fur trade – 1825 – 1840 – known as early american events Civil War – 1861 – 1865 Research civilian clothing of the time period Male female Male or Female

Native Eastern Woodland Indian Native page on historical trekking forum: http://historicaltrekking.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=10 Woodland woman’s page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/401206749932116/? fref=ts

Student Check 1. Select one of the following that is not a reenactment type: A. Military reenactment B. Civilian encampment C. Trade Fair D. Combat Demonstration 2. Select the correct category (History, Attend Event, or Jargon) the statement best fits: A. Need to research reenactment groups B. Tournaments reenacted historical themes from Roman times C. Flat Landers are city folk Answer is D – Combat Demonstration A – Attend Event, B – History, C - Jargon

Student Check True or False. 1. A Authenticity Nazi is a hard core reenactor. 2. A Historical Reenactment is a Living History event 3. A Rendezvous can also include sutlers 4. Combat Demonstrations are scripted battles 5. Flat Lander and Farb refer to the same type of person 1. T, 2. T, 3. T, 4. F, 5. F

Summary Introductions What is Reenacting? History Jargon Types of reenactments What it takes to attend reenactments Starting points in reenactment research

Questions/Comments Ask if there are any questions Thank the students for attending and encourage them to sign-up for other classes.