1. Introduction to Reenacting

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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:

6. 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 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.[

7. 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.
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

8. 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
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

9. 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

10. Starting Points in Reenactment Research
Smoke n Fire News -
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) -
Rendezvous Ohio -
Historical Trekking:
Smoke n Fire News: 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 -
Associated with pre-1840 civilian rendezvous events. There are some good event listings here

11. 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

12. 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
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

13. Native Eastern Woodland Indian
Native page on historical trekking forum:
Woodland woman’s page on Facebook: fref=ts

14. 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

15. 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

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

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