What is Reenacting
 

What IS reenacting????
"...but I mean what IS reenacting?  How do they figure it all out?" asked a lady from the small group.
"-sigh- OK, this one is going to take me a while to explain, so sit down and relax," I replied.
"Reenacting the War between the States, is just that.  The people dress, talk, and act as if they were in the period of the Civil War.  The food and music are also reminiscent of the time.  Events are usually two days long with merchants, better known as Sutlers, around the camp.  Many visitors also come into the camps to see what life might have been like in the period.
"There are three types of battles. First is the historical.  Second is the tactical, and third is the preplanned battles. The last is authentic.
"The events are usually categorized as either reenactment or living history.
"March's Murfreesboro, or July's Gettysburg are excellent examples of historical reenactments.  The only time it looks odd is when the numbers are not representative of the real battle.  Picture a pickett charge of 60 people on either side... it could prove humorous.
"Tacticals usually run the whole weekend, with contact to the real world severely limited.  This is almost authentic, as Picketts are posted in a constant state of readiness.

Reenacting further defined

To the reenactor, visitor or spectator, and local community a reenactment takes on several separate view points.
To the reenactor, the sight of a well prepared reenactment sight is wondrous!
To see the rendezvouers and the Civil War reenactors setting up their camps, the heart surges with joy and anticipation.  
The atmosphere and ambiance which builds as the camp does, is rich and vibrant.
A few towns provide straw and a meal, either dinner or breakfast, which builds the reenactor's morale.  Those special towns are usually well rewarded for their efforts.  In some of those towns, even a hall is set aside for a ball!
The balls are a very high point, as they provide a diversion from the battlefield.  The full measure of a ball could not be done justice in an article.  To see the men in their full dress uniforms, the women in proper ballroom gowns, then the grace of dance is heartwarming.
The reenactors are some of the most polite people I know.  They answer questions with an almost practiced charm and grace.
The reenactment itself is a truly wondrous thing.  Most times it is choreographed and well planned.  Others, well you just better be prepared! 
The visitors have a unique place in this setting.  They have the luxury of seeing skilled reenactors, and actors, in action.  Although they have the pleasure of watching, sometimes they are "recruited" by the reenactors.  I was told of an incident in which a artillery unit needed a "powder monkey" (Civil War slang meaning the person who brings the artillery powder loads to the canon.) and of a young boy who volunteered.  Not bad though, he was "paid" five C.S. dollars for his time!  To the visitor/spectator this is a opportunity to see antiques and items not normally seen, anywhere.  The visitor can sample foods and drink also not commonly found outside of a reenactment.  There is also the experience of a culture "foreign" to their senses.  To the visitor the difference between the north and south are mostly physical (Uniforms, weapons, etc) until say a conversation with a reenactor or a wagon ride!  No, I will save that for a future issue.  The visitor will have the opportunity to purchase a great variety of wares made by both reenactor and businessperson.  They will also notice that most surrounding communities will have "specials" and other types of memorabilia for them to purchase, and isn't it normal for a visitor to want such a keepsake of such a memorable time?!  All will be able to take advantage of local specialties, or a supply of some good in the form of lower prices than from where they hail from.  Think of how less expensive it would be to buy eggs in the country, cutting the cost of the middle-persons!  While you are there, take advantage of it.  The best part of course is to enjoy the ambience of the reenactment. The local community has probably one of the best outlooks of all, with mayhap one drawback.  For the community there is actual monetary gain that accompanies a reenactment.  To the local entrepreneurs, it is a money making haven.  Not only does it provide a need for the obvious (lodging, restaurants, gift shops, and gas stations) but local attractions benefit, publicity fliers, radio/television/newspaper coverage also follow, along with grocery and convenience stores gaining profit.  The local government (here is the one drawback) also gains from traffic tickets, not to mention (on the most positive side) from taxes gained from sales.  The community spirit also builds as everyone begins to realize the positive outlook for all things considered.  As I said before, some communities provide straw and a meal.  Not only does this boost the morale of the reenactors, but it actually forms dual goodwill (and with that much goodwill, those reenactments look real impressive)  That also means that people will be in better spirits. As any merchant will tell you, when people are up and happy, so is their income and profit margin! So, to sum it up, as a reenactor you have the most to gain.  You will enjoy a healthy past-time, show people some history, meet some new friends, and aid in America's recovery!  

Reenacting. More than a hobby, but how much more? 

Reenactors.

A myriad of people have asked me, "What is a reenactor?" By this point in my life, I must say that what I put down next is well practiced.

A reenactor, is more than an actor. They are more than historians. They are more than people in costume. They are the caretakers, and revivers, of history. They find a period that they enjoy, and for a brief time they relive that time. They are not time traveling, with mayhap the exception of their minds, but recreating that period.

They study the time, its intricate codes, dress, speech, and much more. Some pick particular individuals to portray, while others see themselves back in that time.

It is not "New Age" delving into past life(s) (Although some have argued with me otherwise.) It is an enjoyable past-time. People enjoy the company of each other.

The next question I have heard is, "Who does reenacting?" Again, I must say that this too is well rehearsed.

There is no "Typical" reenactor. They come from all walks of life. I have met Ambassadors who revel in the merriment, aside of construction workers.

They are house wives- husbands, doctors, secretaries, lawyers, nurses, housecleaners, shoe salesmen, military, computer programmers, etc. They are people who enjoy a healthy past-time, and history.

"How do you get involved in reenacting?" is yet another question I hear so often.

The answer is simple. Try it. There is such a great and grand variety of periods to choose from. Pick one to start with.

Go to a reenactment, or encampment, or faire.

See what the other people are doing. See how they dress, and ask questions. You will find a period that you may like.

Then research that time period a little. I'm not telling you to go all out and buy out the bookstore, just pick up a book at the library. Maybe when you were asking questions, a reenactor offered you help. Take them up on it.

There is a group of SCA members in Allentown, who would love to help people get started. As long as you are willing to aid in the production of your costume, and buy the materials necessary, there is no charge for the work.

In building your costume, etc. you will learn much more by spending that time with the members, and asking questions. The next time you are at a reenactment, try out what you have learned. It will take you a few times to get the phrasing correct, or the armor on right, but it is well worth the effort.

Buckskinners have one hard period to play, as they must try to sort out dress, and language. If you will recall, many had to know some French, American Indian, and English to move from territory to territory.

"Is it expensive?"

Each period is unto itself. In cost and your cost in time. Let us look at the Revolutionary period. The costumes are mostly heavy wool. Weapons are a grand expense, as is attaining authentic documents. In the cost of time, this too is great. Language is still Her Majesties English, mixed in with the slang of that period. It also takes some time to sort out the different people who you will interact with. Overall, cost is dependant as to what type of character you wish to portray.

If you wish to be a Civil War Artilleryman, look at several (800) hundred dollars for a museum cannon. Uniforms can also run into some hard earned money. However, when you look at the final cost, it is almost always well worth it.

The joy and fun you attain in reenacting pays for itself ten-fold. You may well enrich someone else's life with your performance. The rewards are endless for the reenactor and their kin. So get on out there and enjoy yourself!