Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

[PogueMahone]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Well, after having sent John a PM about this thread, I'm going to take it a little off topic ...

As I read John's original post, the question is "how do we improve the public perception of the hobby of Civil War reenacting?" The discussion morphed within the same post into "how do we better interpret the Civil War for the public?" Those are two different discussions.

I can't think of another hobby where one of the standing goals is to educate the public about the topic being portrayed by hobbyists. Hobby golfers or bowlers don't go on national TV and try to teach better skills. People that like to ski don't put on public exhibitions with scheduled tours or rows of portajohns and funnelcake stands. Stamp collectors don't stand up before crowds and give semi-detailed explanations of how a stamp works. Yet, there we are, putting on public displays, tours, demonstrations, lectures, etc., etc., etc.

It is rare that we ever take a moment to explain the hobby to people. People only know us through the mass media (except for our closest friends and relatives who sometimes still don't understand it all ...). We have allowed Hollywood to portray us as geeks, nerds, racists, those yearning to live in the past, mentally-, socially- and emotionally-challenged. The answer, I think, to improving the image of this hobby is to simply take a moment at the end of any demonstration to explain that we are "reenactors", we don't get paid to perform, we don't have dress rehearsal, we are history geeks, but we aren't social geeks. Our ranks are filled with professionals, students and common men, all of whom share a common interest that places us on a level playing field. Explain that we see ourselves differently from the people that portray fantasy characters or superheroes and that our portrayals are not an extension of our modern political or religious beliefs. And, if you haven't lost them yet, explain that some reenactors are not as historically accurate as others and that you hope the spectators can tell the difference. This might encourage them to ask questions about the hobby as well as the history. We shouldn't shy away from this. It could lead to growth in the hobby and that seems to be a concern for many who lament the impending death of the hobby as numbers shrink.

It is entirely possible I may be wrong, however ...

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

I've found people interested in the most unlikely things. At some point during every living history I end up talking about the massive amount of paperwork it took to keep a million men in the field in the age before computers, xerox machines, and even typewriters. A few forms go a long way -- especially where I live, where many spectators are military or civilian government employees anyway.

Beyond that, a half dozen of the most common forms -- morning report, ration return, clothing receipt roll, casualty return, &c. -- automatically lead to discussions of several aspects of the soldier's life that people find interesting.

The forts around here are great, too -- you can stand in a bastion and describe how all the apartments and homes were once fields, and Georgetown and Washington were two separate cities, and Constitution Avenue was an open sewer called the Tiber, and the like.

A couple of months ago I had the honor of attending a living history at Walter Reed and got to tell a few of the men there that it was a battleground, a place where an unlikely combination of disabled veterans and Ohio national guardsmen saved the capital. That resonated.

The hard part for me is the initial contact -- stepping up to strangers whose level of interest and knowledge is at first unknown. Props help, like having passes to write out for them or something for show and tell, like a period mechanical pencil/pen combo.

I also really like Pogue's suggestion that we explain what we do and why. Unfortunately for me this usually starts with an explanation of why I and many of my comrades are a lot older than the typical civil war soldier -- but then this leads to a discussion of who they were and why they joined (people also seem interested in the pay and benefits), as well as who we are and why we bother.

Hank makes a good point too about the limitations of many living history experiences. The parks locally, including the forts, don't generally support an immersive experience, or much of anything beyond a one day drive-by. But I remember a couple of living histories at Manassas a few years back, one with the 69th NY and one with the CRs, that presented the unlikely combination of a fairly authentic setting with heavy spectator traffic.

In general, I wholeheartedly agree with taking responsibility for our own image.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Schnapps, it is always the paperwork with you. Must be something in the air there in Washington, DC. Dug out of the snow yet?

As far as explaining the hobby to the public, that is something I never feel compelled to do since we are supposed to be in character during a living history demo...But if I were going to explain it, I suppose I would sketch a Venn diagram in the dirt with a stick, consisting of three circles. The first circle would be the set representing all US Civil War history nuts, the middle one all black powder nuts and the third would be all outdoors enthusiasts. Where the circles overlap is the Civil War (re)enactment hobby.

Most of the questions we get at STRI revolve around what happened at the battlefield and the aftermath, which are easy enough for the volunteers there to answer. Some of the summer interns and volunteers like to jaw about rates of fire and muzzle velocity, freely sharing their lack of knowledge, usually about artillery. I try to stay out of those discussions, paraphrasing Clarence Darrow "How can I hope to know that which ignorant men are sure of?" If somebody has a really tough question I send them to Todd Watts for an explanation. He actually had an ancestor stomping around there during the war, and they will likely be worn out by the time he finishes. Worse still, I hazard to think what kind of history lesson people might be getting at a mainstream (re)enactment held in some cow pasture, given the way mis-information is so freely shared over the Internet and the general lack of understanding today. Who made it a standing goal of the hobby to educate the public? Don't we have books available for that purpose? Historical interpretation and "educating the public"...these are two different things. The public will have better takeaways from good historical interpretation than an educational spiel about whose troops were where.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

I know, I know, Craig. It's a sickness, really.

But paperwork also seems to provide a lot of people with an unexpected bridge to the past. Not everyone has the experience of firing a musket or marching around in wool -- that part just seems alien to most folks.

But most people have to fill out tax forms, apply in writing for jobs, and manage a check book, and quite a few around here have to write up reports and account for stuff. So if you show them a morning report or a ration return it reminds them of a spreadsheet, which it is. And then the column headings cause a few smiles, which often leads to questions like why is there a column for "women" on the ration return, or why does the soldier have to sign his name on the receipt roll?

And then suddenly I'm answering all sorts of questions about all aspects of a subject that I'm really interested in and I get to be like some kind of expert instead of a bore. Well, more often than not. Sometimes, anyway.

Even reenactors who hate paperwork (I'm not actually that fond of doing it) can find something to play with there. A couple Saturdays ago at Fredericksburg I had copies of the new General Order on clothing prices (dated just a few days before the battle), which we could compare to the old one. One or two items actually got cheaper, but the cost of drawers really shot up -- you don't have to be a paperwork geek to think up some first person reactions to that one.

And why do I feel responsible for educating the public? Because although I very much enjoy playing soldier, I would feel guilty and silly wearing the uniform that so many died in if I didn't try to explain who they were and what they were about to the bystanders. But that's a personal decision. I don't think everyone needs to feel that way.

Sorry to go on...

[webbguard]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

If I may chime in here. I have done interpritation for the NPS and the Carter House and one of the best reactions and interactions I have had was at the last event I attended at Rivers Bridge. A young man was asking us questions and I had taken a sweet potato out of the fire. The next question was what was that, I told him and explained that was breakfast and then asked him if he wanted any. It didn't look very appealing so his answer was no. Sometimes the little things go farther than a long presentation. If we make ourselves approachable and not just another display we can get great questions as well as "is that a real cemetary?"
My two cents
Steven Whaley

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Yep, or "Did the soldiers take cover behind those monuments?"...Great point on the campfire cuisine. Sweet potato for breakfast...I am salivating like Pavlov's Dog. That is much better than watching the coffee burn while Landrum turns salt pork into carbon.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Joe,

Thank you for your post! You made several points which deserved to be discussed, but I'll just zero in on a couple with some random thoughts, then I'm going to go watch a movie wit my wife. :D

As I read John's original post, the question is "how do we improve the public perception of the hobby of Civil War reenacting?" The discussion morphed within the same post into "how do we better interpret the Civil War for the public?" Those are two different discussions.

Yep, you're right. Different discussions, maybe related, maybe not.

Do we give a rat's @$$ about public perception of the hobby? Idunno. Based on our reaction to being portrayed in media as bafoons and worse, I think there are a number of us who do care. Should we? I dunno. That's a whole other discussion (maybe best had with our own psychotherapists).

The two topics are only related insofar as the quality of our interpretation is really our only opportunity to interact with the general public and perhaps have some miniscule impact on their perception of us. That's probably my only point in relating the two to each other.

I can't think of another hobby where one of the standing goals is to educate the public about the topic being portrayed by hobbyists.

Joe, a couple of folks in this thread would debate that with you. They stated that they could give a rat's patoot about teaching anyone anything, other than their pards and themselves. I can understand that point of view on an individual level. As Lee said, not everyone is cut out to have discussions or develop/lead presentations to the public. And, I think that's the point. As individuals, we may not need to be "teaching the public" anything. However, collectively, isn't that a worthwhile goal? Whether we are contributing to the body of knowledge about the soldiers who fought that war through research (perhaps inspired by an experience in the field), doing interpretive projects for the public, or just participating in someone elses event (while stearing clear of the huddled masses, yearning to breath black powder smoke and ask if you're hot in those clothes), aren't we as a collective group charged with a task of increasing knowledge, informing the public, and generally spurring interest in this time period?

Again, I wish I had answers. However, I think right now is a good time to debate good questions. Thanks again, Joe, for your post. I think your points are very much in-line with this thread and raise some good issues for discussion.

Thanks, folks!

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Folks,

There is one part of this discussion that is been left out completely. How do you educate someone who does not come to your events to be educated? Individuals such as that make up the vast majority of the audience you are directing your presentation to, they are there to be entertained or to have an excuse to get out of the house. All the lofty ideals of educating the public go out the window when you look at this from the view point of those in the audience.

How much of the "education" you give them is retained long enough for them to get from the site of presentation to the parking lot? Usually at that point their thought process has turned from history to deciding to go to DQ or McDonald's.

My post may be a wet blanket on this discussion but after some 30 odd years in this hobby my experience has been that the public is not there for an education, they are there to be entertained.

Education can be done thru entertainment. The idea of having a scripted vignette where the reenactors stay in first person and a docent interprets what the public is seeing and answers any questions they may have is a great way to do this. It may be limited in the scope of knowledge or facts, but can still be very educational if your primary goal is to entertain.

Jim Butler

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

I know, I know, Craig. It's a sickness, really.

But paperwork also seems to provide a lot of people with an unexpected bridge to the past. Not everyone has the experience of firing a musket or marching around in wool -- that part just seems alien to most folks.

But most people have to fill out tax forms, apply in writing for jobs, and manage a check book, and quite a few around here have to write up reports and account for stuff. So if you show them a morning report or a ration return it reminds them of a spreadsheet, which it is. And then the column headings cause a few smiles, which often leads to questions like why is there a column for "women" on the ration return, or why does the soldier have to sign his name on the receipt roll?

And then suddenly I'm answering all sorts of questions about all aspects of a subject that I'm really interested in and I get to be like some kind of expert instead of a bore. Well, more often than not. Sometimes, anyway.

Even reenactors who hate paperwork (I'm not actually that fond of doing it) can find something to play with there. A couple Saturdays ago at Fredericksburg I had copies of the new General Order on clothing prices (dated just a few days before the battle), which we could compare to the old one. One or two items actually got cheaper, but the cost of drawers really shot up -- you don't have to be a paperwork geek to think up some first person reactions to that one.

And why do I feel responsible for educating the public? Because although I very much enjoy playing soldier, I would feel guilty and silly wearing the uniform that so many died in if I didn't try to explain who they were and what they were about to the bystanders. But that's a personal decision. I don't think everyone needs to feel that way.

Sorry to go on...

Although not all encompassing, Michael does bring out a new aspect that may not have been interpeted to the public much. My point is that we should reserach and bring new and innovative demonstrations to the public. At the Shilih LH we had several times done a period correct pay call. After the reenactor received their pay, we would have the spectators line up and sign the Pay Muster. It is amazing how something as simple as signing your name with a nib and ink (something that most people and kids have never done) and receiving a reproduction bill is so fascinating and enjoyable to the public and especially the kids. The parents are happy because they see their kids light up. If this demo sparks just one kid in a thousand to be interested in history as we are, I feel it was a success.

Jim Butler

[Hank Trent]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Hank makes a good point too about the limitations of many living history experiences. The parks locally, including the forts, don't generally support an immersive experience, or much of anything beyond a one day drive-by. But I remember a couple of living histories at Manassas a few years back, one with the 69th NY and one with the CRs, that presented the unlikely combination of a fairly authentic setting with heavy spectator traffic.

Just to clarify, I don't think it's the fault of the setting, 99% of the time. I think it's the fault (or choice) of the reenactors; it's what they want to do. Yes, there are some settings where it's just about impossible, but even then, one can look for and sometimes find something better. I've even done that, and been told that yes, we knew it was available, and no, we don't care to go there.

I went to a public living history this summer, set in the middle of a modern campground--hookups, kids on bicycles, the whole nine yards. We were separated only by a bit of field and a few trees from the closest modern campers. At night, when it got dark and quiet and the campers stayed away and you couldn't see them anymore except as lights in the distance, half the reenactors blew off the living history thing, the other half (the half I was with) didn't. It was a good example of what I'd enjoy. I got a whole weekend of reenacting out of it, same as at a non-spectator event.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Union Navy]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

I know, I know, But paperwork also seems to provide a lot of people with an unexpected bridge to the past. Not everyone has the experience of firing a musket or marching around in wool -- that part just seems alien to most folks.

But most people have to fill out tax forms, apply in writing for jobs, and manage a check book, and quite a few around here have to write up reports and account for stuff. So if you show them a morning report or a ration return it reminds them of a spreadsheet, which it is. And then the column headings cause a few smiles, which often leads to questions like why is there a column for "women" on the ration return, or why does the soldier have to sign his name on the receipt roll?

And then suddenly I'm answering all sorts of questions about all aspects of a subject that I'm really interested in and I get to be like some kind of expert instead of a bore. Well, more often than not. Sometimes, anyway.

A great example of relating to the experience of the visitor. This gets them thinking because it is drawn directly from their experience - they have a common starting point from which they can move into new territory. Same goes for eating...they all do it, and they all know what they like, and most have had some experience with cooking.

[bugler1824]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Great topic!

We are exploring different ideas here in my region to retain visitors and get new ones. Living History is running into the problems of many other items, we are doing the same things over and over. How can we change things up. For the participant we can change up the date of the event, the activities etc and we have a good time, but for the public they see no change.
So how can we attract people? – most sites attendance is dropping & I don’t think we can keep pushing this off on the economy – that’s not the only issue at hand.

I have had experiences with 1st person, 3rd person etc. I find that 1st person is usually not very visitor friendly and is very difficult to do for most people. Everyone thinks they have to take on some type of strange voice and act like they are Irish etc. It is possible to do 1st person without this and in some cases can be used. We find that 3rd person works best. You can talk about history, or you can talk about your daily job and relate the program to today etc. Most of my programs deal with Field Music and I relate field music to the bell system at school, or the teachers whistle, or a cell phone. The basis of Field Music is communication and kids today use communication through signals just as field music works. If the student can relate items of today with items of the 19th century they can understand the item being explained. You can also use the fife, drum and bugle as an Ipod – as the field music can keep your spirits up on the march, just as your Ipod does when you take a jog.

Not everyone has to be the interpreter either. We have done programs where the group is performing an activity and one or two interpreters tells about the drill, demo etc. This works very well. We have also done “programs on the hour” the programs explain different parts of the army, like the sutler, field music, artillery, infantry etc. This is usually the type of 7min demo we would do for an education day. Most events have great education for the school kids, then on Saturday we just think education is out the window! This type of program has also worked well.

Just some thoughts on the subject.


Cody Jolliff
Fort Gibson Historic Site

https://www.okhistory.org

https://www.facebook.com/fortgibson

[csuniforms]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC-Big Events

When I started "REENACTING", 35 years ago, we had no "LIVING HISTORIANS" or "AUTHENTIC S" or "IMMERSION EVENTS". The closest thing was the Fort Snelling weekend in St. Paul, where we did garrison duty, drew rations, and learned skirmishing by the sound of the bugler. The public was there on the grounds but stood off in the corner of the fort just watching. I do remember the day we marched out of the Fort down to the River to do some drill. The folks were fishing or just enjoying a day in the park and suddenly a 100 man company of Federal soldiers comes marching down the hill towards them. A few took off in the other direction, a couple dropped their poles with a look of consternation on their faces, and the rest raced to get close and watch and wanted to know what the heck was going on?

My perception is that the public today in 2009, loves those reenactments with the big numbers of artillery, cavalry, and infantry. The question heard over and over is, "when does the battle start?" or "where's the battle?" When the battle is over they run to the sutlers, get a hot dog or root beer, buy junior a toy gun, look at the Civil War stuff like shoes, accoutrements and uniforms for sale, have no idea what they are looking at, walk over to the camps to see the "soldiers". Have some conversations about history, pack up the gang and go home. Many say will be back next year to see, "the Battle" again.

The Battle--It can called Shiloh, Gettysburg, or Fishing Creek, but to the public, (they do know Pickett's charge) it is in general just another Civil War Battle with Cavalry swirling around, cannons going off, infantry firing volleys, the charge! and the retreat--

Today we have immersion events, authentics, and authentic living historians, and the researchers like myself who study the uniforms, weapons, and history of the Civil War.

I ask the question how many of you believe the public in general, actually knows the difference between an "authentically dressed" Civil War soldier, someone who took years and $1,000's of dollars to create an impression, do the drill, do the research, and someone who bought a uniform off the rack from Joe Sutler. Unless your another Civil War historian, authentic, or a Civil War collector, chances are, you do not know!

So what is my point?-- with next 150 year event coming up soon this will be the last chance for many of us in this lifetime to get the Civil War message out to the Public and explain what, "authenticity in equipments, uniforms, and campaign living" was and is in 1861 and 2011.

We must be a "Band of Brothers" who both teach and present in innovative ways to the Public what the Civil War was about and why we do what we do. I, Tom Arliskas believe, we do it because we enjoy it, it is a social event with our peers, it gives us a reason to look forward to vacations and weekends, to find we make lifetime friends, we evolve, we have and addiction to learning, and to research and read because of a real interest in the subject and there is so much to learn!, and to try and make the public understand when asked, what transpired in those four years of bloody war and who and what made up the Civil War fighting man.

The Public in general wants to know too! IT is up to US to carry the flag of history and knowledge for 2011.-- Well researched history---

I suggest forming a 300 or more Authentic Regiment to march in parades, special events, etc. For people to see-- It was almost done at President Reagans inaugural but due to the Cold Weather canceled. We had 500 plus soldiers ready to march! IT would have been beautiful!

I suggest putting together a Seminar with speakers on various subjects like uniforms, firearms, cannons, and reenacting, like they sponsor for the Round Tables.

I suggest those individuals who are in authentic companies come up with a program to engage the public. Have scenarios. People will say they already do, but add to it-- be innovative. We have to recreate the Civil War!!



CSuniforms

Tom Arliskas

[PogueMahone]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Tom,

I would have to respectfully disagree. Too many times I've had spectators ask "Why do you guys look so different from those guys?" as they point out the farbs. Spectators can tell the difference, they just don't know what the difference is. And that is when I talk to them about the hobby and the different ways and levels of participation. They get it and nod their heads in agreement. So I do think the general public can tell the difference.

When I started reenacting 33 years ago, the first thing I can recall being told was "These guys are hardcore authentics and those guys are farbs. Stay away from the farbs." In the 1970's, I attended "invitation only" non-spectator events at Oxford, Ms, and Mill Springs, KY. We didn't call them "immersion", but they operated on the same concepts.

Frankly, we can barely get 300 authentic guys to an event, how do you think you can get them to participate in parades in those numbers?

[csuniforms]

Re: Innovative Interpretation for the PUBLIC

Hello, We have to think out of the box today. If we cant get 300, then 200. I am to old to portray a Civil War soldier, but I can help with the organization, the logistics, the seminars.--

Yes, Some folks know the difference or sense a difference in appearance, but are not quite sure what they see. Yes, you stop to explain and they thank you-- but not everyone stops to ask or does not know what questions to ask. To them it is all Civil War.

My group and myself used to set up at every gun show, Civil War show, or local historical society for years.--- I am positive we gave as good a presentation as we had props and literature, but like higher education, we have start all over again with the freshmen, and it goes on and on.--

I did say also we do it for ourselves and part of it sometimes includes a public venue. The whole idea is to have fun, and if the public dont get it-- well to bad for them.

I would repeat with the 150th coming up there will be more going on or at least I hope so, and we all should retool for these coming years.

What do you want to see? More immersions, more public venues, more research symposiums or a combination of both? Has anyone seen the Cavalry Troop out of Fort Riley Kansas? They were fantastic!! Iraq Vets riding horses and doing saber drills and trick riding right out of the old CW manuals. They will be part of this 150th Celebration so I am looking forward to some great activities and stuff to do.

CSuniforms

Tom Arliskas