Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

[MissAnnaMae]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I was there as well, albeit dressed in "funny clothes," as Beth Crabb said. :-) This was my first time visiting during their CW Days and, too, wondered at what a wonderful event it would be if "we" could have full run of the property and impressions. Still, it was nice to see the Crabb's and enjoy some kettle corn for a change while logging some miles on the ole' pedometer.

[markmason]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I was at CP, went reb and well it is mainstream to the extreme. How sad the union army looks these days old men and young boys. It was a match up of the Independent Guard CS vs. ad hoc Union troops. The rebs outnumbered the feds with a 2-1 margin, sad. Nice village and historic setting and yeah allot of potential to educate IN on the the civil war but the hokiest battle I ever thought of participating in.

To all: Yes it is a different type of event right now. It is not Outpost, Chickamauga, Paynes Farm, etc..has potential to be much more. Where can you go to a event with a town and building structures predating the Civil War? The wheel is turning and the park is very open to improvements. It is just a matter of finding the right people and fitting them into the grand scheme of things to make this event something truely top notch with authenticity and attendence. look at the progress that has been made since this event started 10 years ago. Letting us inside the village was not thought of.....today, with a new board in place it is reality. Conner Prairie is the 2d most visited village in the country under Colonial Willamsburg.

The buildings were open for us to use. To short of notice to make this happen. some stepped in to try and save this event that almost wasn't this year.

Planning begins today for 09' ...plan to join us.

[crabby]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

After the event was over, Mark Mason and I did talk to them about having some civilian interaction in the town, using quality civilians. They were jazzed, It is going to be brought up at the event wrap-up meeting.

Mainstream - yes, "interesting" impressions - yes. We did have a good time, none the less. Enjoyed spending time with Mark, Brian, Micah, Matt and Jordan. Rebecca and the little one were good neighbors to have. Talked to quite a few others from the AC.

Crabby

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

To all: Yes it is a different type of event right now. It is not Outpost, Chickamauga, Paynes Farm, etc..has potential to be much more. Where can you go to a event with a town and building structures predating the Civil War? The wheel is turning and the park is very open to improvements. It is just a matter of finding the right people and fitting them into the grand scheme of things to make this event something truely top notch with authenticity and attendence. look at the progress that has been made since this event started 10 years ago. Letting us inside the village was not thought of.....today, with a new board in place it is reality. Conner Prairie is the 2d most visited village in the country under Colonial Willamsburg.

Planning begins today for 09' ...plan to join us.

Mark,

I agree that the event has taken great strides in the last few years. I last attended that event in 2006, and stopped by briefly in 2004 or 5 (can't recall which). I remember not being allowed in the gate initially, so being placed within the villlage is a big deal.

Despite the downsides of this years event, I think the event has lots of potential and the new leadership seems very willing to work with the hobby. To make that effort pay off, I think there would need to be a concerted effort by this end of the hobby. In a nut, the authentics would need to establish a sizeable presence and, in doing so, augment the program there in a way that is both valued by and visible to the park staff.

[Suppelsa]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I would echo Tom's comments. However, it wasn't the worst battle I've ever seen (cough- Mooresville -cough), but it was up there.

A couple things I found interesting:
The site is trying to grow the event, so stated rules were not enforced. There was a general statement about cut, etc. of uniforms being in a period fashion, but judging by what I saw on the field, there were no real standards. Impressions on the CS side ranged from top-of-the-line to the crust at the bottom of the barrel.

Despite this, attendance from the public looked to be huge and they all looked pretty pleased. So, not sure if the site would be motivated to make changes that would result in fewer reenactor attendees. In order to coerce them to making a change, I think there would probably need to be a Max Effort authentic event there, with attendance on the order of decent sized battalion on each side.

One of my biggest pet peeves at events these days is alcohol consumption. I don't see it at better events. However, it seems unavoidable at anything approaching a mainstream event. It makes it hard to set a good example for younger guys (teens+)getting into the hobby.

This really is a great site. The field the battle is fought on is probably close to a half square mile. All the roads are dirt, and it was very neat to sleep on the bridge.

Agree with the alcohol issue. Thats why I grabbed 2 cases of non alcoholic stuff.

[Micah Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

There is a lot of potential at CP and it is good to see them taking baby steps in the right direction. I agree with Wickett that there needs to be improvement made by both sides.
Having access inside the village was awesome. Something you don't get to experience that often if ever. In fact, the entire grounds was unbelievable.

[Hoosier Yank]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

There is a lot of potential at CP and it is good to see them taking baby steps in the right direction.

Then why is CP having the Ren-Freaks out instead of us putting on a quality event that WE offered to support and organize?

Even last year for the Morgan's Raid weekend, CP fiddle farted around to the very last minute. So far I haven't been too impressed and not sure just how commited they are to having a true quality CW event.


CP is akin to a local "progressive unit" .... a lot of damn talk nuthin' else! :baring_te

[Micah Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Bill, I know how you feel, however, having CP meeting our standards isn't something that can or will happen over night. However, after hearing Mason and Crabby mention that CP did hear them out after the event and were very interested, we got a foot in the door again.
With the old managment out and a new one in, now is a good time to act.
If it doesn't work out, so be it. Their loss. If it does though, hmmm....

[Rear Rank 2]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I see over and over if we ran it, well when somebody took their ball and went home I did not see any of you step up. And Justin I don’t recall anyone asking you to save anything. Ron Wilkins had a little over a month to try to pull something together. With that type of time constraint lets see some of the gripers do better.

[blackhattertuck]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Although,

Justin did make that comment in Feb.

[Hoosier Yank]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I see over and over if we ran it, well when somebody took their ball and went home I did not see any of you step up. And Justin I don’t recall anyone asking you to save anything. Ron Wilkins had a little over a month to try to pull something together. With that type of time constraint lets see some of the gripers do better.

Once again, you've engaged your mouth into overdrive without thinking and/or reading this thread.

This discussion wasn’t even about the CP mainstream event three weeks ago but about the cancelled Camp Morton event. You need to worry about your own house right now, not ours.

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Andy, I dont recall you sitting with me and the CP management. But to be fair, the words "Come save our event" never came out of our mouth. It was more like Come and help us pull this one out of the same general malaise that usually occurs at most of our Indiana events, come and help us raise the standards and put on a quality program for the public. I suppose in paraphrasing I mis-spoke myself, but does this clarification really change the argument any?

Apologies all 'round.

[blackhattertuck]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

To clarify my statement,

I was making the point that Justin's comment in Feburary, was not referring to the Mainstreamer event that Ron Wilkins helped put together, but rather to the proposed campaigner event the GHTI was working on with the Connor Prarie staff. I'm sure Ron did excellent work in saving the Mainstream event from the effects of one man's damaged ego; however, I must state that I gained greater understanding of the life of a CW soldier at Pickett's Mill last weekend, than I did from 5 years of Connor Praries, Billy Creeks, Hartford Cities, etc...

Hopefully I'm clear now :wink_smil

[PvtRJBrown]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Just putting in my 2 cents worth, but Damn!!!! I go off to N.Y.C. for college the following week after the weekend Camp Morton was scheduled for! Would have been th perfect time to go to a quality event, seeing as I've been to the event before and I live in Chicago so its not that far away. I agree with most here, if the event can possibly be salvaged, awesome. If it cannot, well thats how the ball rolls is it not?