150th Cycle Meeting

[Old Reb]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

message deleted by poster

[PogueMahone]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Anders Hosts 150th Cycle Meeting

WINCHESTER, Va.— Whether you call yourself a mainstream reenactor, a progressive reenactor or an authentic campaigner, it’s time to take ownership of the hobby and make the 150th anniversary Civil War events all you want them to be. So said Chesapeake Volunteer Guard Commander S. Christian Anders and 16 other hobby leaders, representing over a thousand troops from New England to Ohio to North Carolina, at a March 21 “meeting of the minds” in Winchester, Virginia.

Anders — who spearheaded “September Storm,” “At High Tide” and other quality reenactments — is currently working on his next event, “Return to Manassas,” scheduled for August of 2010. Also recognizing the unique opportunity that the upcoming sesquicentennial presents, he put the call out to those interested in planning similar events for that cycle. As Dave Pridgeon, Commander of the Shenandoah Legion, noted, “We’ve got to provide ‘magic moments’ for our guys, and we can’t count on someone else to do it.”

With over 27 years of event organizing experience between the attendees, this collective body has set out to make the 150th Cycle all it can and must be.

Topics discussed at the meeting included: the definition of a meaningful Civil War experience, the size, timing and type of events desired, the specific battles to be portrayed, securing appropriate ground for such events, enforcing standards, and even the civilian and sutler components. In an effort to improve the experience for all reenactors, Anders and company also sought to identify what succeeded and what didn’t in past events, from the administrative department to actual on-site logistics.

A Five-Year Plan was discussed and many possibilities proposed, from “immersion” events to large-scale battle reenactments, at locations from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and out to Kentucky.

In the end, it was agreed that “sweat equity” — including commitment and ownership from the troops — would be crucial to the success of these reenactments. This level of dedication, combined with an alliance grounded in the Common Sense Resolution, is expected to create a winning proposition. (For more information on the latter resolution, visit www.chesapeakevolunteerguard.org.)

The response was overwhelming.

“The fact that so many took the time and expense to come together for the betterment of the hobby speaks volumes about the type of leadership we have,” Anders commented. "This effort will provide a truer Civil War experience for not only the men we represent, but the hobby at large. By taking ownership and keeping the ‘moneychangers’ out of the ‘temple,’ we can focus on providing an experience above all others — for the good of all involved, the boys in the ranks, the attending public and the Original Boys of ’61.”

A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 22, 2009 in Winchester, Virginia. For more information, e-mail 150thcycle@gmail.com.

1) Who attended this meeting? Who do they represent?

2) How/when was this meeting announced? General announcement or invitation only? Who determined who got invited?

3) The format is that of a press release or newspaper/magazine article? Which is it? If published, where?

[nrandolph]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Chris,

Hey! This fits in well with my Seward impression when I'm retired from the active CW miltary. If we could only put together an event where the Union and Confederacy join forces to kick the French out of Mexico......

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[Steve Acker]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Good to see everyone is applauding people who are willing to put effort into the hobby. Thanks to those who met and began this discussion, a discussion that, if we stay positive and not get geographically petty, could provide us with quality experiences.


Message not deleted by poster


Steve Acker

[Old Reb]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Mr. Acker
I deleted my post for they expressed a personal opinion, and had nothing to do with the original post other than being a reaction. If your comments are directed toward me, then I suggest we take this discussion off this public forum, because I am not going to engage you in a meaningless discussion that would lead to further hard feelings between different geographical sections of the hobby. But if you wish to continue, I am more than up to the challenge!

[Steve Acker]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

You'll recieve a PM in some time today because I agree any personal comments are best suited for personal dialogues.


Steve Acker

[dusty27]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Why can't someone who attended post the names of the attendees?????

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Steve! you obviously don’t understand the age old adage in our hobby that (insert my geographic area here) is better than (insert your geographic area here)! This has been a time honored institution in our hobby and some learned scholars may even be bold enough to suggest its roots can be traced back to the Civil War itself! And like so many of our brothers in arms are want to say when arguing why something is done the way it is: “Well, we always done it that way.” Ahhhh, makes this sound like a reenactorism to me.

Anyway, I’m with you, Steve. I applaud anyone who takes the bull by the horns and begins the process.

Some may question their motives, or may even question why their own name wasn’t among the who’s who list of invitees/attendees. Leaders will make things happen. The others will play catch up or simply desire to become a thorn in the side of those who spent the time and energy to produce something they feel is for the good of the hobby.

So, my question to everyone out their in Campaigner land is - Do you want to follow and work with a leader, or would you rather just be told what to attend?

[Mcouioui]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

To change subject... ;)
French Mess thinks go à Gettysburg le 150th. But in federal :), to see the charge in face :)

[dusty27]

Can you help the slow people?

Chris,

With an event of "several thousand with spectators", I have some questions for you. I'm not trying to be pissy, just want to know your thought process.

1) How much land would be needed to do such an event?

2) What would be the funding source for these events?

3) Why are some groups included and excluded?

4) Is this group an extension of the past "Reenactor's Liasion Committee" (I think that was the name of it).

5) I know you and Dave are working on this, but who else?

Thanks

[BrandonEnglish]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Um, hate to play devil's advocate in this matter, but if you don't want to go to an event no matter where the location you have the option of, well not going. Pretty simple really.

I applaud the efforts of Mr. Anders and those not yet named. I can't wait.

[PogueMahone]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Pat,

What is the difference between following a leader and being told what to do?

My questions are to help me determine how this meeting impacts me. Is this primarily a mainstream effort or more progressive? Are people I respect and enjoy working with involved or not?

The hobby is no longer regional. Participants travel from all parts of the nation and overseas to attend good events. Events planned by this group of unknowns will impact everyone. I'd like to know how.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Leaders will make things happen. The others will ... simply desire to become a thorn in the side of those who spent the time and energy to produce something they feel is for the good of the hobby.

Well put, Pat.

Mod hat on:
To those in the latter group, please refrain from posting on this thread. Mods are ready to edit, prune, delete, and lock.

[Mcouioui]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Pat,

What is the difference between following a leader and being told what to do?

My questions are to help me determine how this meeting impacts me. Is this primarily a mainstream effort or more progressive? Are people I respect and enjoy working with involved or not?

The hobby is no longer regional. Participants travel from all parts of the nation and overseas to attend good events. Events planned by this group of unknowns will impact everyone. I'd like to know how.

There I am going to answer, I feel concerned...
The events mainstream, it is good, one to us, Gettysburg, set apart (question of symbol) no one will make me cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The progressive events, we also have, but what we lack it is the number, for example our event progressive are going to group together 50 persons maximum instead of 300 or 400 of the BGR or IPW and without horses, wagons, beefs, the USA, etc.
We are 300 or 400 persons in Europe, but in a mainstream event, you understand our misfortune?! :)
I chose, that to go forward and farther, but it is my choice, I him see fit, but without imposing it to the others.
We have a proverb here " it is better the quality, that the quantity " ;)

[jake.koch]

Re: 150th Cycle Meeting

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but this was a preliminary meeting. All that these people were doing is getting together in order to discuss what will perhaps be the biggest anniversaries in this hobby in our lifetimes.

Everything has to start somewhere. I think that these people are making a start. It sounded to me from reading the first post that nothing was set in stone.

There are many groups that plan events. This is just one set. I as well am hopeful that they pay some attention to the theater in which the war was actually won:tounge_sm! However I am glad that people are getting together to plan a string of events for the 150th.

I have absolutely no experience in planning something of the scale of what they seem to be talking about, but if it bothers people that one region is seemingly left out. Why does someone not propose a "meeting of the minds" of those that like to plan events for a near future date in order to plan for the 150th?

I would have no problem, and would be excited for the chance to go east for some authentic events and go west as well. The beauty of this hobby is that it gives us a chance to do diverse impressions and have equally diverse experiences. This four and a half year period should not be a reson for us to argue over, it should be like a huge nicotine hit or caffeine rush for people in this hobbyand one of the biggest chances for growth of this community in a long time.

I don't know how one launches such a thing, I don't know if my opinion would matter, but I would love to see the authentic community come together and map out corresponding events with different impressions for the 150. Like an earlier post said, the time to begin planning was yesterday.

Why doesn't somebody pick a location and simply say that members of the authentic community should meet here on this date to discuss plans for the 150. Mr. Anders could show what he is planning, and others could show what they are planning, and together everyone could work out a schedule of events. The results of the meeting could then be shown for everyone to see on this forum or a special website dedicated to the 150th with updates to the events.

If we don't celebrate the 150 in a big way, or let this anniversary somehow pass us bye, it may be the biggest mistake that anyone involved with this hobby has ever let happen. I am personally really looking forward to this anniversary and all that it has to offer for the hobby, and Civil War History in this country in general.

I did not mean to cause offense to anybody, I think I understand everyone's earlier comments. I would just like to see us all come together for this golden oppurtunity.