150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

[btfire]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Perhaps we could begin here with folders for each year, 2011-15. Let everyone start with their event ideas for each year. One magic thing about this all is the schedule is set for us by those who made the history. As a mess, the TBM plans only to attend events based on the schedule of Evan's Brigade. We would gladly attend quality events to support anyone with a goal of authenticity even if they do not always follow our planned schedule.
But, back to this annual folder. First, we must drop the mass of events that are advertised (carpe and adjunct) now and single out the good events. Second, allowing the AC membership to request events and then the great people who put them together actually getting them rolling. Third, by 2010, instead of a lot of small C/P/H er events, we have a schedule of quality events (or the occasional national event) where we are sending such a huge contingent that we cannot be ignored.
2011-15, only a few large events a year (tier 1 and 2 only). Membership voting on which events will make the list. Large attendance to turn the event over to our mass agenda. And isn't the AC agenda accurate portrayals of the American Civil War?

How many members are on this forum? 5000. I am sure we can muster at least 1/5 to a single event and make the event happen, for the 150th at least.

[Charles Heath]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Brian,

Excellent post. One of the most divisive, if not the most divisive issues the hobby has is whether to have smaller events of high quality or larger events where numbers reign supreme. I'm fairly certain a fairy isn't going to show up with a wave of a magic wand to solve that problem in an instant. Even assembling a schedule with a wide variety of events is a complex matrix.

Perhaps we could begin here with folders for each year, 2011-15. Let everyone start with their event ideas for each year. One magic thing about this all is the schedule is set for us by those who made the history.

As a fellow who has dabbled in this realm a time or two, a better starting point would be the 2010 "Rump Year." The fifth year in the cycle typically ends in April, and generally does not start again until July of the next cycle, which is 2011. Introducting 1860 into the scheme of things would add a lot of potential, as evidenced by the folks in Kansas and Missouri enjoying mid-to-late 1850s events. Kudos to Bloody Kansas for recognizing 1855 as the starting point in their own programs. Come to think of it, the 1859 and 1860 events tend to get lost in the sauce, too. (Yes, Hank, and a dang fine 1857 event.)

First, we must drop the mass of events that are advertised (carpe and adjunct) now and single out the good events.

That was my own kneejerk reaction to seeing the "Anything Goes" subforum, but the calm that has been enjoyed since that sump was created has been just flat out wonderful. The Type II folder is also useful, but for other reasons. Just this week a fellow sent me a flat out mainstream as can be event claiming it was much better than it is going to be. Why I'm still receiving event blurbs, I'll never know, but it wouldn't be the first oversold and undelivered mainstream event that has been in the mix.

How many members are on this forum? 5000. I am sure we can muster at least 1/5 to a single event and make the event happen, for the 150th at least.

Using registrations, and not actual attendance for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons, as fairly unscientific sample, the "Who Is Us?" list proved to even the most dim bulb in the box that the number of active Campaigner, Progressive, and Hardcore hobby participants is less than 400. With the rising price of fuel, inflation in other areas chiefly due to rising transportation costs, and a sagging economy, that number will likely take a 25% to 33% hit this season. The really difficult question is estimating how long it will take for this end of the hobby to recover.

Then, do we vote for Lincoln, Bell, Douglas, or Breckenridge? :wink_smil

[btfire]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Well, I know there are quality events pre-war, and the Tramp Brigade Mess is kicking off a series of Charleston events for 1858 (2008), 1859 (2009) and 1860. Many, here, already work out carpooling for events. I know I never would have made Outpost without that, and upcoming Picketts Mill also. As far as gas goes, we as a mess, have discussed renting a small van or such for travel to far-off events. This may be less miles per gallon, but having seven or eight people in one car outweighs the cost.

You are very right that we need plenty of 1860 events. Causes of the war go as far back as 1776 (or even further) but to have quality events now for 150 years ago is the best for building a good background for 1861-65.

I still feel that having fewer, but larger, events will only grow our agenda. The 1858 Moultrie event will have only 40+ members attending, next year we hope to add to that.

[csabugler]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

In my 18 years I have had the opportunity to participate with some fine units. AoP, the Wig, Critters, etc. I have visited many historical sights in uniform and have had lots of great living history experiences. But there are some things that only the mega fest can give you. I forget the year of the franklin fest that the hurricane blew thru on thursday night. On saturday the old 10th Texas was part of a 180+ man regiment all in great jeancloth kits of the day. When we crested the rise behind which we were staged a panorama opened before us of thousands of confederates moving across a mile wide field in companies of 20- 100. It was awesome. That same weekend saw what I heard was over 200 fed cav ride onto the field and dismount to fight.
At Corinth 05, I maneuvered 5 battallions all over the field by bugle call.
I could go on, but my point is that there are some thingsthat only happen at the mega fests. I hope that this community will make an effort to put on their blinders and bring the quality to the big events.
Charles put the challenge out to get involved. I do not have the respect ,connections,
or experience to take the lead, but I will volunteer, if wanted, to work with this community and the powers that be in the mainstream world to establish quality opportunities for authentics here in the deep south if the support will be there.

[TKlas]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Hi gents,

I think it will really come down to what gents want to experience. For those never being in a large carpe eventum battalion like the Army of the Pacific at an anniversary event such as Shiloh, Franklin, Antietam, or Gettysburg, the 150th's may be very appealing. I may attend one of the above since Steve Dunfee is now in charge of the 1st Federal Division as an Aop comrade, but my primary focus will be on attending an NPS or state battlefield park offerings.

The number of troops really do not get me going anymore, it is more telling the story of the real men we attempt to portray as accurately as possible. Having gone to the last carpe eventum at September Storm I know that my enjoyment lies elsewhere and that is okay. And this is not a thread to bash the event organizers of September Storm. I think Chris Anders is doing a fine job trying to raise the bar of larger events and give him a lot of credit for his efforts and balancing act of working with the c/p/h wing and mainstream gents. Having been to the 130's, 135's, and with the Aop at Franklin and Corinth, I will tend to support the c/p/h battlefield LH's or events during the 150's.

As for schedule, pre-planning of events will be huge depending on the purpose of your event. A few of us are already kicking around an event for 2011 up here in Wisconsin replicating some militia actions and I am sure others are working on events as well. It will be an exciting time in the hobby and looking forward to it.

Good discussion.

Tom

[fedguy]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

I know I'm coming a bit late to this discussion, but let me put in my 2 cents worth. As background on myself, I've been doing Rev War reenacting since 1975. Yep, the Big One, the Bicentennial. Lots of farby things going on then, but I've always trended toward the more authentic units and organizations. You know, the ones with standards that are expected to be upheld. I'm looking at moving into CW-era units, and I think I've found some kindred spirits on this site.

Having been involved with a LOT of mega-events then, I would urge you to go to the big-box events and do what you do to the utmost. Set the standard unashamedly and call all like-minded individuals to the Standard of authenticity. We in the Rev War era are experiencing an aging of our members. If the same is the situation with you, how can those lean, hungry youngsters who yearn to "do it right" hope to find their way, unless you are prominently visible. Believe me, even the "common folk" recognize the "real deal" when they see it. There will always be farbs. That's unavoidable, and they will be legion in number if they are the only game in town. Be the "light on the hill", and you will attract the kind of people you want. The cream always rises. Be at the top to greet them when they arrive!

I would also try to mend fences with the other units who are not quite up to snuff. Gently encourage them to want to do better, then lead the way, while never compromising your own principles. Be open to them. You may be surprised. We've had some good luck in our community, though it has taken many years, but things are coming along.

Tom Mandrackie

[SCTiger]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

I would also try to mend fences with the other units who are not quite up to snuff. Gently encourage them to want to do better, then lead the way, while never compromising your own principles. Be open to them. You may be surprised. We've had some good luck in our community, though it has taken many years, but things are coming along

Tom: *and anyone else

Don't take this the wrong way, but we don't have years to effect reform work, the planning for the 150th Anniversary events are now less than two years away. You compromise the principal when you support events that will never enforce any historical goals. They will see you more as a nuisance, than as a example.

The LH and Campaigner side of this hobby has been setting the example for well over a decade. We are now at a decision point concerning Sesquicentennial events.

Do we continue to honor those Veterans by continuing to support commercial reenactments with little or no standards? Do we compromise our historical standards? Just so we can say, "we added to their numbers." I hope we are not that lazy and that we stay focused on teaching history and supporting quality events.

I would much rather attend Living History and Ebufu events for the next five years than to sell out to another messed up mainstream event.

It's not our job to reform, teach, inspire or convert the mainstream. They know what is right. The real examples existed during the war, if you can't get inspired by the accounts of the actual Veterans, how would I reform you by leading as a c/p/h reeanctor?

I am going to say this, and it won't be PC. We need to toss the "adjunct" idea, let the mainstream be and concentrate on creating and offering events that have a real purpose other than to provide cheap entertainment about our nations most horrific War.

[BenjaminLDavis]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Excellent discussion. This looks like it should become one of the main focus discussions this winter at many of the annual meetings each of our goups attend (WIG, GHTI in December, etc.). For many of us (grayhairs) this could be our "last Hurrah", before our ultimate GAR impressions!


Crabby

Hey, Crabby ~ one last Hurrah, then Veteran Reserve, then GAR! And in between Invalid
Corps and the Reunions we can sit on the porch and tell stories!
But make it a damn fine Hurrah!

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Chris Anders has coordinated an initial planning meeting for 150th cycle EBUFU outings and has scheduled a follow up for August 22 to nail down some dates for the initial events.

You can read about the discussions so far, as well as the pros and cons, here:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?p=141540#post141540

Anyone who wants to help can volunteer.

Anyone who wants to kvetch can do that, too. It's a free country. :)

[Gallinipper]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

You boys have fun. I'm holding out for the "Bicentennial" event series myself. :D

[guad42]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

Folks,

I am prepared for a volley of comments on what is only my own opinion. I can remember a time about 16 or 17 years ago, when I was about 13 and just starting to spend what little money I had on this hobby, when older family friends described the Centennial events in viscereal details. At the time, a good friend named Jerry Crandall (an artist who now lives in Montana) described the events he participated in in 1961, 62, 63, 64, and 65 and I can remember these stories being a major part of my early interest in the hobby. I grew up in Arizona, and if any of you have attended events there, or in NM or CA back in the 90s and early 2000s, you'll know that campaigner or no, you sort of grow to accept the few events there are, for what they are.

The Civil War was a major event, a sizable large scale event. It was not simply a series of small encampments, pickets, interactions with civilians, and exclusive small scale engagements - it was the largest military struggle fought on this continent. As with most of you, I value those small exclusive events that give us a personal, intimate experience. But in the bigger picture, there are other opportunities that each of us can take something of value from, looking beyond the material culture.

-Sam Dolan
1st Texas Infantry

[Hank Trent]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

But in the bigger picture, there are other opportunities that each of us can take something of value from, looking beyond the material culture.

If only the material culture was all that one had to look beyond.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[nrandolph]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

When I first joined my mainstream unit back in 2000, all the guys would get jacked up for the "big" event of the year. They would tell me stories about how such and such an event was an amazing experience and so forth. After attending a couple of these, Manassas and Antietam come to mind, I had less than a sterling experience. The large masses of troops, although impressive to look at if you squinted and pretended they looked like actual soldiers, couldn't maneuver in any meaningful way (I suppose since folks had never had experience handling that size). Our unit kept getting crunched by others, at Antietam we once had a seven line company, can't tell you how that happened! So many other aspects were such a disappointment that I haven't returned to one of those since...and haven't felt deprived!

I say that only to emphasize that I have felt a lot better about attending the worst CPH event other than going to any mega-event. I'll continue to support quality over a mass event any day and any event!

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

It sort of depends what you call a "mass event." In my experience you can work out a reasonable compromise in the range of one to two thousand participants. That doesn't mean you don't face challenges, but I think we can do it. I agree with Neil about megas, and with Hank's "if only" applied to such. But Sam speaks for a lot of us, too.

Fortunately, I think, you can recreate much of an individual's experience of a large engagement with comparatively small numbers, if one manages matters properly. My ideal season would have a mix of a couple of these "mid sized" "compromise" or "hybrid" events, and several "boutique" sized living histories.

[guad42]

Re: 150th Anniversary Cycle, and how it might impact our end of the Hobby

And please don't think I am submitting negativity towards junk on the bunk, or other similar ventures, they can be quite nice and I enjoy them to. And trust me, its awful to see the farbs at times. Kind of like watching a bad movie on a subject you know a lot about.

I just feel that there is an opportunity to get something out of these things, even if we're not over impressed with other units out there. Leadership in these situations is key, and a unit, or group, is only as good as its management - and that goes for events as well. Personally, I am going to try to attend one of the 150th events each year starting in 2011. If my kit and impression is great, and that of my mates, I'm satisfied. If I we leave any impression on less authentic folks (you know the kind I'm talking about - like those guys that never seem to run out of pistols), so be it, maybe that's a good thing too. But it's not my mission in life.

You'll all agree that many of the younger folks (face it, the future of this hobby) start out in pretty rough shape, with sometimes fairly rough units. It takes exposure, and a positive example to win these folks over as future comrades.

-Sam Dolan
1st Texas Inf.