Mr. Hicks has raised a good discussion on another thread regarding our expectations of the 150th annivesary cycle. Recently, I have really begun some reevaluation and reflection upon the varying attitudes of each NPS sites, State sites and historical sites I have worked with over the years. In addition to my experiences with the NPS sites, I have listened to and taken note of my peers experiences with them. I have seen some great sites that encourage, support and APPRECIATE quality reenactors sacrificing their precious time, money and talent to create quality educational programs for their sites. I will no longer support sites that do not truly appreciate our efforts. After, a recent, last-minute cancellation of an NPS Living History, I received the following comments from the NPS:
"More than 200 volunteers representing several reenactment
organizations were scheduled to participate, and it is understood each and
every one of them made either personal or organizational purchases to
support their planned involvement, whether it was food, black powder, or
additional equipment. In this regard the park also expended a considerable
funds in preparation for the event, on both labor and materials to support
the weekend program. "
Sorry, government funds are NOT the same as our AFTER-taxed, PERSONAL funds that we not only spend for gear & food, but for DONATIONS!
"In recognition of this personal commitment made on
behalf of the National Park Service, park management greatly appreciates
the interpretive services your members have contributed to Shiloh and most
especially the visiting public, and we would hope the unique opportunity to
camp upon and experience performing your living history hobby on the actual
ground where one of the momentous battles of the Civil War was fought would
more than balance out the private expenditures your members make to support
the collective and personal interest each of you share in the study of the
Civil War."
Well, this quote started out as appreciation. However, it assumes we should be thankful they allow us to spend our money for gear, food and donations for the privledge to use our PUBLIC, TAX-PAID parks! Seems sort of arrogant really. But, arrogance and indifference towards reenactors is something I notice among many NPS rangers.
Keep in mind that the Superintendent has never returned a single call from me, nor ever seen our program (he also has never thanked us while on site). He did not even have the courtesy to reply to my recent calls and passed it off to the enforcement ranger (who also has never watched our programs nor thanked us while on site).
If I have one chief complaint about many (not all) of the National Park
Services, it is this: The NPS does not seem to acknowledge or recognize the
sacrifices that most PROGRESSIVE reenactors bring to the parks programs. Nor do most parks acknowledge or recognize the difference in quality between these Progressive reenactors and other reenactors. These differences include, but not limited to:
- Researched impressions that include more authentic uniforms, gear, camps,
food, etc. This is more personal time that we enjoy, but it still holds
value. Many NPS staff do not know the difference between a quality reenactor and a poor, ill-informed one, nor do many seem to care.
- Better researched historical information regarding the battle or units
portrayed.
- Preservation is always important to us. In all of SCARs efforts we have always donated money to the site we are working at. I know this is true for many other c/p/h groups.
- Providing quality Federal portrayals throughout the South. This is VERY
uncommon in some parts of the South.
- Providing coordinated, rehearsed, educational and entertaining vignettes
for the public. We don't just do a few drills and that is it. Additionally,
organizers MUST make the living history interesting
and entertaining for the reenactors. Otherwise, no one will attend the
effort. Thus, it is not only difficult to put together a quality program
for the public and park, but it also must be appealing
to the reenactors! If you have not noticed, the number of Civil War
reenactors has been in sharp decline over the past few years.
- Spend considerably more money on correct uniforms, weapons, food and gear.
- With the exception of a handful of program organizers, all our reenactors
walk in their gear. This means they do not need to drive all over the park
to haul in gear. Less impact on the park and their services.
They carry gear appropriate for a soldier of the period being portrayed.
- A willingness to gather deadfall, haul water, chop wood, pre-event work,
sleep and reenact in harsher conditions, etc.
- Bring free media and attention to the park.
Some of you may not mind being treated as if you need to kiss the NPSs arse so you can do work for them, but, I guess I just value my time and effort more than that and have some self-respect.
As we approach the 150th anniversary celebrations, I am going to focus efforts, time and money to those sites that APPRECIATE and WELCOME quality reenactors, as well as have some ability to recognize the uniqueness of what we bring to their site.
Regards,
Jim Butler
SCAR www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar
SRR www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles
"More than 200 volunteers representing several reenactment
organizations were scheduled to participate, and it is understood each and
every one of them made either personal or organizational purchases to
support their planned involvement, whether it was food, black powder, or
additional equipment. In this regard the park also expended a considerable
funds in preparation for the event, on both labor and materials to support
the weekend program. "
Sorry, government funds are NOT the same as our AFTER-taxed, PERSONAL funds that we not only spend for gear & food, but for DONATIONS!
"In recognition of this personal commitment made on
behalf of the National Park Service, park management greatly appreciates
the interpretive services your members have contributed to Shiloh and most
especially the visiting public, and we would hope the unique opportunity to
camp upon and experience performing your living history hobby on the actual
ground where one of the momentous battles of the Civil War was fought would
more than balance out the private expenditures your members make to support
the collective and personal interest each of you share in the study of the
Civil War."
Well, this quote started out as appreciation. However, it assumes we should be thankful they allow us to spend our money for gear, food and donations for the privledge to use our PUBLIC, TAX-PAID parks! Seems sort of arrogant really. But, arrogance and indifference towards reenactors is something I notice among many NPS rangers.
Keep in mind that the Superintendent has never returned a single call from me, nor ever seen our program (he also has never thanked us while on site). He did not even have the courtesy to reply to my recent calls and passed it off to the enforcement ranger (who also has never watched our programs nor thanked us while on site).
If I have one chief complaint about many (not all) of the National Park
Services, it is this: The NPS does not seem to acknowledge or recognize the
sacrifices that most PROGRESSIVE reenactors bring to the parks programs. Nor do most parks acknowledge or recognize the difference in quality between these Progressive reenactors and other reenactors. These differences include, but not limited to:
- Researched impressions that include more authentic uniforms, gear, camps,
food, etc. This is more personal time that we enjoy, but it still holds
value. Many NPS staff do not know the difference between a quality reenactor and a poor, ill-informed one, nor do many seem to care.
- Better researched historical information regarding the battle or units
portrayed.
- Preservation is always important to us. In all of SCARs efforts we have always donated money to the site we are working at. I know this is true for many other c/p/h groups.
- Providing quality Federal portrayals throughout the South. This is VERY
uncommon in some parts of the South.
- Providing coordinated, rehearsed, educational and entertaining vignettes
for the public. We don't just do a few drills and that is it. Additionally,
organizers MUST make the living history interesting
and entertaining for the reenactors. Otherwise, no one will attend the
effort. Thus, it is not only difficult to put together a quality program
for the public and park, but it also must be appealing
to the reenactors! If you have not noticed, the number of Civil War
reenactors has been in sharp decline over the past few years.
- Spend considerably more money on correct uniforms, weapons, food and gear.
- With the exception of a handful of program organizers, all our reenactors
walk in their gear. This means they do not need to drive all over the park
to haul in gear. Less impact on the park and their services.
They carry gear appropriate for a soldier of the period being portrayed.
- A willingness to gather deadfall, haul water, chop wood, pre-event work,
sleep and reenact in harsher conditions, etc.
- Bring free media and attention to the park.
Some of you may not mind being treated as if you need to kiss the NPSs arse so you can do work for them, but, I guess I just value my time and effort more than that and have some self-respect.
As we approach the 150th anniversary celebrations, I am going to focus efforts, time and money to those sites that APPRECIATE and WELCOME quality reenactors, as well as have some ability to recognize the uniqueness of what we bring to their site.
Regards,
Jim Butler
SCAR www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar
SRR www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles
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