Re: Is anyone shocked?
Many good comments and viewpoints have been presented here. I’ll just make a few of my own here. I’ve probably said some before now. Not sure I can add to anything or help, but I felt compelled to write.
While I see the recent trend of every authentic events being preservation oriented good and well…I also see it as verging on overkill. As Mark Mason pointed out, “it starts to add up in ones pocket book.” I have had to put off getting some additions for my kit to give towards preservation-but it’s not an issue with me and I don’t mind when it really comes down to it. I also give to events that I don’t attend when I can. You can also go to folks so much for preservation before they stop giving. Although I do what I can for Civil War preservation, I am first an historic preservationist. It is much broader than the war years. I belong to a few non Civil War related preservation groups because of my love for historic preservation in general. My first love of history began with the Civil War however and I haven’t forgotten that.
Dusty, I am not really that shocked to how many people took part in your survey. I’ve unofficially looked at the number of views for preservation related items and they just aren’t as frequently looked at as the others for some reason. I’ve never understood why though. I don’t really expect anyone that didn’t partake in the survey to comment here either-I may be wrong though. So why isn’t preservation and reenacting regarded as partners by a majority of re-enactors? Very hard to say. You wouldn’t want to put out a survey asking about that!
It wasn’t until I started attending more authentic events that I noticed and effort and drive being made for preservation. I know there are mainstream groups out there that do preservation work though. They’ve actually done some good things in regards to saving forts, battlefields, sites, etc. Although their view of historic preservation is sometimes a bit different and “old school.” I think the approach to how a site is preserved needs to be carefully considered and planned out. This goes for any level in this hobby.
One could actually say-if you are a living historian then you are doing something for battlefield preservation. By participating in this hobby, you are hopefully bringing awareness and information about the Civil War to others. Perhaps getting others interested in the hobby that may end up one day contributing. I suppose I am of the party that supports everyone doing what they can-as long as it is something. Perhaps those that haven’t given need to think why they are in this hobby and hat got them here. What really got them here. To all those that do contribute-thank you! I know our ancestors would be proud of this work. You should feel proud.
Many good comments and viewpoints have been presented here. I’ll just make a few of my own here. I’ve probably said some before now. Not sure I can add to anything or help, but I felt compelled to write.
While I see the recent trend of every authentic events being preservation oriented good and well…I also see it as verging on overkill. As Mark Mason pointed out, “it starts to add up in ones pocket book.” I have had to put off getting some additions for my kit to give towards preservation-but it’s not an issue with me and I don’t mind when it really comes down to it. I also give to events that I don’t attend when I can. You can also go to folks so much for preservation before they stop giving. Although I do what I can for Civil War preservation, I am first an historic preservationist. It is much broader than the war years. I belong to a few non Civil War related preservation groups because of my love for historic preservation in general. My first love of history began with the Civil War however and I haven’t forgotten that.
Dusty, I am not really that shocked to how many people took part in your survey. I’ve unofficially looked at the number of views for preservation related items and they just aren’t as frequently looked at as the others for some reason. I’ve never understood why though. I don’t really expect anyone that didn’t partake in the survey to comment here either-I may be wrong though. So why isn’t preservation and reenacting regarded as partners by a majority of re-enactors? Very hard to say. You wouldn’t want to put out a survey asking about that!
It wasn’t until I started attending more authentic events that I noticed and effort and drive being made for preservation. I know there are mainstream groups out there that do preservation work though. They’ve actually done some good things in regards to saving forts, battlefields, sites, etc. Although their view of historic preservation is sometimes a bit different and “old school.” I think the approach to how a site is preserved needs to be carefully considered and planned out. This goes for any level in this hobby.
One could actually say-if you are a living historian then you are doing something for battlefield preservation. By participating in this hobby, you are hopefully bringing awareness and information about the Civil War to others. Perhaps getting others interested in the hobby that may end up one day contributing. I suppose I am of the party that supports everyone doing what they can-as long as it is something. Perhaps those that haven’t given need to think why they are in this hobby and hat got them here. What really got them here. To all those that do contribute-thank you! I know our ancestors would be proud of this work. You should feel proud.
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