Organizing Reenactors?

[southron_98]

This has always been a source of wonder and awe for me, has anyone ever seen a hobby without organization? Now be honest, you can’t call what we have organization. I know you’re getting out your pitch and feathers but stop and think for a minute, safety, authenticity, no more solo banzai charges, families in one camp and soldiers in the next, the possibilities are endless. Now you’re saying it can’t be done, I am here to tell you can’t just takes a little longer. I pitched a
scenario to several of the approved vendors and convinced them. I can promise you this, if someone doesn’t do it you’ll see reenacting disappear with-in the next ten years. With liability the way it is no one will be able to host and may-be even participate. Oh, one last thing my goal is not power or anything similarly I just would like to leave something to the hobby. Let’s hear your views. Gary Adams

[Hank Trent]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Organization and enforcement of rules at any given event is quite practical and common right now. If you're currently seeing families in camp, banzai charges and blatant safety violations and you don't want to, then you're attending the wrong events.

The hard part is figuring out how to prevent all other people who don't want to adhere to your rules, from putting on events. Say the local historical society of Possum Hollow wants to form a reenactment group, order some $150-special uniforms and hold a reenactment on their town square or somebody's farm, with no authenticity rules or safety rules, except what they want, and they're having fun and are happy. Explain how you'd stop them.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Very good point, Hank!! Organization is not necessarily an evil thing. I'm not in favor of ossified structures, but a basic organizational team is vital to a well-run event--they don't just spring fully formed from the brow of Zeus, after all.

Mr. Adams, from your post, I really couldn't figure out what it was you were bucking for: more and better organization, or a free-for-all? It would be easier to give an opinion if one was fully expressed to begin with, around which to formulate debate and discussion.

[BHoover]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

As usual, Hank has hit the nail on the head. Events that are worth attending already are organized. That's one of the things that makes them worth attending! ...sort of a Catch-22 in reverse or something :-)

To the original poster, I suggest that you look at the list of events discussed on this board, and attend a few of them. It will give you a whole new view of the subject.

[southron_98]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Having worked in this field for 26 years I learned it is not easy, you shoot them. But another way, you take the people with a financial interest suttlers, local areas who sponsor us, event organizers, and then all the 763 Commanders (may-be a little inflated) and you discuss financial gain, liability and repercussions for allowing unauthorized events.

The Suttlers loved the idea, they have guidelines (there will never be a way for all reenactors to be authentic- but we can have limits that everyone can agree on); the event organizers love it more people means they have a income; the counties love it more soldiers means more tourists, less liability; even the Commanders because eventually members of that group will either float to the top or wither and die. Too easy, well Trent you are not welcome at any event for two years would that discourage you from having you’re own event? Dear Mayor of Lexington you are allowing an unauthorized event no one will come from our organization and we will not participate in future events for two years. Dear Gary your event is in conflict with a pre-scheduled event if you join our origination we will enter you’re event into next years schedule and afterwards on a rotating basics. Reenactors are issued a card and learn the basis rules: safety, levels of uniforms and equipment they can purchase, impressions, etc. May-be charge ten dollars and publish a publication or a regular basis (one could sign on say with Civil War News and have their own article, a web site, what am I forgetting?

A unit would of course continue doing what they have always done. I know I am forgetting much but bring it up and let’s discuss it. Gary Adams

[dusty27]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Gary, are you saying that you have been re-enacting for 26 years?

Please list some of the events that you have attended in the past.

[southron_98]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Mrs. Clark,

I am married so I don't think I still have an opinion. Seriously, though I have been fighting 25 years and have seen almost everything. I know for example that from back when we were “hardcore” to now most of the army makes fun of us. I know when I am in rank with an average group there is always a pair of blacked Dessert Boots, I know when walking down a company street I find the wives, kids and cereal boxes. I understand many join as a family hobby and I feel there is a place for them, I also know there are many who want civilians banned from events. I could keep on, but surely you have seen and heard all this, I am saying with a true organization everyone well almost everyone could find a niche.

[southron_98]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Gary, are you saying that you have been re-enacting for 26 years?

Please list some of the events that you have attended in the past.

Dusty, Let me take off my shoes and make sure, my son is 24 and I started when he was three nope 21 years, sorry about that! Until I became incapacitated I was at every major and countless minor events in the East, only going to Franklin once. I was with the ANV, Longstreet, usually serving with Colonel Britton. I meet Mr. Childs early on and have harassed him for years! I was an original subscriber to the Watchdog and tried to follow a decent impression. Right now due to health problems I have been selling my equipment as attested to by your buddy Paul.

Gary, I hope your health problems are temporary. You must sign all of your posts (one above also) with your full name. - Mike Chapman

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Gary, I too am sorry for your health problems, and wish much luck to you in your recovery.

However, in my second warning to you about not signing your name to your posts, I, in no uncertain terms, gave fair warning that there would not be a third.

Consider this, your notice of suspension.

Scott McKay, moderator
Authentic Campaigner Forums

[BarryDusel]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Gary,
What are you talking about? Are you particularly talking about Mega events, powder burners, they are where the problems exist anyway. If they all disappeared tomorrow , IMO it wouldn't be missed. Anyway, There are already organizations in place. Many of them participate as an alliance. The NR is just one example. Fully insured, Command structure, a semblance of military bearing, etc.

Now, I also understand that 'reenacting has become big business. Let the organizors who want to make money pick up the tab for insurance, etc.

Lots of funds are raised annually for preservation, etc. That is my sole reason for even a general wish of their continuance.

For my ownself. I would rather do living history at the sites.

After having been in this hobby since 1973, not a record for sure. I've seen alot of progress. However, somethings have never changed. That is the Banzai charges, the family in camp, etc. Back when I started, it was Rev, War, and the BAR was Titz. Yet they had those problems then. Simple answer was the units that violated, individually and as a group were banned.

Yet, if you ever participated back then. You know there were various other organizations. Generally, as today. We allied together for powder burning silliness.

So, everything you are asking has been addressed by the serious legitmate living historians.

In the end. It boils down to the free lancers and independants, the Farbs, etc. That my friend we can police ourselves if we choose too.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

I'm shutting this thread down. Too many references to sutlers, battles, rules, cereal boxes, wives, kids, and desert boots for me to believe this thread is related to mission of this web site: Authentic Living History Presentations of the American Civil War.

I am aware that there are other hobbies out there related to the American Civil War, but which have a decidedly different focus than the membership of The Authentic-Campaigner.

This thread appears to be related to one of those "Other Civil War Hobbies". Such discussions should be conducted outside of the Authentic-Campaigner as they do not apply here.

Regards,

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Hallo Kameraden!

The AC Forum is a Website for the Authentic Civil War Living Historian by declaration, and the H/A Wing of the F/M/C/P/H/A Cw Community by design, policy, and practice, (and for those striving/progressing/evolving to be H/A).

This is poor discussion to begin with, and of a type better suited for bandwidth on F/M fora. (If that.)

It is closed.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Moderator

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Organizing Reenactors?

Being a firm supporter of the Constitution and limited government, I do not agree that any one overriding "organization" should ban/boycott/coerce municipalities or individuals into their idea of an "event."

From the scenes described by Mr. Adams, it sounds like he's not made the jump to the more history-heavy event circuit. Should he choose to do so, he'll find most of his issues disappear--save for the fact that his desire to micromanage may not be fulfilled.

Why on earth would I want those with financial interests to be the deciding force in what events I attend? I'm largely suspicious, perhaps, but money and historic accuracy have very little truck with one another.

"Unauthorized Events..." I didn't know they had jackboots in the Civil War. Thuggery, I did know about. I don't choose to support that attitude, as it's diametrically opposed to what the Authentic Campaigner attitude encourages.

Snipped:
"Too easy, well Trent you are not welcome at any event for two years would that discourage you from having you’re own event?"

Ummm... that's exactly how a lot of the best little events get started... there are no offerrings to satisfy the individual craving for history, and so the individual gathers like-minded folks and starts a small event... no convening with sutlers, or mayors, or those with "financial interests." Welcome to the world of progressive thought. It's pretty here.

I see no real need to rehash this tired old "National Organization" topic. It gets brought up at least once a year, and the upshot is this: nope.

I'm an American. Personal liberty is the reason I'm happy. I'm not about to "submit" to an organization so concerned with power that they weild their "authorization" like an Egyptian whip above the backs of the Israelites of old.

And.... big news here, I know... the soldier is only a part of the world during the war, and most "spectators" will be just as happy with living histories over powder-burning.

Thanks to all for the sensible, anti-farb comments.