Generational Reenacting

[Guy Gane III]

This is something that I have been wondering about for quite a while...:sarcastic

How many of us here on the Authentic-Campaigner are second generation reenactors? I know that there is the possibility of 3rd or 4th, so I included them also.

I figured this would be a fun and informative question to ask.

As for myself, I'm a second generation reenactor. My father was a member of the 100th New York Infantry in the late 1960-70's. When I used to play 'soldier' or "War", I was rockin' original belts, carty boxes, hats... then I got a lickin'. :confused_ NOW, I know why. haha.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm the first in my family to take up this bizarre hobby, but my 10-year-old son occasionally attends events as a civilian, so he's the second generation for us.
Paul Hadley

[rebinnj]

Re: Generational Reenacting

My dad started reenacting in the early 70's back in Indiana. And believe it or not he used an original Federal cartridge box, which I still have, but properly protected! I can't remember right now the exact company/unit he was in, but I remember they fell under a Stonwall Jackson Brigade.

[marylandreb]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm the first but I have pulled my twenty year old son in and he can't get enough of campagining only problem with his college I will have to continue to bank roll him oh well small price to pass this on

[billyreb61]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I am the first generation reenactor in my family. I have actually gotten my father into the hobby.

[Spinster]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm Second Generation in a large extended family of reenactors doing multiple American time periods.

Darling Daughter is, therefore, third generation.

The grandchild of one of my first cousins recently attended a Colonial Era event, heralding our family's fourth generation in the hobby.

And pretty much poor white in all centuries :D

[toptimlrd]

Re: Generational Reenacting

My son started not long after I began so we have two generations starting together. My wife came in a couple of years later.

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Pards & Comrades,

I do not realy know how to classify myself. My father and I started doing Civil War events in 1985 together. So it is not really like I was raised up into it. Yet I attribut much of my success and Disfunction to being apart of this great hobby. In refernce to a third generation Both of my sons have attended an event and are very interested in going out in the field with Dad , Hard to do at many of the events because they are 8.5 & 7 , But I am trying to get them involved.

RM

[JLHurst]

Re: Generational Reenacting

1st generation here. Started when I was 13 because of a good middle school history teacher I had telling my father about a local event for extra credit in class. The next month I had been in contact with a few local guys about getting started. I'm 29 & married now. Maybe one day my children will be able to boast that they're 2nd gen reenactors.

Although I am a 3rd gen. firefighter. . .but hopefully my children would want to continue they're education as I'm having to do now. Collage seem tough 10 years after the fact.:o

[Drygoods]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Greetings all,

In terms of generations reenacting, although I am a first, I have seen my children, and hopefully the future grandchildren will participate. I may end up dandling those grandbabies on my knee at events someday as I fear that will be all I will be able to do.

One thing that hasn't been touched upon yet is how old is too old for living history? I say this because I now find myself too old to sleep on the ground and stand around in poor weather for days at a time. Consequently, this leaves me fewer events that I can attend, and I often wonder how long I can continue in a hobby that is rough on the body. Yes the spirit is certainly willing but the flesh is weary and tired.

So what do you do when you've spent your entire life getting all this great gear together and then find yourself waiting at home? I cannot see the point of after preaching for years 'go authentic' and then having to compromise and turn into a mainstreamer simply because I can't keep up with those younger folks. Fact of life I guess, our good times don't last forever. And although I will never settle for knowing all there is about history, I may have to settle for the fact that age does limit one and accept it.

[TKlas]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I am a second generation reenactor as well. My dad started in 1987, and I followed him in 1989. I am sure there are plenty of others. The real good question should be how many c/p/h generations are out there? I love my dad, but he is firmly in the mainstream crowd and happy to be there.

Interesting thread.

Tom

[Swag]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I think like most of us, I'm 1st Generation in my family. Keep trying to get my parents to come out and play but its a lost cause. Maybe one day when I have a kid I can drag him in to the hobby, and hope he catches the bug like I and so many have.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm in the second generation catagory....

My dad started reenacting in 1983, and got our family involed in the hobby as well in Cincinnati Ohio. In the mid 80's, we hit 5 125th anniversary events (Shiloh, Perryville, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Atlanta), in which case I was a musician beating on a drum.

Now days, I'm the only one in my family who's still in the hobby.

[BillM1863]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I am a 1st generation reenactor and waited till I was 50 to give it a try. I went to my first major event at Shiloh and I am hooked. Right now I am in an artillery unit but would like to try infantry before I get to old to do it.

Bill

[biddler165]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm a first generation reenactor. I was raised about 15 minutes away from Sharpsburg and went fishing within sight of Burnside bridge very often. I never really thought much about the War until high school. I've always wanted to get into the hobby since then, but real military duties have kept me from it until 2004.