Reenacting in West Virginia

Throughout the ninties, Reenacting grew in West Virginia, as it did in the rest of the country. Since the beginning of this decade, there seems to have been a downturn, at least for Civil War Reenacting, which has traditionally been the largest segment of the hobby. Events seem to draw fewer participants and those groups who do come seem to be comprised of fewer young members compared to past years. This has been a topic of conversation around many campfires for the last few years and I would love to hear what others have to say about it.

Indeed, there probably several questions here.

1. What are the causes?

2. Is this a real problem?

3. If so, what can be done about it?

4. How about other time periods?

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Jim Barnes

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6 responses to “Reenacting in West Virginia”

  1. Bill Donegan Avatar
    Bill Donegan

    Jim, Paul Mullins is working on his CW uniform and gear (He is making it himself). Unfortunately he like wearing gray and not blue.

    Bill

  2. Chuck Critchfield Avatar
    Chuck Critchfield

    This hobby (CW) has always attracted baby boomers. Who are aging…obviously. Some of us grew up in the CW Centenial. My father and the fact that I was emersed into the Centenial celebrations, I am sure, had much to do with my interest.

    Another thought, which I have expressed many times, is that with a dwindling number of reeactors, the number of “events” never seems to dwindle. Heck fire, they may still be increasing. Every little festival or town wants reeenactors.

  3. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Good point about the boomers, Chuck. But what do we do now that they are getting long in the tooth? I’m already considering what I can do when my legs won’t let me do infantry anymore. However, if we don’t start getting more young people into the hobby, there won’t be any Civil War reenactors for all of these events after a while. WWII doesn’t have this problem. There are a lot of younger folks doing that one.

    My question then, is what can we do to make CW attractive to young (or at least younger) recruits? Right now I don’t see it happening and I think that is true for a lot of groups besides the WVRA.

  4. Chuck Critchfield Avatar
    Chuck Critchfield

    Don’t know any quick and easy answers. Probably should start by talking to the under 40 crowd. After all, a lot folks were in their 30’s when they started into the hobby. right after I joined up with the 28th Mass, Blue&GRAY, North&South, Ken Burns all were released. There was a sudden explosion of interest in the hobby. I think the CW is off the radar screen. Meanwhile, the Greatest Generation movies, mini-series, and other events have been more popular since the 50th anniversary celebrations in the 90’s.

    Just my anecdotal observations

  5. Dennie Spence Avatar
    Dennie Spence

    I am a 20 year old Civil War Reenactor in North Central Mississippi and am a first hand witness to why our beloved hobby is dying. when i started reenacting 10 yrs ago it was easy to find friends who like wise were interested in the hobby and ready and willing to participate. However, in the past few years my 6 friends my age have all gone into college or the military and have girlfriends/wives who will say it is “unpopular” to reenact or will blatantly object to the boyfriend/husband participating in the hobby. I think it (the decline in nos. of younger people) largely is due simply to the “unpopularity” and “non politically correct” Garbage that is being taught to the youth today in both private and public schools. Kids (and i include my age group in this cattegory) don’t have a backbone enough to stand up and say “no i enjoy this and i will participate despite stepping on toes or being’non popular’!” The problem lies with the youth and what we are being taught.

  6. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Dennie, its good to hear from someone in your age group and get that perspective on the problem. Hopefully, there will be enough young people like yourself who have the guts to stand up for the hobby to keep it going until we can get it built back up again. Maybe, if enough people do it, it will be popular again. All we can do is try to counter the idiots. Keep up the good work. Thanks again.

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