Why Do We Do This?

This week, on the eve of the Droop Mountain reenactment, I want to start a discussion about the value of reenacting and living history.

Why do we do this? This is a question that usually pops into your head when the wind has just blown over your tent fly and everything you own is wet. Or maybe five miles into a twenty-mile March for Preservation, your feet start screaming at you that they just weren’t cut out for brogans (or whatever period shoe.) We’ve all been through something like that. But I was thinking more of the impact of living history. First, listen to some of the hobby’s critics:

We’ll start with battle reenactments: A couple of weeks ago, we published a link to a page from the WV STATE JOURNAL, in which a college professor noted that he didn’t approve of reenactments, because reenactors “sanitize” the carnage. I have heard CW campaigners say that they eschew battle reenactments because they are ‘farby.’ A few years ago (and I can’t remember where) I read comments from an NPS ranger who said he didn’t like reenactors at all because they were playing soldier when they didn’t really wear the uniform. No doubt some readers will have heard other negatives. (And I haven’t even tossed in WWII yet!)

Yet, as noted on another recent blog, (http://thequibleycorner.blogspot.com/2008/10/famous-1862-battle-seige-at-uxbridge.html ) this year’s 145th Gettysburg over July 4th, something like 70,000 spectators came out to see the three days of battle reenactments. Also, even though there are probably too many small events all over the place anymore, at least in CW, the public still comes out and shows interest. This despite ridiculous gas prices and other sources of entertainment. So, there are others besides the hobbyists who see the value in what we do.

So, are we just low-cost entertainment to the public? Just another form of bread and circuses? Or do we actually serve noble our oft-stated goal of memorializing the men and women we portray, as well as educating the public about our particular niche of history?

I think the answer is both yes and no, (mostly yes.) I intend this as an ongoing thread, so I encourage you, dear readers, to weigh in.

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10 responses to “Why Do We Do This?”

  1. Randy Skaggs Avatar
    Randy Skaggs

    I just ran across your website. I look forward to blogging with you.

  2. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Randy,

    Thanks for checking us out. Please feel free to comment often. Any suggestions as to where we can improve are welcome.

    Jim

  3. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Hi,
    Cyla told me she met you at the Droop Mountain event and that you would list our event which is at the bottom of this email. Also take a look at our web site.
    I was just looking at your web site and wanted to comment that I think you are wrong in saying there are too many small events. Most of the people who come to our event, for instance, never go to another and it is a good way for them to learn about history. Also it gives an opportunity for the many scholars and living history speakers to get out to more events and spread their knowledge.

    Thanks,
    Darlene

    Battle of Lewisburg Living History & Reenactment, May 15-17, 2009, Downtown Lewisburg, West Virginia. Reenactors wanted who enjoy interacting with the public and sharing their knowlege and who enjoy a downtown event in a historic small town with historic sites, galleries, shops and restaurants within walking distance. Saturday skirmish, Sunday battle on the same street as the May 23, 1862 Battle of Lewisburg.
    Amenities include firewood, hay, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast. Reenactors contact military commander Ed Craun, c.s.arty@comcast.net. For more information http://www.battleoflewisburg.org

  4. Randy Skaggs Avatar
    Randy Skaggs

    Jim,

    Here’s a suggestion… perhaps a better title for your thread would be, “Why Do YOU Do This?” An appeal for responses from individual reenactors might encourage more participation in your thread. I’m sure that’s what you’re looking for. It would be directed at each individual, rather than the community as a whole. Of course, the end result would be a cross section of the entire reenacting community. That is, with enough responses, you’ll begin to see patterns and trends. You know, common ground among reenactors. An unscientific poll, of course, but common ground nonetheless. We don’t all participate for the same reasons. Each of us has a personal agenda/connection to reenacting as a hobbyist/living historian. For example, I have my own reasons, which I will elaborate on in a later post. For now, however, I enthusiastically join you in calling for responses from the reenacting community, with each colorful narrative describing a different facet of the hobby or a tale that just has to be told!

    You say that you were thinking more along the lines of “…the impact of living history.” You ask, “…are we just low-cost entertainment?… do we actually serve our goal of memorializing… as well as educating?…” These are all good conversation starters. C’mon folks, join the discussion.

  5. Misha Avatar
    Misha

    Hi Jim, and all my fellow re-enactors out there.
    The topic of re-enactment has come up amongst my own friends and family and I am often asked “why?” I hear the opinions of those who think “we are little boys with big toys,” the opinions of those who “see and appreciate the value of what we do,” but the one opinion I am offended by is “I served my time in war and I don’t appreciate what you do(or maybe think we are trying to glorify it).” Well hey pal, I served my time too and maybe I think someone ought to be educated (namely those you won’t share your story with) because they have a genuine interest and “want to understand” what you or those before you went through. Maybe History channel isn’t enough for them. We all learn in different ways. Why are Wii’s, and X boxes, and Play stations so popular? Because like us they are interactive. They capture the mind and imagination because you can reach out and feel it, touch it, be a part of it and while you may have your memories of the horrors of war, perhaps you should share some of that so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. People go to museums and war memorials my friends. We have an opportunity my fellow re-enactors because our hobby is like a traveling touch and see museum where people can ask questions and we can be the educators so that the stories of those before us who sacrificed so much can be told and their memories never die.

  6. Chuck Critchfield Avatar
    Chuck Critchfield

    There are a couple of ways I could go here….respond to the criticisms, which are legitimate, or chime in on “WHY?” Both are related it seems.

    But in answer to why, I wanted to do more than just read about that period in history. I was drawn by the comraderie and the pagentry. I didn’t give a darn whether the public came or not. I was happy reenacting with men and women of like mind.

    The “educating the public about history” part seemed to arise from others as an admirable goal and a way to some to justify reenacting. I, did not, feel we had to justify to the public what we were doing and didn’t care if we educated anyone, except our fellow reeanctors. However, I have come to realize since those days in 1987, that giving the public a small taste of history can only benefit all of us. So now, after dozens of reeanctments and school presentations and other public presentations, it is an important part of why I have reenacted over the past 21 years.

    Finally, I would have to say now, that meeting and spending time with my fellow reenactors is just as important as other reasons.

    Just some personal thoughts on my reenacting journey.

    God Save the Union!

    Chuck Critchfield
    1st West Virginia Volunteer Infatry

  7. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Wow! Great responses guys. What strikes me first is that this opens up so many avenues of discussion that I almost don’t know where to start. There are obviously many issues here as well as many opportunities. I intend to launch into this in more detail later this weekend as a new post. So, hang on!

  8. Misha 193rd Avatar
    Misha 193rd

    Hi Jim,

    Now that I’m off my political high horse I must confess that I too enjoy the comraderie. Especially those times when the public has left for the evening and we get to relax a little bit more. I still haven’t been able to get a hold of the Baltica, but the borscht is still good and the Russian water still wets the whistle.

    Jim, your posts are a lightening rod for re-enactors everywhere. Keep up the good work.

    Anyone looking for additional re-enactment work can check out my Volkssturm unit. Should be fun between your other events and the cost is minimal compared with other impressions.

    Hope you don’t mind the plug here Jim. Anyone can email us at kaiserlautern_gau15@yahoo.com
    Website is under construction.

    Thanks, Mike (Misha, 193rd) (Helmut, Gau15)

  9. Jim Barnes Avatar
    Jim Barnes

    Mike,Misha,Helmut:

    Thanks for the kind words. The plugs are fine. This is intended to be a resource. When you get a website together, I’ll put it on our links. That goes for you other folks out there as well.

    Jim

  10. Chuck Critchfield Avatar
    Chuck Critchfield

    We’ve talked about why….but what about some of those critcisms tossed about in the first entry? Probably valid to some extent. Do we sanitize? Are we little boys with big toys? Do we do farby battles?

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