A blog about reenacting and living history.
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Pearl Harbor
Take a minute from football to remember that 67 years ago today, Japan attacked the US fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Also remember the 2042 American service personnel who were killed and the 1282 who were wounded.
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Skirmish Magazine
Many of you may be familiar with the British living history publication Skirmish magazine. For those who are not, I would like to recommend it as an interesting alternative to your usual reenactor literature. I recently started getting it and have been impressed with the quality. How I got to this point, however is a…
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Old Bedford Village November 2008
The weekend of November 21-22 saw another edition of the annual Fall Eastern Front reenactment at Old Bedford Village near Bedford, PA. As many of you know, OBV, a recreated historic village, is an outstanding location for living history events and reenactments for various time periods. The management at the site has an excellent attitude…
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Cumberland Goes to War
While, for various reasons, my health being foremost, I was unable to participate in this event, I did go over on Saturday November 15, 2008 and visit with the reenactors who did set up for this weekend. Partially due to the rain, there was a light turnout of reenactors for this weekend, however in talking…
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Why You (We) Do This III
In the last series of posts on this subject, one of our contributors mentioned the occasionally heard complaint that reenactors glorify war. Probably most folks in the hobby regard this as being unfair and misguided and slough it off as a as another example of ignorance on the part of the general public. This is…
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Veteran’s Day
We would like to take a moment and express our profound gratitude to all veterans out there. Thank you for your service! Reenactorpost staff
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The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
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Cumberland Goes to War & Western MD Scenic Trains
In looking at a link about Christmas Trains for my youngsters, I found out that the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers historic train rides this month with a WWII theme. Here’s the scoop: This November, WMSR Goes To War! As part of a community tribute to America’s Greatest Generation, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad will…
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1940’s Radio Hour
The 1940s Radio Hour (Find out more on Facebook) Presented by WV Wesleyan College Event InfoType: Music/Arts – Performance When: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 8:00pm through Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 2:00pm Location: Atkinson Auditorium, Buckhannon, WV Description: The 1940’s Radio Hour takes the audience on a nostalgic trip down memory lane into a…
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A Sharpe Idea
Some time ago, I began getting the Sharpe series from Netflix. If you are not familiar with this British production, it concerns the adventures (military and romantic) of Major Richard Sharpe, commander of the 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot in Wellington’s army during the Napoleonic wars. Sean Bean (Boromir in Lord of the Rings) stars…
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Interesting new Book – Hitler Moves East
Hitler Moves East: A Graphic Chronicle, 1941-43 by David Levinthal and G. B. Trudeau is a new book ( or rather a newly illustrated reprint) about the Eastern Front in WWII. The unusual aspect is that the illustrations use dioramas with model soldiers and vehicles to recreate stock photographs of the campaign. Looks interesting. I…
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Civil War Bus Trip by Mark Tennant
CIVIL WAR BUS TRIP On Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 I went on a bus trip sponsored by the Mason-Dixon Civil War Roundtable to visit some Civil War sites in the eastern panhandle of W. Va.. Jim Barnes had signed up to go on this trip with me but had to cancel at the last minute…
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Why You (We) Do This II
Well, I’m back, sort of. Not 100% but I can write some. Chuck asked about the criticisms I mentioned early on, so I thought that might be a good place to start this week. Do reenactors sanitize the carnage of battles? In my opinion, that has to be a big yes, unless we actually want…
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Illness
Due to an illness, I am not able to work on the blog this week. Hopefully next week. Jim
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Why Do You (We) Do This?
Much thanks to Randy, Misha and Chuck for some great comments and thought-provoking observations. My own personal path to living history probably dates back to reading Bruce Catton’s marvelous trilogy about the Union Army of the Potomac back in the seventies. (Mr. Lincoln’s Army, Glory Road, and A Stillness at Appomattox)* I think it was…
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145th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Droop Mountain
This past weekend saw the biannual Droop Mountain reenactment at the DM Battlefield park in Pocahontas County, WV. It was in many ways an optimal weekend for the event. The weather could hardly have been better. Clear blue skies framed a fine golden and red leaf display. The temperatures were warm during the daylight hours…
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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.…
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WWII Reenacting in Europe
Reenacting is hardly just an American pastime. Napoleonic reenacting, for example, has been a huge hobby in Europe for a long time. From the look of these pictures, WW2 reenacting has become very popular in some areas as well. In fact, they are doing it big time! Having all those vehicles at hand must help.…
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Droop Mountain
Droop Mountain State Battlefield Park is one of only two battlefield parks run by the State of West Virginia, the other being Carnifax Ferry. Droop Mountain Park is located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia overlooking the broad valley where the little town of Hillsboro is located. At any time of year it is a beautiful…
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Militaria Extravaganza
Do you collect militaria? Trick question – if you are reading this, there is about a 95% chance that you at least would like to collect military collectables. Well, the show of shows is just around the corner. The 2008 MAX (Military Antiques Extravaganza) Show will once again be at the Expomart in Monroeville, just…
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New England Eastern Front Event, 2008 (Submitted Event)
Earl F. Leavitt Jr. & Jim Forster Present: NEW ENGLAND EASTERN FRONT EVENT, 2008 Location: Haydenville, Mass. When: Friday 24 Oct. 3PM/ 1500hrs. Property open for early arrival, Overnight camping. If you are not familiar with the location please arrive before 8PM to insure you are camping in the right place! Saturday 25 Oct. Registration…
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Civil War Heritage [The State Journal]
Missed this article the other day. Oops! In case you haven’t read it already, here it is. – Sarah Civil War Heritage West Virginia prepares for influx of tourists as 150th anniversary of the war between the states nears. Story by Paul Darst Fighting a battle in the rugged mountains of West Virginia is no…
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Updated Event Schedule (Sept. 17, 2008)
This Weekend! September 20-21. World War II Weekend Location: Eisenhower Farm, Gettysburg National Historic Site, Gettysburg, PA. WWII Weekend On September 20-21, the National Park Service will sponsor a World War II living history weekend at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. An authentic recreation of both Allied and German army camps, complete with original World…
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Transylvania in Pennsylvania September 2008
This event was held at the Great War Assn. site near Newville, PA over the weekend of September 12-14. The site was harder to get to than usual due a massive Penndot bridge project which is going on the area. Having downloaded the new directions from the GWA website and taking the extra precaution of…
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Organizations Fight to Save State’s Civil War Battlefields [The State Journal]
Some of West Virginia’s Civil War battlefields are scenes of new fighting. For the past four years, a group of Jefferson County residents has been fighting to save an historic battlefield there, said Edward Dunleavy, president of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association Inc. “It’s been difficult for the past four years,” he said. “(A developer)…
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Battle of Point Pleasant Boosts Mason County Tourism [The State Journal]
One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era. POINT PLEASANT — Not all heritage tourism in West Virginia revolves around the Civil War. One community in the state is busy promoting a battle that took place there during the Revolutionary War era. Point Pleasant…
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West Virginia Battles Play Key Role in Civil War [The State Journal]
They might not be the first battles that leap to mind when thinking about the American Civil War, but the battles fought in West Virginia were important, one expert said. C. Stuart McGehee is a history professor and dean of his department at West Virginia State University. He has spent much of his professional life…
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Living History Pictures – Group I
Our first collection of images. Take a look and let us know what you think!
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World War II living history at the Trolley Museum September 7, 2008
On Sunday, I joined members of the 28th Infantry (Bloody Bucket) Living history Association for an encampment at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum just north of Washington, PA. The guys in the 28th had great displays set up and attracted a continuous flow of curious spectators. The encampment was held in conjunction with an antique truck…
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McGrew House, Kingwood, WV September 6, 2008
This past Saturday, I spent the day participating in a living history event at the James C. McGrew house in Kingwood, WV. Mr. McGrew was a community leader in antebellum Preston County, Virginia (later West Virginia) and was a delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention in 1861. He voted against secession and returned home to…
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King Tiger Video
Restored German Mark VI King Tiger tank Youtube site with great Panzer videos. The sound is awesome! The King Tiger featured virtually impenetrable armor on its front and sides, but was vunerable at the rear. The enormous weight of the tank (70 tons) put huge demands on the drive train, resulting in frequent mechanical problems.…
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September Events
With the holiday last weekend, I took a few days off from the blog, but am back at it again. There is a lot going on this month. More than I can keep up with myself. With rain moving through the Eastern Panhandle this weekend, I decided against going to Romney for the events there.…
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Upcoming events for Fall 2008
The following are upcoming events for this fall. If anyone would like others listed here, please contact us or post in the comments. Hampshire Heritage Days September 5-7. (Romney, WV) with a CW skirmish at Fort Mill Ridge and a WWII living history as well. Link: http://www.hampshireheritagedays.info Transylvania in Pennsylvania September 12-13. WWII. 1945 scenario.…
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Droop Mountain cleanup
The semi-annual Droop Mountain cleanup took place this past weekend in preparation for the reenactment weekend on October 11-12. About a dozen WVRA members and friends from the Stonewall Jackson Reenactment unit participated in what could have almost qualified as an episode of ‘Axemen’ (and women). A couple of dead standing and numerous fallen trees…
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Old Bedford Village August 2-3, 2008
Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA held its annual WWII living history weekend on this date. The weather cooperated and the event was, as usual, a fun, laid-back affair. Reenactors present were primarily: German from the Grossdeutschland Division and 9th SS; Soviet, from the 193rd Rifle Division and 150th Guards; and American Seabees. There were…
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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…
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Rowlesburg, WV 2008
On June 29, we exhibited at Rowlesburg, WV. We set up our Soviet exhibit. World War II Reenacting/Living History is a relatively new segment of the hobby in West Virginia, but it is growing in interest in the Reenactor community and also is attracting the interest of the general public. Rowlesburg, WV puts on a…
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Gettysburg 2008
Watching the defeated Rebs Gettysburg 2008 was quite an event! This was the biggest reenactment that this author has attended in years. It seems like there has been a general downturn in reenactor participation at events over the last couple of years and I’m not sure that gas prices are the only reason. At any…