Historical Reenactment and Living History

Do you enjoy history? Are you fascinated by the cultures and daily lives of your ancestors or others in the past? Have you ever wished you had a time machine? Historical reenactment allows you to indulge those interests by immersing yourself in the time period you love. You can experience the details of historic living by dressing, eating, living, fighting, crafting, and dancing in the way of those before us, as well as interact with those who share your passion for historic times. A popular hobby, it is both educational and entertaining. Many families choose to reenact together as a way to enjoy family time and educate their children.

From living-history museums to local historical societies, from school presentations to staged battle scenes, reenactments of history surround us. Hundreds of special-interest groups have developed to serve as a network for connecting people from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Historically themed weddings are increasingly popular, and there are informational sites, organizations, and vendors to address every reenacting need.

What does it mean to be a reenactor? Even that cannot be easily defined. For some, it means that every piece of clothing and accessory must be an accurate reproduction or as close to historically accurate as possible. For some groups or events, clothing is woven and stitched by hand, cookware hand-forged, language spoken in historical dialect, proper historical etiquette expected, and weapons techniques taught according to historical manuals. Among other groups, people may take bits and pieces of what they enjoy, yet retain some modern comforts or historical fantasy-based elements. The group you join and your willingness to research and participate will determine your investment in both time and money.

One thing almost all reenactors have in common, regardless of era, is the adoption of a persona. When you are reenacting, you assume that persona, dressing and acting appropriately. Some groups base personas on actual historical characters, such as a particular soldier from the American Civil War. Others prefer to create a character using historical elements of the time without representing an actual historic individual. By creating a history for your persona, you determine the type of clothing you wear, skills you have, weapons you use, musical instruments you play, or social status you have within a group. If the group is too strict and time consuming or is not as dedicated and authentic as you want, there is a good chance you can find another to suit your preferences. Also, keep in mind that there are reenactment groups and living-history opportunities for nearly every historical era, but this article contains a listing of the most popular.

The Ancient World  

People are recreating not only the lives of the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Celts, but prehistoric communities as well. There are a number of Bronze Age living-history museums, particularly in Europe, but even in the United States, some dabble in prehistoric life, even staging tournaments with atlatls—primitive spear throwers used to hunt mammoth and other animals—or practicing primitive survival skills. There are many reenacting groups from the classical ancient world throughout Europe, the United States, and Australia, some covering large stretches of time, others specific battles or clans such as the Huns or the Visigoths. These are increasing numbers of Roman reenactors, some of whom are part of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance  

Without question, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are the most popular time periods for reenactors worldwide. Some groups focus on fact, others on romantic fantasy. Many groups relive these days of European chivalry, tournaments, and beautiful clothing. For just a taste, you can attend one of the many Renaissance fairs or festivals held on varying scales around the globe. These events often charge an entrance fee that allows a visitor to experience many types of entertainment, including music, dance, plays, tournaments, live animal and weapons demonstrations, and comedy shows. Fairs often feature costumed actors interacting with the crowds. Food and crafts, which range from the handcrafted and historically accurate to the outrageous, are available for purchase. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume when attending, and some events even rent costumes to attendees. This can be a fun way to first experience reenactment of this era. The authenticity of these fairs varies from event to event, with some being more historically accurate than others.

If you are more seriously interested in participating in a reenactment of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, there are many groups to join. Without a doubt, the best-known is the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Founded in California in 1966, the SCA describes itself as "an international organization dedicated to researching and recreating the arts, skills, and traditions of pre-seventeenth century Europe." The SCA has divided the world into kingdoms, and each kingdom has many smaller subunits right down to households. The SCA prides itself on accuracy to a point, but it does allow for modern conveniences and tries to preserve the best of the Middle Ages while avoiding the worst, such as the bubonic plague, poor hygiene, and lack of plumbing or heat. Activities cover everything from weeklong battle reenactments to small local feasts. Members' personas include everything from Celtic bards and Viking warriors to Italian aristocrats and Elizabethan maids. The SCA is highly organized and offers extensive information online.

Live Action Role Playing (LARPing)  

For those who wish to indulge entirely in the fantasy and fairy-tale realm of the Middle Ages without any call for authenticity, there is a hobby called LARPing, or live-action role playing. LARPers dress up and act out their characters in a giant improvisational drama. Whole companies specialize in running events for LARP, although many events and clubs are local and the rules and type of world vary from group to group. Although this is clearly not living history or reenactment, many people participate in both.

The Colonial Period and American Revolutionary War  

The era between 1600 and 1800 was full of exploration, adventure, and war in the United States. The French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War are the major events reenacted from this time period. Due to the rise in printed material from this time, much more detailed information is available about every part of daily life; therefore, reenactors of this era tend to be far more authentic in their events, re-creating specific battles and war camps. These are often open to the public for educational and entertainment purposes. The largest number of reenactors of the Revolutionary War can be found on the East Coast, in what were the thirteen original colonies, but groups may also be found in other places including, strangely enough, England.

Pirate reenactment has become very popular in recent years. While piracy itself has been occurring for well over four thousand years, the pirates most often portrayed by reenactors are those from the 1490s through late 1700s. Like any other reenacting groups, the pirate organizations vary in their authenticity, but most are dedicated to portraying the life of those traveling the seas in this time period, including sailing methods and onboard ship living.

Frontier America  

Perhaps you are a fan of James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans or you obsessed with old Westerns? From the French Canadian voyageurs to the Lewis and Clark expedition, from exploring the East Coast to the opening of the Wild West, this adventurous era provides plenty of historical material for the reenactor. Most early American explorers were fur traders and trappers, or "mountain men," who pushed the boundaries of the United States westward, opening the way for the pioneers who would follow. Those who hiked those unbroken trails were called "trekkers." You may want to learn to shoot a black powder rifle and wear buckskin while attending a "rendezvous," a sporting and camping event, or you may want to learn to quilt, stock a covered wagon, and farm in the pioneer style. Those wishing to relive the days of the later Wild West can join the "shootists," who practice action-shooting with pistols both on foot and on horse. Once again, as there is so much information regarding these skills and time periods, authenticity is more likely to be expected. This type of organization is by no means limited to the United States, with cowboy groups active in Europe and Australia as well.

The American Civil War and Victorian Era  

The number of Civil War reenactors in the United States is massive, and their events can be on a grand scale, with a Battle of Gettysburg event rumored to have had over forty thousand reenactors and an even larger audience. Almost every state that was an official US state during the war, as well as Canada, has its own groups and regiments that specialize in Civil War reenactment. Authenticity is a must, so be prepared to invest in proper costuming, uniforms, and equipment. Encampments have everything from period cooking to specific medical equipment on display. Like the Revolutionary War events, these are largely open to the public for educational purposes, and participants are expected to know the specifics of their persona's life and job. Dances and music of the time may be performed as well. Some reenactors specialize in portraying central political and military figures of the time, doing school, museum, and encampment programs to educate and enrich reenactments.

Not all the world was at war during this time period, and Great Britain's Regency era and then the Victorian era, with their complex costumes and customs, have their own enthusiasts. While there are generally not large groups who do this regularly, aficionados of Victoriana sponsor gatherings and events at which people can enjoy period fun and finery. Charles Dickens–based holiday parties and Jane Austen balls are held everywhere from England to Australia, each tailoring its events to local interests. Numerous websites and even magazines address all the details of Victorian life.

The Twentieth Century  

Groups from around the world reenact both World Wars, as well as other military movements of the last century, such as the Vietnam War. Everything from trench warfare to pin-up girl photo shoots are held for those who want to relive or pay homage to these more recent events and time periods.

Living-History Museums  

Maybe you love history and would like to visit occasionally, but not invest as much time and money? Perhaps you prefer to travel, or wish to explore a variety of time periods? Living-history museums around the globe are a wonderful option for everyone. They provide the cultural experience of immersion with costumed "interpreters" who can answer questions and educate you about the era. Some of these museums rely on volunteers and provide opportunity for training and costuming. Many museums offer classes in a variety of arts, crafts, and methods of daily living, and some even offer special children's programs and summer camps, through which children can experience daily life in the time period.

Historical Reenactment & Living History for Fun vs. Profit

Can reenacting be profitable? Few people make a full-time living doing living history; however, there are business opportunities. Some enthusiasts become vendors in their area of expertise, creating an inventory from premade items or making items themselves. Costuming is without question a popular sales item, be it buckskins or a corset. These items are often created specifically for the reenactor and are usually more authentic and high quality than something from a costume store. Weaponry is the second most popular sales item, with everything from chain-mail shirts to black powder pistols being sold. Do you do handcraft work, blacksmithing, jewelry making, or wood carving? Are you a historian with specialized knowledge that you could present in a book or video? Becoming a vendor gives you the chance to go to many events and earn some profit, but even this is largely done for pleasure, as it is a large commitment of time, money, and effort.

Other means of making money as a reenactor involve working at a living-history museum as an interpreter of the time, doing educational presentations about your time period or a specific character from history, or hiring out as an entertainer for festivals and events such as historical holidays or Renaissance fairs.

Learning More

Organizations

General Reenacting Information

Historic-UK.com <http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/LivingHistory.htm>

Living History <http://www.livinghistory.co.uk>

Living History Association <http://www.livinghistoryassn.org>

Living History Worldwide <http://www.livinghistoryworldwide.com>

Reenactor.net <http://www.reenactor.net>

Era-Specific Information

Prehistory through the Roman Era:

Hoplite Association <http://www.hoplites.com>

Kelticos: Forum of Iron Age Studies and Prehistoric Europe <http://www.kelticos.org/forum/index.php>

Primitive Ways <http://www.primitiveways.com>

Roman Army Talk <http://www.romanarmytalk.com>

The Senate and People of Rome <http://www.romanempire.net>

World Atlatl Association <http://www.worldatlatl.org>

Middle Ages and Renaissance (including Renaissance Fairs and LARPing):

Association for Renaissance Martial Arts <http://www.thearma.org>

Directorie of Renaissance Faires <http://www.faires.com>

Live-Action Roleplaying <http://www.larp.com>

Renaissance Faire <http://www.renfaire.com>

Society for Creative Anachronism <http://www.sca.org>

Late 1600s through 1900 (not including the American Civil War):

American Revolution.org <http://www.americanrevolution.org>

Brigade of the American Revolution <http://www.brigade.org>

Coalition of Historical Trekkers <http://www.coht.org>

Colonial Living History Alliance <http://www.coloniallivinghistory.org/>

Gentlemen of Fortune <http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com>

Mountain Men and the Fur Trade <http://www.mtmen.org>

Nicole Kipar's Late Seventeenth-Century Clothing History <http://www.kipar.org>

Pirate Brethren <http://www.piratebrethren.com>

The American Civil War:

Annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment <http://www.gettysburgreenactment.com>

Civil War Reenactment HQ <http://www.reenactmenthq.com>

Shotgun's Home of the American Civil War <http://www.civilwarhome.com>

1900 and Onward:

WWII Historical Re-enactment Society <http://www.worldwartwohrs.org>

WWIIReenacting.co.uk <http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk>

Periodicals

Ancient Warfare Magazine <http://www.ancient-warfare.com>

Camp Chase Gazette <http://www.campchase.com>

The Compleat Anachronist <http://www.sca.org/ca>

Renaissance <http://www.renaissancemagazine.com>

Skirmish: Living History Magazine <http://skirmishmagazine.com>

Tournaments Illuminated <http://www.sca.org/ti>

Books

Cramer, Michael A. Medieval Fantasy as Performance: The Society for Creative Anachronism and the Current Middle Ages. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2010. Print.

Davis, William. The Civil War Reenactors' Encyclopedia. Guilford: Lyons, 2002. Print.

Danilov, Victor J. Living History Museums and Historic Sites in the United States. Jefferson: McFarland, 2010. Print.

Firstbrook, P. L. Surviving the Iron Age. London: BBC, 2003. Print.

Grenan, Shaun C. So You Want To Be a Soldier: How to Get Started in Civil War Re-enacting. Lynchburg: Schroeder, 2003. Print.

Magelssen, Scott. Living History Museums: Undoing History through Performance. Lanham: Scarecrow, 2007. Print.

O'Donnell, Patrick. The Knights Next Door: Everyday People Living Middle Ages Dreams. New York: iUniverse, 2004. Print.

Roth, Stacy F. Past into Present: Effective Techniques for First-Person Historical Interpretation. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 1998. Print.

Thompson, Jenny. War Games: Inside the World of Twentieth-Century Reenactors. Washington: Smithsonian, 2010. Print.