I happen to have a fascination with the 19th Century. My wife reckons my re-enacting friends and I very likely lived through the period in a previous life. Been a Civil War period re-enactor since 1991 with the American Civil War Historical Re-enactment Society based in Southern Ontario. Members portray, as accurately as possible, a Southern unit..10th Louisiana, two Federal impressions, 49th New York and 10th Iowa and our artillery group swing both ways. We also have a medical group and several civilians. Playing music around the campfire led to three of us becoming an active band playing music of the time and also 1840's and 1850's. Going down to play at Fort Branch, North Carolina next weekend. We just don't re-enact war but the whole time period. Research and authenticity are important and it's a great feeling to teach a group of kids their own heritage through Living History. And it is SO much fun !