BS: Re-enactors?

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 11:37 PM

Once a month the National Park where I work holds a living history day. We strive to turn back the digital watch to 1901, and re-enact life aboard a square-rigger, a coastal schooner, and a ferryboat. We have a number of loyal volunteers who have gone through a docent training program, and have worked on developing characters. A few of the Park Rangers, myself included, are involved with this program. There is a sail furling demonstration, complete with a ship's master barking orders to a mate, who in turn barks orders to a crew, there's a cook in a working historic galley, several other characters - and I do mean characters - and demonstrations. I play a fiddler and chanteyman (how did you guess?) aboard the square-rigger. I first called myself "Matthew Robertson," a composite figure denoting an American born man of Scottish ancestry who learned fiddle from his father. One day, another re-enactor introduced me to visitors as "O.K. Pete." It sounded like a name from an old hollywood bad western at first, but when I thought about it, it made sense. Sailors were often nicknamed by other crew members, so I changed my character name, and made up a story about how when I first worked aboard a ship, I was given my first command from a mate, and instead of answeing "Aye!" I answered "O.K." I got a rap on the head for it, and forever after, the crew called me "O.K. Pete."

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Hobie
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 09:26 PM

I got involved in buckskinning in about 94 got tired of sitting around drinking and throwing tomahawks and got in volved with other people- now mostly i protray a muscisian/scholar in the mid 18th to early 19th.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Ely
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 08:22 PM

My brother got us into American Civil War reenacting in 1991 (13th United States Infantry, Company A--"First at Vicksburg!"). He and I were also part of an Explorer Scout troop that did Texas Republic (1836-1845) stuff. He's also done some World War I and World War II on his own (hoopskirts are bad enough--I'm not dying my legs and drawing stocking seams up the back).

I've faded out of it--I'd like to keep it up but college interferes with my traveling freedom. Besides, there just isn't much to do if you're a girl and the rest of the Ladies' Auxiliary are only there to make sure their husbands don't buy any more guns.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 05:21 PM

One nice thing about the SCA is that it's not tied exclusively to warfare.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: wildlone
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 03:45 PM

Lonesome EJ, I have taken part in a few battles on original sites, I usually try to talk to members of the public that come to these events and explain what life would be like at the time. As for play acting in this country the various groups on the whole are very serious in what they do and have been instrumental in setting up monuments on various sites.
I think the most atmospheric site I have been to must be Roundway Down near Devizes where the Parlimentary Cavalry on being driven of the feild of battle jumped a hedge to find a 100 to 200 foot drop on the other side, a contempory account stated that the locals could here the cries and moans coming from the mound of dead and dieing men and horses for many days and that they would not go near for years as it was haunted.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 03:17 PM

I've been in the SCA, to a greater or lesser extent since 1979. Troll, are you Lord Ian MacIan from Ostgard? My sympathies, Clinton Hammond, I have a similar problem around here. Maybe it's endemic in Midrealm and formerly Midrealm groups. I always thought that the SCA was where science fiction fanatics joined, on the deluded assumption that they were getting a life. Actually, regarding folkies and SCAdians, I've always found the SCAdians to be rather dull and predictable in comparison. If you can make it down to Aethelmarc War Practice next May, or Pennsic War in August, let me know. Lady Tuiren de Childgrove

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Timehiker
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:02 PM

I started out with an 1870's Cavalry unit in 1979. Got into the 1830's fur trade/rendezvous for a while. Then I joined the Napoleonic Association in Europe around 1984. That's when I started really getting into the historic music end of it. Back in the States, I fooled around with the Civil War folks long enough to learn that that era isn't my cup of tea. Then I started researching the American colonial period and Revolution. I started doing living history demonstrations for schools, boy scouts, and the like. Now I'm retired from the Army and belong to both a French and Indian War militia, and a Revolutionary War regiment, Preston's Augusta County (Virginia) Rangers, and the VIIth Virginia, respectively. I also belong to the Coalition of Historical Trekkers. I'm currently finishing up a degree in history and work at a living history park, The 1611 Citie of Henricus, site of the second successful English settlement in America. I work in both the Powhatan Indian Village, and the English Citie. I guess you could say I'm in it up to my neck.

Take Care,
Timehiker

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: kimmers
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:40 PM

I was involved in the SCA from about 1988 to about 1991. I gave it up partly because of time, partly because I never was comfortable in my persona, and partly because our local chapter was just a little too strange for me.

As of this summer, I have become involved in Civil War re-enacting and this suits me much better. I enjoy the American folk music and the educational aspects (and the funny clothes), and my husband (usually an utter pacifist) gets a kick out of playing soldier. I never ever thought we'd have a firearm of any kind in our house...

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:00 PM

I am curious about how re-enactors feel about re-creating battles on the original battlefield. This aspect of re-enactment bothers me a bit when,for example,individuals play-act war upon fields that,I feel,were consecrated by those who actually fought and died there.This is common in my country during battle anniversaries of Civil War engagements.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Charcloth
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:54 PM

I do pre 1840 type stuff but I am not associated with any group. I dress as a Scottish emigrant & also have been doing somee Ren. type events. My partner & I perform mostly period material for these events.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Wavestar
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:38 PM

I'm another SCAdian, and my persona is Iscah de Merlis, a Venetian merchant's daughter from late 1400's, mostly involved in Bardic and cooking. I also do LARP, occasionally, but it's not really re-enactment of anything except insanity.

Clinton Hammond, where in Canada are you exactly? I'm being nosy, and feel free to PM me with the answer, but I know several people involved with the SCA near Toronto, and they might be able to get you involved with some more, umm... less Star-trek like? But I prefer groups that take themselves less seriously, myself.

-J

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Rollo
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 07:25 PM

Sometimes I have the feeling expecially the Viking Reenactors here in Germany are just insane, and the MiddleAges groups shelter a lot of maniacs, too. They don't take it easy enough. To let go Jesus in order to worship old Thor, and this in ernest... or to hack each other with steel axes and afterwards proudly tell that only the helm prevented them from losing their nose after fumbling a clash... or to draw the blade and attempt to run down another juggler because he seemes not "original" enough, but tried to have commercial success... Such Scenes seem only too common with certain groups.

But there are others. I enjoy having historical scenarios in LiveActionRolePlays, we allready had some Viking LARPs, MiddleAges Tournaments, a Musketeer Live, and next summer we will have our first Western Live. We handle polstered "plastic" weapons, but it's okay for me.

Also dear friends of mine have founded the Reenactment Group "Keines Herren Knechte", performing a german Late Middle Ages Pikes and Artillery lance. I like to spend time with them and I hope to attend service as a chaplain for them next season.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Rex
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 05:21 PM

I take part in events from the fur trade, the Mexican-American War, the War between the States (so as not to be confused with other civil wars), the indian wars and the end of the 19th century. Military or civilian. I do wood working and metal working trades and or course the music that makes it all complete.

Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 03:04 PM

SCA in 1983 and 1984. Loosely associated with buckskinners since 1992.

Military re-enactments are too regimented and I have a deep seated aversion to wearing anything resembling a uniform.

Love to visit them though.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: wildlone
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 02:59 PM

Joined the Sealed Knot in 1969/70 Sir Alexander Pophams regt as a pike man later musqueteer , In 1972 the Roundhead Association split with the SK, regt changed to Sir Nicholas Devereux's regt. I left for a while and rejoined Sir William Sydenhams regt as a Pikeman later Ensign, I now belong to the 23rd Royal Welch as a pioneer.
Also Hon member of the Chepstowe Garrison and St Pierre houshold. I love living history and have taken part in most periods events.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 02:53 PM

I'd be involved with the SCA if the local chapter wasn't full of losers and goof-offs... These people make Star Trek fans look like Gap commercials!

Maybe one day I'll live in a big enough centre to have a good SCA group to join...

I really miss the feasts...

{~`

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Cobble
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 02:38 PM

Cobble and I were involved with the Sealed Knot ( English Civil War) from 1975-1989. They were great times and we sill have cotact with great friends we made. Mrs. Cobble

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Jim Krause
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 02:26 PM

I got started as a Union cavalryman with the 4th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, Co. C from 1986-90. Dropped out for a few years, then discovered I missed the smell of campfire smoke, singing around the fire, and all the tall tales. Got involved with Friends of Fort Osage about '94 and have been having a good time there ever since. Fort Osage is a pre 1820 frontier military/fur trade fort on the Missouri River.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 12:56 PM

Fifer, 3rd Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry Field Music (Fife & Drum Corps). Active (less so recently) since 1991. I also serve as occasional unit Armorer / Ordnance Pvt. with Co. "A" of the 3rd, our primary Infantry impression. During downtime, I serve as informal camp Minstrel with banjo, guitar, and tin whistle.

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:35 AM

I've been involved in Civil War re-enacting since 1995. I re-enact as a Union Infantryman with Company A, 12th United States Infantry. I don't recreate an actual historical figure from the regiment, rather I portray an Irish born career soldier. Kindest reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: jeffp
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:29 AM

I did American Civil War from 1983 to about 1991, all of it as a Confederate infantryman, most as chaplain.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Kim C
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:47 AM

Mister and I have been Civil War reenactors since 1995, have done some 1840s and "pre-1840" as well. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: Troll
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:31 AM

I'm active in the Society for Creative Anachronism.As Ld. Iain MacIsaac MacIain, an 11th cent.Scot/Norse from the Hebrides and Western Scotland (Alba) I am one of the oldest active fighters in the SCA. At present I also have an alternate persona, (only for wars) Ion Thalassios, a warrior of Sparta.
I've also done CW, Rev War, WWII, and 1740 Spanish in Florida.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Re-enactors?
From: John P
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:17 AM

I was in the Society for Creative Anachronisms from 1981 until about 1986 or so. That's also when I first got into traditional folk music, so most of my early influences (Alan Stivell, John Renbourn, Malicorne, Steeleye Span, Kornog) were supplied to me by people in funny costumes.

John

Subject: Re-enactors?
From: The Walrus at work
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:03 AM

A quick question. How many 'Catters are/were involved in Re-enactment/Living History?
What period(s) are you involved in?
I suppose I'd better start the ball rolling:-
I started in the Napoleonic Association back in 1974/5 and was a regular member until about 1985 then became more "loosly" involved until about 1995.
I spent a few years of the early/mid 1980's in the English Civil War Society.
Since 1984 I've been involved with the Great War Society, more L/H than Re-enactment.

Anyone else?

Regards

Walrus