I see there's going to be a reenactment at Rich Mountain, WV on the weekend of July 14-15, 2007. It sounds like it might be a little different from the event I attended last year!  

The link to the website is: www.richmountain.org

Are you trying to get my goat!  

I wuv you Bill   .

Quote :

Ken Cornett wrote : Are you trying to get my goat!

Nope,

Mainstream events can generate preservation funds too!

Actually might be a good topic of conversation. On average, individual CPH preservation events seem to generate more funds, but they normally only happen once, or maybe twice. Some of the mainstream preservation events are like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep going and going. Events like Perryville, Cedar Creek, and Neshaminy quickly come to mind. We could argue until the cows come home on where McDowell fits on the authenticity scale, but for this discussion, let's say it's a Mainstream event.

Over time, I wonder which class of event has actually contributed more cash to preservation?  

--Last edited by Bill on 2007-05-24 19:30:32 --

Just my 2cents   But with preservation in mind it doesn't matter how you play  (CPH  or Streamer) The end results is to raise $$$  I wish them all the best.  

--Last edited by Steven Cone on 2007-05-24 21:42:27 --

Quote :

Steven Cone wrote : Just my 2cents   But with preservation in mind it doesn't matter how you play

Steve,

Like you, I don't much care either. Rather than a discussion of CPH versus Streamer, I was more interested in a discussion of regularly scheduled events, versus one time efforts. How do you get the most bang for your buck?

The only reason I mentioned CPH and Mainstream events is that as a rule, the one time events are CPH, while the annual or semi-annual events are mainstream.

I understand Bill..: )

You probably get the most buck for your bang with payroll deduction.

Seems to me that one advantage of c/p/h events is that you can more easily raise awareness for sites that haven't had much attention in the past.  

The troops are more flexible, the logistics are simpler, and the presentation is more compelling.  That makes it easier to plant a seed and move on.  Mainstream events are more of a financial gamble.  Neshaminy's done well, apparently (thank you Bill), but what about Spottsylvania and Appomattox?

Of course, I'm just speculating.

For what it's worth, I'm glad I went to the other Rich Mountain.  

Quote :

Michael Schaffner wrote : You probably get the most buck for your bang with payroll deduction. The troops are more flexible, the logistics are simpler, and the presentation is more compelling.  That makes it easier to plant a seed and move on.  Mainstream events are more of a financial gamble.  Neshaminy's done well, apparently, but what about Spottsylvania and Appomattox? For what it's worth, I'm glad I went to the other Rich Mountain.

Mike,

I agree. A pure donation to battlefield preservation get's you the most bang for the buck. The problem is, while event organizers often have a preservation motovation, many of the participants do not. They are there for the reenactment, not the preservation.

I would also agree the big one-time, or every five years events like Spottsylvania or Appomattox are huge financial gambles. In these cases, it's much like a one time CPH event, with all the extra costs associated with a mainstream spectator event. It rains, the spectators don't show up and you've lost your shirt.

There's a big difference with the annual or semi-annual events. In most cases the land is free, many of the amenities are supplied free or at reduced cost. And most important, you've got a staff in place who have done the exact same event for a number of years. Not a lot reinventing the wheel goes on. The scenarios may change, but the logistics are pretty much set in concrete.

Neshaminy is the event I'm most familiar with. The event never generates a huge amount of funds, but it has generated funds every year for the past eighteen years. My guess is over time, Cedar Creek and Perryville have been the most sucessful fund raising events, followed by McDowell.

I'm not seeing a Paynes Farm or Rich Mountain type of event on the horizon this year. At least not on the eastern side of the big scary mountains. Did I miss something?

My schedule is pretty light in July of this year. To keep my fence sitting record in place, I may just attend this year's Rich Mountain. It's a beautiful location and a good cause.

 

Bill,

I encourage you to attend.  Actually Eric and I have talked about visiting the event as spectators.  Of course you know the mountain is off limits for the event.  The parking area is where the battle takes place.  

The folks at RM are wonderful people and they will treat you well.  I actually ran into Hunter Lesser (one of the two guides over the mountain and author of "Rebels at the Gate") and Rick Wolfe (President of the RM board) at the Mansfield show.  They are hoping our event will carry over some enthusiasm for this years mainstream event.  The two things Mess No.1 did do for the area was to bring awareness to an early war battle and it's area, and raise $15,000.  Every dollar towards preservation!  

I certainly hope they do well.  They occassionally break even on the annual event, but usually do not.  They do it for the people  because it is expected.  We've been asked many times to come back in five years, but we haven't decided.

Bill, if we do it again, we can't promise we won't drop knapsacks again   .

Quote :

Ken Cornett wrote : Bill, I certainly hope they do well.  They occassionally break even on the annual event, but usually do not.  They do it for the people  because it is expected.  We've been asked many times to come back in five years, but we haven't decided. Bill, if we do it again, we can't promise we won't drop knapsacks again   .

Ken,

What are they doing wrong? Not enough participants, fees too low, expenses too high?

You sort've made my point. Last year's Rich Mountain event made $15,000 in preservation funds, which is outstanding. Problem is, if you do the event only every five years, that's only $3,000 per year. If the past few years are a guide, Neshaminy will generate about $25,000 in the same period. McDowell has a much higher level of authenticity than the Neshaminy event, but they are still able to draw a good number of participants every other year.

Ken, in five years, I'll be sixty-six. I'm not sure I'll still be doing much mountain climbing by then!    

Quote :

I'm not seeing a Paynes Farm or Rich Mountain type of event on the horizon this year. At least not on the eastern side of the big scary mountains. Did I miss something?

Bill, if your July schedule is lacking, then consider 2nd Kernstown. Info is on the AC Forum.

Bill,

I just think it's the local area.  Kind of small scale.  Plus an interest has to be there.  It's a very left of the scale mainstream event, so it will be mostly local reenactors in WV.  They simply don't have the experience or the help of say your Neshaminy.  Probably lots of reasons...

As I have just registered for this site, thought I would reply to this thread. There will be a march from beautiful downtown Beverly to the top of Rich Mt. (5 miles more or less, hope you're in decent condition). $50 in donations will get you a spot in the march. I'm expecting the marchers to be a pretty small group of us, but if anyone that has previously wondered about coming to the event wants to come and help, this would be a good thing for the battlefield foundation.
BTW, they just acquired Camp Elkwater, slightly south of Huttonsville to interpret. The camp was used as the Federal base for operations after Rich Mt. Referred to a lot in Beatty's 3rd Ohio book.
Anyway, from our unit rep in the 1st WV, the march will start at 2:00 p.m. on Friday. If you need more info you might want to contact Chelley Depp at RMBF. The event(weekend) itself is a very mainstream event, nothing like last year's fine event, but we have some good guys and, as stated in another post, the area itself is beautiful.

Neil Randolph
1st WV

Quote :

nrandolph wrote :  There will be a march from beautiful downtown Beverly to the top of Rich Mt. (5 miles more or less, hope you're in decent condition). $50 in donations will get you a spot in the march. I'm expecting the marchers to be a pretty small group of us, but if anyone that has previously wondered about coming to the event wants to come and help, this would be a good thing for the battlefield foundation. Neil Randolph 1st WV

Neil,

Information, information! Web site? Mailing address to send money/registration?

Info for Rich Mt. Phone 304-637-RICH, website www.richmountain.org, mailing address RMBF reenactment, PO Box 227, Beverly, WV 26253. Registration will be fifteen dollars at this point. The info I have says that you cannot walk-on unless you're a memebr of a pre-registered unit, but I think if there are some high quality folk that show that won't be a problem, just let them know I encouraged you to come...not that I'm some all powerful poobah, it'll just help you, maybe.
Now the march on Friday is a different problem and I'd advise contacting Chelley as there has no been great communication on this part of the event. That said, I'd sure be glad to see anyone come and help out the RMBF!

Neil Randolph
1st WV

Exchanged e-mails with Chelley yesterday. The march will start at 2 p.m. on this Friday from the visitors center in Beverly. Hope some of you can come!

Neil Randolph
1st WV