All,

I would love to hear your opinions on Living Histories.  What I mean by Living Histories are events at museums or parks that are setup to mainly interactions with the public.   Depending on the space available, I will usually lay out my equipment and talk with the public about the equipment and gear the soldiers would carry with them.  
My reenacting unit in the past has setup displays dealing with weapons and Army paper work (Schaffners in my unit so we have to do paper work displays.)   I’m sorry Mike, but you know I like to picking on you even if you’re like an older brother to me.  A much older brother but a brother just the same!  

The one thing that I always come up against is we have to fire the muskets at these events or have to have a skirmish.  I have no problem with weapons firing demonstration but think that LH should not revolve around them.  I can not stand the skirmishing that are done at some events and have been trying to stop them at one event I attend.  The main reason the organizers don’t want to stop it is because they say that’s what the public wants.   I don’t think that’s the case and think having a company drill and even go through the different ways a company commander can have his man fire their weapons would be better.

The problems I see with living histories are the following:
- Reenactors just sitting around ignoring the spectators.(I’m guilt of this myself)
- Confusing the public with skirmishes (I’ve had the public ask after a skirmish if we were portraying a battle that happened at the park.)
- Reenactors drilling with out a person explain to the public what happening or why something is being done.
- I can not think of anything else at this time but will add some more if I do.  

Greetings Mark,
I agree with your comments and problems with "Living Histories".
I am moving toward a more public voice for my unit.(the 6th Ohio)
As I am the commissary sgt.(which means I command the coffee pot.) And I am a little on the old side and cannot march as well as the youngsters, I can talk to the crowd. I am not afraid of "People" and I like the inter action with the spectaters.
You are right, someone needs to explain to the folks what is going on.  
I do a mess impression and a ration display at small events.
The bigger ones I am usually busy with meals.
At one of our latest events I loaned my Enfield to a fresh fish. He fired it in a mock skirmish and some drilling. And he was in all the pictures and not me. I had to take my enfield home and clean it and I never even got to fire it.


Your Obedient Servant, Comm. Sgt. Dan Girton , Co. A , 6th OVI

Mark,

I love Living History events. Probably my favorite type of reenactment. I'm a "Ham" and love to hear myself talk! When I'm talking to spectators, I try to stick with the topics I'm most knowledgeable about. I'm not afraid to say I don't know and to make sure they know when I'm giving them an opinion, not fact. IMHO, the worst sin a reenactor can commit is to make up stuff if they don't know the answer, or to say the various Farbisims the spectator may see, are "how it was".

I think shooting is an important part of most LH's. It's been my experience that's one thing the spectators always remember. I agree with Mark that it's important to have a good speaker available to explain what's going on to our guests and why Civil War soldiers fought the way they did.

I love doing Living History at Spangler's Spring in Gettysburg. It's an out of the way site and you often get very knowledgable vistors. Hardly anybody asks if our uniforms are hot or if that is a real fire!  

Bill or anyone really,

Don't get me wrong but I would take a LH over a reenactment any day.  I love talking with the general public about the ACW.  What do you think would be good ideas or a way to get organizers not to concentrate on skirmishes?

In the old 83rd PVI when we were younger, we did not do any skirmish at a LH. We had times setup for firing demo, bayonet drill(does take practice before hand) skirmish drill, marching drill.

In camp the life of the soldier was explained etc, plus I think the public enjoys it since they can talk to the reenactors and have their questions answered.

Civilian LHs are good also showing the US Sanitary Commission, Hospital life etc.

I have also learned about a spectators ancestor in the civil war or have been shown artifacts from the public.

Put motion in your LH's, where, spectators can expect you to be at "x" for a scheduled amount of time. Working in conjunction with the CWPT and the NPS I have been lucky enough to attend several of these kind of events where we marched from place to place and showed up at point "x" to do an intrepetive program for the NPS or CWPT and then camped for the night or moved on to do another. The 'taters get a good impression what soldiers on campaign really looked like(and smell like), how they lived and camped, what they did at a particular location, and you don't have to SOYA for hours on end doing nothing. Some say you're not a real re'nactor until you've baked at 100 degrees by the PA monument for 48 hours, I really don't like that "intrepretive" SOYA place. School programs are well, waaaay more fun. Schools love folks who will do things for free and they often feed you.

I enjoy living histories also, I find it is a chance to interact with the public.  Our unit has a couple each year.

We typically will set up a company street or depending on how many people we have at the event, an example of the living quarters (wedge tent, shelter half, no canvas).  

Most of our living histories will have a drill demonstration, and possbily a firing demonstration.  We try to have 1 person who is available to talk to the public as we are doing these.  Also we have found that kids and even some adults will remember more than just the firing.  If you give them a chance for some hands on experience.  With some of the kids we will take a spare coat and put it on them, and then a set of leathers and maybe a bedroll or knapsack and let them feel the weight of it.  

We also will schedule times for a kids drill, and have them form up and march off and do some drill.  We did a living history out in Landis Valley (Lancaster) where some of the kids from the first drill stayed on and drilled all day long.

We like a place where we can setup a picket or guard post and talk to the public as they enter the camps.  Again at Landis we had worked it out with the wagon drivers that they would stop the wagon near our camp and we would talk to the public on the wagons before sending them off.

I think making sure you have some different things going on in camp helps keep it interesting.  No one wants to see a dozen guys sleeping or sitting there picking their noses..  They want to see what soldiers did when they weren't fighting.  So having 1-2 guys asleep is fine, someone cooking rations,someone cleaning a weapon or bayonet, someone writing a letter home.. or getting a chance to read a letter from home.  Asking a visitor to read the letter.  If near a town, dealing with teh town boys who are curious about the soldiers.

I agree with Bill, the biggest thing is making sure that you tak to the public and answer their questions, and if you don't know.. they say so.  Don't make stuff up.  

Somewhat along these same lines, I have been intrigued by the depth of the questions that consistently come from the spectators at one event contrasted against the shallowness of the same from other places.  There is one place we go in the panhandle of Florida where you better have your act together if you are the designated talker for your group.  The questions those people ask are head and shoulders above what you normally get.  But on the other hand, there was another place where this fine gentleman, who was not drunk and was quite serious, proceeds to tell me about his great, great grandfather who was in the Civil War.  This was not a quick recitation on his part.  When this scholar finally comes to the end of his glowing account, he looks over at me and asks, “You didn’t by any chance meet him, did you?“

Quote :

Curtis Makamson wrote : Somewhat along these same lines, I have been intrigued by the depth of the questions that consistently come from the spectators at one event contrasted against the shallowness of the same from other places.  There is one place we go in the panhandle of Florida where you better have your act together if you are the designated talker for your group.  The questions those people ask are head and shoulders above what you normally get.  But on the other hand, there was another place where this fine gentleman, who was not drunk and was quite serious, proceeds to tell me about his great, great grandfather who was in the Civil War.  This was not a quick recitation on his part.  When this scholar finally comes to the end of his glowing account, he looks over at me and asks, “You didn’t by any chance meet him, did you?“

Curtis,

How old are you?

I was a mere lad while traipsing about on a scenic walking tour of the quaint little hills of the DMZ in the former Republic of South Vietnam.  Yes, Bill,  I did  a most authentic and hard core infantry impression.  Earlier than that is a vivid memory of the first television that was unloaded and carried into a dwelling in the town where we lived.  It had a massive console with a little bitty screen.  Added to that is I received grades on penmanship while learning to wield a fountain pen in the second grade.  In spite of those things, I did not quite make the cut for the Civil War.  I‘m 62.  

I just couldn't resist this topic since my wife & I are more what you'd describe as historical interpreters and our primary focus is on conducting programs for the general public. We actually haven't participated in a "reenactment" for quite a few years. That said, as "living histories" go, there are undoubtedly good ones and there are some stinkers. A few of you mentioned the typical problems, particularly those related to how we react to the 'taters. Folks who don't want to interact and share their knowledge with the public simply shouldn't attend events where the emphasis is on "educating" the masses. A properly organized and staffed living history can be an excellent opportunity for the general public to come and actually learn some historical facts (hopefully :-) )from those who should be presenting such things in a way that should be much easier for them to understand. Of course, at such events, every effort should also be made to insure the public sees a fairly reasonably historically accurate portrayal. Some of my own complaints about these type of events has mostly to do with the careless of reenactors/interpreters in what they "show" and what they "tell." The whole skirmish thing is also pretty lame and should be avoided at living histories, while a proper demonstration of weapons being fired can be very informative and also give the 'taters the "oooooo" and "ahhhhhh" factor (kind'a like fireworks). Living histories are such wonderful venues for, as Marc note, offering up presentations on things other than just the typical infantry fare: USSC, USCC, general Civilian, Medical, Ordnance, Quartermaster, Commissary, Signal, Navy & Marine, etc., etc. They are also great opportunities for us to take a little time and learn what we can from one another.
Respectfully,  

--Last edited by BobWerner on 2008-07-17 16:55:21 --

I'm a civilian  with the 6th OVI and when I do living history what I do is  a clothes line for woman's clothing.
It has everything from underpinnings to what we wear in summer and winter outerware.
Both women and men are intrested in what a woman wore from the inside out  in the 1860's.
I also bring childrens toys of the period, there is always a child wenting to play with the toys.
If there is many LH ladies to attend we all sit under a fly or tree  and do neddle work, drop  spinning of wool, reading poems, or trying to practice our first person. People are always intrested in what we are doing.
By the way we are having a LH at Battery Hooper in Covington,Ky. (Ft. Wright) just across the river from Cincinnati,OH. on Aug. 16-17th.
Everyone's welcome to attend. They feed the vol.well.

The Ky. Girl,
Judy B.

Quote :

Judy Biedenharn wrote: By the way we are having a LH at Battery Hooper in Covington,Ky. (Ft. Wright) just across the river from Cincinnati,OH. on Aug. 16-17th. Everyone's welcome to attend.

Hi Judy, I'm really interested in doing this event since my great grandfather was at Battery Coombs.  In fact, just this past spring Dan DiOrio at Battery Hooper went with us up the hill.  I have copies of original letters from my great great grandfather to his son.  I'd love to talk to you about this event.  Could you please send me your contact info?

Thanks,

Linda.
lindatrent@zoomnet.net

Quote :

Curtis Makamson wrote : I was a mere lad while traipsing about on a scenic walking tour of the quaint little hills of the DMZ in the former Republic of South Vietnam.  Yes, Bill,  I did  a most authentic and hard core infantry impression.   I‘m 62.

Curtis,

I was an old man of twenty-five, when I made the trip to the land of the pop-up, shoot back targets. You and I are the same age.

I know my military experience colors what I tell spectators. If you've been in the military, it gives you a better feeling of where the Regulations end and common sense begins.

Mark,

For the most part, I enjoy Living Histories far more than battle reenactments.

I agree that skirmishes should not be done when both the numbers and the location do not lend themselves to having one.  Not much looks worse than six soldiers in grey firing at 3 soldiers in blue and calling it a battle or skirmish!  I do, however, think that firing demos can be great.  At the museum which I have worked and volunteered, I find that visitors love to see the weapons, how they are loaded and how they look and sound when fired.  Even five rifles can give visitors a chance to see the amount of smoke and noise that might be produced in an actual battle.

I find the best thing to do at LHs is to lay out a gear display showing what an average foot soldier carries.  Many people like asking what certain items are or trying to guess their use.  One on one interactions with visitors can be rewarding for both visitor and reenactor/interpreter.

I like the idea of having equipment available for kids or adults to try on and get photos or just see what it was like to wear all the items at once.  One company I used to fall in with created a small arms display which was always crowded with visitors.  This company portrayed a sharpshooter company so they had quite an array of weapons to show.  Even the seemingly boring paperwork of the army seems to attract attention of visitors.  I was amazed to see a certain clerk surrounded by a number of women as he showed off his period pens and mechanical pencil.

I guess the important thing is for the reenactor to be approachable and flexible with his/her impression.

Enough rambling for now!

Quote :

Even the seemingly boring paperwork of the army seems to attract attention of visitors.  I was amazed to see a certain clerk surrounded by a number of women as he showed off his period pens and mechanical pencil.

I have to thank Kevin for the display of target rifles.  All the guys hung out there and their wives and girlfriends were left bored with nothing to do.  Fearing the resulting potential for discord in their relationships, I rose from behind my desk and endeavored to keep the ladies entertained.

Sometimes all that paperwork pays off.

  Hallo!

 Just as an aside, and not an attempt to hijack the thread..

 IMHO, I find it interesting that "living history" is being used to describe "talks" or "presentations" to/with the Public- rather than immersion or projection events/functions where there are no Public and the purpose is to "live (verb) the history" for oneself and one's comrades.

  Again, just an observation, not a negative or criticism...

  If I went to a "living history" that was a talk/presentation to/with the Public, and not an element of immersion, projection, or the "Time Warp" for us with no Public... I would be "disappointed."

  Curt

Quote :

Curt Schmidt wrote :   Hallo!  Just as an aside, and not an attempt to hijack the thread..     If I went to a "living history" that was a talk/presentation to/with the Public, and not an element of immersion, projection, or the "Time Warp" for us with no Public... I would be "disappointed."   Curt

Curt,

I think most of us understand the term "Living History" as having a spectator componet. Most of us would understand the term "Immersion" as being a non-spectator "Time Warp" type event. In my mind, "Winter '64" was in that category.  

Quote :

Curt Schmidt wrote :If I went to a "living history" that was a talk/presentation to/with the Public, and not an element of immersion, projection, or the "Time Warp" for us with no Public... I would be "disappointed."

Yes, on a similar note, I've always disliked the concept of "battles" vs. "living histories," as if at events where there's a battle you're not supposed to try to relive history.

And to me, a person in a costume giving a modern talk explaining historic things isn't living history at all, it's a historian in funny clothes.

To me, "living history" has always meant trying to portray the past, either for the benefit of others who aren't also obligated to do it ("interpreting to the public") or among others who are trying to do the same thing ("immersion events"). You might fight a battle, you might interact with spectators as if they're your neighbors or visitors, or you might just go about daily life with others doing the same--whatever the premise and the historic situation calls for.

I understand there's a social phenomenon called a "Civil War living history," where there's a recognized set of things that occur: People set up tents and somebody sets up a table with a display or somebody else lays out their stuff and does a haversack talk, a woman talks about clothes, modern stuff is brought but hidden except when somebody brags to the public about how cleverly they've hidden theirs, soldiers drill and fire a cannon at specified hours, there are vendors selling a mix of period and modern things, there may be unrelated carnival-type activities or amplified old timey music or non-reenactor craftsmen. There's a lot of shopping and sitting around. After hours the pretense of doing things historically is scaled back as much as possible until the public comes back...

I know there's a million events like that all across the country every year, and they must be what the majority of reenactors want, and perhaps what the majority of the public does too, or perhaps the public just hasn't been trained to expect anything more.

But it's a shame that that's all "living history" has come to mean, for most people. I think there's so much more potential. We've got the original interactive virtual reality, if we'd just use it to its utmost.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Quote :

hanktrent wrote :   I understand there's a social phenomenon called a "Civil War living history," where there's a recognized set of things that occur: People set up tents and somebody sets up a table with a display or somebody else lays out their stuff and does a haversack talk, a woman talks about clothes, modern stuff is brought but hidden except when somebody brags to the public about how cleverly they've hidden theirs, soldiers drill and fire a cannon at specified hours, there are vendors selling a mix of period and modern things, there may be unrelated carnival-type activities or amplified old timey music or non-reenactor craftsmen. There's a lot of shopping and sitting around. After hours the pretense of doing things historically is scaled back as much as possible until the public comes back...

Hank,

We will be attending such an event tomorrow, at the Gruber Wagon Works, in conjunction with the Berks County Heritage Center. It's their annual "Step Back in Time" event. We'll have a few tents set up and do a a number of drill and firing demonstrations, along with a lot of soldier life presentations. There will be most of the other thing going on that you mentioned, along with homemade ice cream, which is almost worth the trip! During my down time, I get a kick out of watching some of the craftsmen at work. I wish they had the resources to actually start making wagons again!  

We owe these folks, since they allow us the use of their facilities for our meetings and drills. The spectators always seem to have a good time and hopefully they learn something about our period.

I'm one of those folks who enjoy the living histories, designed for the spectators, where we get down time in the evening. I find it a very nice way to spend a weekend.