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The cost of ... re-enacting
a war
By Tamar Alexia Fleishman
• Bankrate.com
Taking part in historical re-enactments has become
a fast-growing pastime. Although the battles are now make-believe,
the competition at the higher levels of the hobby can be real, as
re-enactment groups try to out-authentic their peers. That means
more research, better reproduction gear -- and more modern dollars
spent chasing the look of the past.
The cost of being part of history can range from almost
nothing to thousands of dollars. A good way to think of the events
is to compare them to applying to colleges. Some time periods are
more popular than others and their organizations are more demanding
of its members. Some locations are more popular than others. Just
as not everyone wants to attend Harvard, not all people want or
need to be textbook perfect in their re-enactment hobby. Here is
an overview of the cost (in both "intense" and "low-key"
versions) of recreating a day in the past for one day in the present:
Civil War
In Civil War times, a sutler was a person who followed the army
and sold whiskey, medicine and trinkets to the soldiers. Today,
a large number of sutlery companies supply customers with historical
reproductions of Civil War items: clothing, tents, muskets, buckles,
shoes, boots, eyeglasses, swords, guns and more. Many of the items
can be ordered from companies that advertise on the Internet.
Intense version: Re-enacting war isn't hell, but it
can be expensive. Some re-enactment units are so historically accurate
in their appearance they have been used as extras in films such
as "Gettysburg" and "Gods and Generals." The
average cost of outfitting a Confederate or Union soldier is approximately
$400-$500. Many uniforms, especially those of officers, can run
over $1,200. A cap can cost you $89, a short jacket $250. The costs
stem from the attention to minute authentic details. For example,
authentic men's trousers are hand-sewn of regulation cloth from
a regulation pattern and regulation weight. There have been reports
of skirmishes over thread counts.
Men wishing to re-enact a cavalry soldier pay a particularly
high price. All horses on the battlefield have to be attired with
appropriate equipment. In addition to the expense of saddles, saddle
bags, blankets, and bridles, the owner also has to keep the horse
shod as well as owning a large truck and trailer for hauling. Cavalry
re-enactors often drive their horses all across the United States
to be a part a particular re-enactment.
Women also pay a fortune for dresses, corsets, hoops
and jewelry. That being said, most authentically intense re-enactment
groups advise, "buy the clothing first." The good news
is that when you do go to an event, the costs are low. If you camp
at the site, the cost would be your share of gas, food, and an event
registration fee that ranges from nothing to $10.
Low-key version: If you are willing to forego some
of the more popular battlegrounds, such as Gettysburg and Antietam,
you can find bargains in re-enacting that are just as fun. According
to the 17th Virginia Calvary Company F, which does re-enactments
in West Virginia, they do not pressure any new member to buy clothing
or weapons at the time they join. They have some extra uniforms
and weapons available to lend for short periods until the new member
can get their needed equipment. Another low cost option in West
Virginia is Lewis County's "Gold Dollar Days," re-enacting
the bank robbery that financed the newly formed state of West Virginia.
Last year's fees were $8 for a baked steak and cornbread dinner
with "President and Mrs. Lincoln" and $4 for admission
to a live bluegrass "ball."
Revolutionary War
Intense: If you wish to portray a redcoat or Royal Household Regiment,
your uniform and drill skills will have to be perfect, according
to the First Footguards of Massachusetts. They refuse to cut corners
and say that policy is typical of groups in their area. Jim Daniels
notes that the basic gear and equipment, including weaponry, for
a re-enactor portraying a Revolutionary-era soldier costs more than
that of a Civil War re-enactor. It's not uncommon for a re-enactor
to spend more than $5,000 invested on clothing and equipment. If
his portrayal requires additional gear (such as a surgeon would
have) the total may be twice that.
A female re-enactor of the 18th century can expect
to spend about half of what her male counterpart does.
Low key: Colonial re-enactment groups don't need to
be as perfect because most militias didn't have uniforms. One of
the keys to keeping expenses low is to keep mistakes to a minimum.
Research is crucial to ensure that the pieces you do get are authentic.
The Web site Longshot's
Rendezvous gives detailed instructions on constructing an "authentic"
Revolutionary period tent inexpensively.
Other time periods
Check around and you may find that your region's historic events
or ethnic ties are celebrated through re-enactment. Various California
groups re-enact the Gold Rush of 1849. America's oldest city, St.
Augustine, Fla., celebrates its founding with an annual re-enactment
of the Sept. 8, 1565 landing by Spanish Admiral Don Pedro Menendez
de Aviles. And if you like the idea of having an option between
authenticity (primitive pre-1840s dress, accommodations and gear)
and modern camping facilities, check out the many events held in
the Midwest and Ozark areas.
Wars aren't the only re-enactment games in town.
-- Posted: Nov. 12, 2002
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