I used to reenact a little before I got married, but now I have a nerdy husband and two beautiful baby girls (1 and 5 months) I live in GA and would love to know if anyone is still re-enacting! Back in my "single days" I was just a civilian lower-class since I myself can't afford to make silk and linen fancy dresses (fabric is expensive haha!) I'm having to sew all of my gear in my new postpartum size so I'm basically starting from scratch. I'm also making my husband and girls' some civilian clothing. My husband is a firefighter in "real life" and is interested in portrayi a firefighter from the era (if there were any in America at that time) but we're not sure where to start the research for his gear. I really hope this community is still alive!

Hello. Can anyone suggest a source for a used reproduction 50 caliber, 3 band Enfield rifle? It is difficult to find them online for less than $1000 and appear to be on indefinite backorder. Any help would be very helpful. Thank you.

After a two-year hiatus we're bringing back our annual Beverly Heritage Days event at the Beverly Heritage Center in Beverly, West Virginia on July 23rd. We've already got some reenactors signed up representing Civil War, WW1, and WW2 soldiers plus an abolitionist preacher and a coal miner, but we're glad to have more reenactors. Anything relevant to WV history is welcome. You even get a free meal for signing up!

Living Historians and Reenactors from 1750 through 1950 are invited to join the Beverly Heritage Center for our timeline heritage event to share the history of settlement, conflict, and daily life in the Tygart Valley. For 2022, we will be tying together stories through the town and the centuries with activities for visitors to participate.

Beverly, West Virginia was the original county seat of Randolph County, and was a crucial crossroads through settlement, Civil War and 20th Century history. Located 6 miles south of Elkins along US Rt 219, Beverly is an active heritage tourism destination with town historic district, Rich Mountain Battlefield, and multiple museums and shops anchored by the Beverly Heritage Center. Beverly Heritage Days is our primary heritage event of the year.

Living history camps will include 18th, 19th, and 20th century eras with scenarios welcome for any part of our timeline, military and civilian. Living history, first person impressions, demonstrations, presentations, displays, and heritage crafts are all welcome.

See http://www.beverlyheritagecenter.org/calendar/events/BevHeritDays2022/2022%20Beverly%20Heritage%20Days%20Reenactor%20Handout.pdf for registration form or more info.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Does anyone know a good place to buy authentic patterns and material for making their own uniforms? I'd love to try making my own to save money for my hobby

So my father and I have been saving money up to get into Civil War reenacting. He is doing the 5th New York, and I wanted to do the Louisiana Tigers, but I can not find a group that I can get in contact with that does the Tigers. Does anyone know where I could find a group?

Does anyone know of a good reproduction. Not that I plan on bringing spirits at the next reenactment but you know just in case.

Hi! I'm the host of Vexillum, a podcast that explores the history, culture, and ideas surrounding flags.

My next episode is focusing on how flags are made, basically how they were produced, both historically and in modern times, such as the materials that were used and now are being used, how flags were put together(sown or otherwise), the supply chains involved in the creation of flags, and the controversial aspects of flag production(such as China's production of flags, or U.S. prisoners' creating them).

I have some information about how the materials and methods U.S. flags were made historically, but I wanted to know more about how other countries made flags at that time, and how flags are made in general, before the Industrial Revolution/rise of plastics. So, does anyone have any info/how where to look?

Does anyone have one?

Does anyone know of Joslyn's Notes On Military Etiquette? It has a passage that states to respond to any order from superiors, be they nco or commissioned officer with "yes, sir". I need to know if this is proper. I am a Corporal in my reenactor unit

I was wondering if anyone of you guys are here i was thinking about joining and dont know where to start

Maybe there isn't one but I can't seem to find a unit near me on Google. Could someone help me out please?

Hello! I am working on a photo project where I am photographing people in their job and their passion. I am looking for a reenactor who's passion is reenacting and has a job unrelated to history or the reenacting itself. If you're interested or know someone who is, please let me know :)

I'm curious as to how different people find thier way into the hobby. As for myself when I was in high school my family went to a reenactment and my mom up and volunteered me for a unit.

They accepted me in, loaned me a uniform and musket and let me participate in the battle the next day. They were farbs though and I eventually found a teacher at my school that led a more authentic group and I started falling in with them.

Alright so officially the reenacting that I do is not technically the Civil War proper. But rather an event that takes place during the same time frame. I I am a historical interpreter for the national parks in the state of Washington in the Pacific Northwest. Here where I live we have a very unique event that took place at the time of the American Civil War Between the United States and Great Britain. This has become known as the pig War. It was a boundary dispute between an archipelago of Islands located in the Northwestern corner of the state of Washington off the border of Canada. The islands in question are known as the San Juans. These islands became a significant source of contention between the United States and Great Britain.

TLDR the killing of a Berkshire boar buy an American Settler sparked off an event which spiraled and snowballs out of control before it nearly resulted in a third war against Great Britain. Now thankfully some cooler heads prevailed. But from 1859 to 1872 the islands became jointly occupied by the United States military and the British Royal Marines. A recent archaeological survey has discovered that at one point during the occupation the American Military have the Allen conversion rifle up here. I have been searching high and low for a reproduction of one of these weapons. But have never been able to find one. I've been considering purchasing a regular reproduction Springfield rifle perhaps in 1861 or 1863 and simply taking it to a gunsmith and having it modified. But if I can cut out the middleman and just simply get the reproduction weapon I would be happy. It doesn't have to be firing. I already have three muskets for that. If anybody knows where I can get a Springfield Allen conversion reproduction then please tell me. Also if anyone knows where I can get some dummy ammunition for said weapon I would be grateful.

Side note. Also looking for a Harpers Ferry rifle. Better known by many as the Mississippi rifle. But the Allen conversion is my primary target for the time being. If anyone knows where I can get one please tell me. Thank you for your time and for any assistance you may render. If you live in the Pacific Northwest and are interested we could always use more volunteers. Look us up on the National Park Service website for San Juan Island in Washington. Perhaps I will see you this summer.

Does anyone know the best deal for an accurate reproduction fife online? I have seen several options but I do not know which is best for price vs quality vs accuracy.

Me and my buddy have always been keen on history and let me say I really enjoy all the money and work you guys put into reenacting.

That being said, we recently came across recipes and stories about pemmican and were immediately curios to know more.

Making it yourself doesn't sound crazy hard but I think we want to buy it from someone who knows what they are doing the first time we try it.

I've seen few different products on different websites, some even with the traditional bison meat and blueberries which I understand may be more authentic to what pioneers and Native American would have eaten? Who makes good pemmican these days and which products are good?

Also thinking about trying to maybe make some hoosh with some of it. Good idea?

I moved down here not to long ago and need to find some reenactments down here. I have all of my own equipment. If anyone knows of any please let me know

Hello all! I’m a first time poster here and I am moving into my apartment in College Park, MD soon and I am super interested in the civil war re-enactment culture! I found a really high quality CS uniform replica at a local antique shop and it got me wondering if I should pull the trigger and join up! I’m really into American history and it’s something that excites me. The only problem is that I have no idea who to talk to or where to begin so that why I’ve come here!

Thanks!

Looking to do some living history presentations on Civil War era medicine and struggling to find reproductions of apothecary kits, battlefield surgery kits, etc. Any help would be appreciated!