How to Be a Part of Civil War Reenactments
Civil War reenactments began as a way to commemorate the conflict during its centenary years of 1961 to 1965. They faded from public interest until the next set of reenactments began in the 1980s and 1990s. Civil War reenactors play the parts of soldiers, officers and notable civilians in reenactments of famous Civil War engagements. Many Civil War reenactment units are available for you to join.
Instructions
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Decide which side you wish to reenact. Would you rather be in a Confederate or a Union unit? This choice comes down to several factors, with availability the most important. Depending upon where you live, you'll have no choice but to join whatever unit is available, unless you are willing to travel.
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Notify the organizer of the unit you have chosen. This person can fill you in on the exact details of the unit. Talk with the organizer before you purchase any clothing or equipment, as the unit might require its members to use specific items.
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Use the list of recommended equipment to purchase your gear. How much and on what you should spend depends both on yourself and the unit. Some people go "all out" to get every last detail right. Others will accept reasonable and prudential facsimiles. Discuss with your future unit the minimum level of detail expected, and use that to decide what to buy.
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Ask members of the unit for suggestions on where to buy the gear. Different units have different preferred vendors. Purchasing your equipment from the vendors that supply others in your unit also ensures uniformity in the quality and style of the gear. Many reenactment units have websites that list their preferred vendors.
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Attend unit meetings and reenactment events. You should be able to get the schedules from the unit's organizers.
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References
Resources
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