Re-enactors abound. Every historical movie or program that uses actors in costume to portray real people and historical events are re-enacting. In addition, many historical places have started using staff or trained volunteers in costume to help visitors more fully “experience” the site or the event memorialized in that place.

Historical “Re-enacting” has also become a popular and widespread pastime across the country and in many places around the world. These “reenactors” strive for complete historical accuracy: they dress in historically accurate clothing, usually made by hand of the cloth proper to the era and style of clothing, with buttons and fasteners proper to the period and style. They will use equipment authentic to the period and have learned to use it in the same way that people of that time would use it. If a reenactor is portraying an actual person, the reenactor will have researched the person’s life and, as far as possible, the person’s knowledge and beliefs. A serious reenactor will stay “in character” when speaking to visitors, “not understanding” references to contemporary events, technology or culture. [Read more…]