The cost of re-enacting a war

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.

I had all the reenactment I'll ever need as a Cadet at VMI: living in 19th century barracks, under regulations that (at least seemed they) were mideaval, marching in dress parades in 19th century formations twice a week, guardmount twice more a week, plenty of close order drill, in "the healthful and pleasant abode of a crowd of honorable youths, pressing up the hill of science with noble emulation...."

There are some World War Two re-enactors in metro Atlanta. I saw recently a British armored car parked at a Home Depot. Another guy has an M-6 weapons carrier (sort of a big jeep), and a 37MM anti-tank gun. Some of these guys showed up at a hobby function here in those heavy wool uniforms, with a .30 cal machine gun and some (inert) M-1s.

A few years ago they found buried in Great Britain some "brand new" Sherman tanks that had been left after the war. I'm sure somebody scarfed those up.

Walt

British armored car parked at a Home Depot.

Now that's cool - taking the tank to HomeDepot.

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