Chris makes a very valid point. It should also be noted that "living
history" is generally presented by professional, trained interpreters;
re-enactments by enthusiastic amateurs. As my better 3/4 and I do both, the
last thing I want to do is poo on the re-enactors. My colleagues in this
area spend a great deal of time and money researching the periods and events
they re-enact and, in many cases, do a great job of presenting bits of
history. Living history, as presented by trained interpreters, is to me in
quite a different dimension. If you want to really explore this, get
involved with ALHFAM, and not just by looking at their web site. Attend
their EXTREMELY reasonably priced one week conference next month in CT...and
where else can you hear Jay Unger???
Harry
"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill"
- Samuel Johnson, "Rasselas" (1759), 12
Harry Needham, M.A., CFE, etc.
President
Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
Training & consulting services for heritage institutions - and others!
74 Abbeyhill Drive
Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
Canada
email: [log in to unmask]
(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Woodson <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: reenactments
> It also might be helpful to your quest to mention that there IS a
difference
> between re-enactments and living histories. Reenactments are generally
held
> to re-create a specific battle or other event, while living histories are
> primarily re-creations of a specific period in history, be it Civil War,
> colonial craftsmen, Old West, etc etc etc. Unless your museum or
visitor's
> center is focused around a specific event, a living history weekend with
> demonstrations, etc. would probably be more appropriate than to pick a
Civil
> War battle or such and attempt to re-create it hundreds or thousands of
miles
> from the actual site of said event.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Woodson
> Roanoke Island Festival Park/Elizabeth II state site
> Manteo, NC
>
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