Hi Deb; My partner and I also do War of 1812/Rev War naval reenactments. There has been no lessening of the battle part of reenactments here, inckuding last month's "Battle of Georgian Bay", the largest reenactment ever to take place in Canada (four battles and two towns sacked by the licentious American soldiery).. The visitors DO like the watch the battles and we who participate in them have fun, but I have noticed, over the years, that the visitors are far more interested in the everyday life of people in the period being reenacted. "Where did they sleep?"; "What did they eat?"; "What does it feel like to wear those clothes?"; "How do you splice a rope - or carve a spoon - or make a barrel", etc. It was this level opf interest that drove Sue and I into becoming part-time freelance interpreters for small museums and historic sites - she as "The Widow Wilson - Cook for Hire" (open hearth cooking demonstrations) and me as "The Artful Bodger" (heritage woodworking and carving". Perhaps this is what is affecting the reenactments you mention. Or is it political correctness (war isn't very nice)? Either way, dropping the battles is depriving everyone of an essential part of the experience. Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc. Consulting, training & research solutions for heritage institutions - and others! 74 Abbeyhill Drive Kanata ON K2L 1H1 Canada (voice) +1.613.831-1068 (fax) +1.613.831-9412 [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).