Re-enactors can really make an event. They make a wonderful addition to museums and the programs they offer to the public.  However, once you pay one or even once, you will be expected to pay again and again and again.  If money is tight, be careful not to get yourself boxed in on this issue because you will be setting a precedent for the long haul.  It will not only get expensive for your museum, but also for your museum neighbors who will also now have to pay because you paid.  That can make your neighbors very unhappy with you.

 

Here are some of the ways I have dealt with the issue:

1. I would always let people know that money was tight and that there was no budget for re-enactors. This seemed to work most of the time, but the requests for payments would still come pouring in before an event.  It was only during periods of budget cuts that I could legitimately say there was no money and everyone would believe me. 

2. I sometimes paid a re-enactment group a nominal fee for doing an event. That actually worked well.  And believe me, the fee was low.

3. The one time I paid actors (note: not re-enactors) to play the prominent roles in a particular program turned out to be a bad thing to do.  All the re-enactors then asked for payment even though they had minor roles with no script to learn.  I thought the re-enactors would see a distinction between actor and re-enactors, but they did not.