"So You'd Like to Host a Reenactment"
By Bob Minton, Colonel, Army of the Ohio

With the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War upon us more places than ever are looking for reenactors to help honor the occasion. Most folks aren't real sure where to begin. Hopefully this document will answer some basic questions and get you started on the right path.

First, some basic info on types of reenactment groups:

Infantry Company (may also be called a group or unit)-This is a local group of people who represent infantry (foot) soldiers. This group will usually consist of soldiers, civilians and children. They will probably be named after a local group from the Civil War. For example, my home unit is the 14th OVI (Ohio Volunteer Infantry) based on an original regiment from NW Ohio. The local group may consist of a few people, or maybe as many as 75-100 depending on the area and unit. The soldiers will do a military portrayal while the families may well have larger tents set up demonstrating civilian life. There are also Cavalry Companies (mounted) and Artillery Batteries (cannon) which are set up essentially the same way as an infantry company , simply portraying a different branch of service. There are other impressions which may be attached to any of these groups that are simply too varied to mention (examples being Clergy, Medical, Politician etc)

A Battalion is a group of companies that merge together occasionally to put on larger events.

Now, some information on types of events that reenactors do:

Living History-This is a small event usually with just one or two groups. This can be done with limited space and effort. Typically for this a group of reenactors will set up camp for a day or a weekend. They will do a variety of demonstrations or presentations to the public. These will probably include demonstrations that are military and civilian both.

Local Reenactment-This is a larger event with multiple groups and will typically include a skirmish or battle. The schedule will be a little busier than a Living History. You may have a mixture of infantry, artillery and cavalry for something like this. It will likely not be huge the first year but you may be able to get an event started. If it goes well, word of mouth will help it grow.

Regional Reenactment-This is a larger event still. Examples of this in Ohio would be Hale Farm and Village in August or Zoar in September. These events attract hundreds of reenactors from Ohio and other states.

National Event-These huge events are typically held on the anniversary of an original battle. Examples of this would be Gettysburg, Antietam or Perryville to name a view. These may draw thousands of reenactors from across the country.

Ok, now you have some background, what's next?

The first thing I suggest is contacting a local reenacting group. They can answer most any questions you may have. They can help you thru the process from start to finish. Don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions and get a second opinion. Like any volunteer organization some are excellent….some not so much. Some of the things they can help you with would include:

Start early-Most reenacting groups set their schedule in Nov. or Jan. Example, if you wanted an event in 2010 most groups will have started discussing their 2010 schedule at a Nov. 2009 meeting. They will then set the schedule at a Jan. 2010 meeting. So, for 2011 you'll need to start this summer or fall trying to get things rolling.

Picking a good date-Many folks want to have reenactors in conjunction with a local event. Typical things might be the town festival or something at the local Historical Society. This is a good idea as it gives you a good start on attracting spectators and has built in advertising. One very important thing to keep in mind: don't conflict with a regional or national reenactment as many reenacting groups will be attending those and won't be able to consider your event. The weekend before and after those events are tough also. After traveling for an event one weekend it can be tough to get away the next weekend. The larger event will almost always take priority as they don't happen many times a year.

What do you need to provide-At the very minimum your reenactors will need: toilet access (inside or porto john), drinking water, good firewood, straw for bedding, parking areas and space to camp and do demonstrations. If you want artillery or cavalry you may need to pay a bounty. Each time a cannon fires it costs up to $10 for the gun powder and primer. Both cannons and horses require additional travel expense for trailers, gas etc. Horses need hay also. Bounty may be $100 to $250 for the weekend depending on the event, travel etc. Advertising is a big plus. If you attract spectators that is great for reenactors and will encourage them to return to your event. Reenactors love to talk to spectators! Other things that are nice would be perhaps a dinner or breakfast for the reenactors to thank them for coming. Some folks may donate a small amount to the reenacting group. Many groups are non-profit organizations who do preservation work of various types.

Do things well-If you want the reenactors to return, treat them well. Reenactors get way more requests than they can fulfill. I'm not saying you have to break the bank, but don't skimp on what is needed either. Positive word of mouth is the single best way to help your event grow. Remember, these folks are volunteering their time and in most cases spending their own hard earned dollars to travel to your event for the weekend.

Finding a local group-A quick internet search of Camp Chase Gazette, Civil War News or Civil War Courier can lead you to a publication that will have many contacts for reenacting groups. If you can't find a local group, try someone 'semi-local' and they may be able to help you find someone close to home.

Well, there are likely a myriad of other questions you have. I could probably write several more pages! I think the basics have been covered for you here. I hope this document at least gets you started on your way to a great event! Good luck!