What is Living History?
Living History is method of learning from and teaching history. People put on clothes like they wore during the time and try to act like those who we portray.
For some people, this is an exciting way to learn about history. Those with little previous knowledge of the civil war can come to reenactments and learn about the history by putting on the clothes, talking with other reenactors and immersing themselves into the event.
Others come to reenacting with a large amount of book-learned historical knowledge. Those who have studied history in school, learned to do research and investigate the past can dig deeper into civil war history by trying to recreate the experience.
Reenacting is a living history event that often includes military engagements and military and civilian activities.
Why Get Involved?
Civil war reenacting and living history interpretation is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the nation. With the 150th anniversaries of civil war events occuring in 2011-2015, it is an exciting time to learn about the civil war. Many choose to do this by immersing themselves in the recreation of those events.
Living History is something the whole family can participate in together. Every life was touched by the civil war and in the same way there is much to be learned about the civil war through recreating the civilian experience. Together, families can share in the civilian support of the war effort through sewing, nursing and filling the space in the workforce left by the soldiers, as well as interest the meaning behind significant military encounters.
Living History helps to honor those who gave their lives fighting for what they believed in, helping to shape our country. Living history is a unique way to get beyond the dry dates and facts of history textbooks and find the adventure in ordinary lives.
For more information about living history, go to the Get Involved page.