How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments

If the idea of volunteering in historical reenactments is appealing to you, the first thing you should do is attend some of these events as a spectator. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. Reenactments are family events, so feel free to bring the kids, too. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. In many war reenactments, there aren't roles for women on the battlefield, but some events have side attractions geared toward women, such as tea parties, craft activities and quilt shows.

As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. If the unit is dedicated to historical accuracy, the accommodations will be meager. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. What's more, you could get hurt. John Miller, a veteran reenactor who specializes in the Civil War, warns prospective volunteers that the hobby can get dangerous [source: Miller]. The weapons that reenactors carry are real -- and loaded. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury.

Of course, you might decide that Civil War reenactments aren't your cup of tea, and you'd prefer to dabble in the Colonial era. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. You'll also have to brush up on the language and customs specific to the era. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller].

Historical reenactors are known for being sticklers for accuracy. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page.

To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. Period clothing and accessories can be very expensive -- depending on the period and figure you're portraying. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Figure the cost of your accessories into your budget, too. For instance, Revolutionary War-era equipment is generally more expensive than Civil War weapons.

Sometimes, you'll be able to find authentic uniforms to wear to reenactments, especially for 20th-century wars. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100.

If you're interested in volunteering as a Civil War reenactor, the entire kit (including uniform, canteen, weapon and leatherwear) will cost about $850 to $1,500 [source: Miller]. Colonial-era muskets run a few hundred dollars, and with the rest of the necessary kit, you're looking at more than $1,000 [source: 2nd Rhode Island Regiment].

Don't buy a uniform or other equipment until you've joined a unit, which might have its own particular rules for attire. When you're starting out as a volunteer, the unit you're working with will probably have a spare uniform you can borrow. As you become more engaged with the unit, it's time to think about acquiring your own reenactment kit so that new recruits can use the spares while they test the waters.

One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. Shopping online is a good alternative to making purchases at a reenactment. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors.

Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history.