Reenacting a "civil religion?"

[Robert Braun]

OK... hold off on your comments regarding sociologists and read this piece about reenacting and the National Park Service.

While framed in terms of Revolutionary War reenacting, there are numerous references to ACW reenacting, and a clear knowledge of we protrayers of the "War of the Rebellion."

You will need Adobe Acrobat to read this monograph.

www.nps.gov/revwar/reenactors/

Comments are welcome.

[cleaveland]

Robert, et al,

the way it reads I'll need to go over it again, possibly a third time in order grasp all of its details. that said, I would say it is fairly accurate in its assessments of the issues. The biggest thing I have got out of it is of the culture of the park service that I was not aware of, primarily, we always thought that the main concerns with our participation at events and their scope was safety, the fact that the concerns are more complicated than that will help us address and meet the challenges of national park interpretation that will satisfy our goals and the park services together. so I'd say thanks for making that article known to us.

I'll read it again and see what else I come away with.
John Cleaveland

[Robert Braun]

Thanks for your note, John.

While the work does a very good job of identifying and characterizing the issues between reenactors and the NPS, it avoids read decision recommendations that might improve relationships... and enhanced visitor experiences.

The author is also extremely reticent (understandibly so) to criticize NPS polices.. particularly the "no opposing foces rule." In light of enormously successful reenacments in state parks and an enviable safety record at these parks, the NPS' adherance to this policy is, in my view, a position that is rapidly losing both validity and support.

The author also ommitted THE primary underlying force behind reenactors as volunteers and long-term park partners: money. The author's contention that there is some "cost" associated with reenctors is laughable... considering the enormous interpretive value parks receive for virtually no cost whatever. With ever-constricted annual budgets, coupled with the need to show reasonable gate admissions, the need to partner with reenactors is a reality not lost on nearly all site administrators.

The best point the author made was "manner matters." Indeed, the fine relationships enjoyed between the 33rd WV and National Parks, Battlefields, and Historic Sites, and even more state and local historic sites, spins in no small way directly from this simple mantra. ANd we look forward to continuing these relationships!

Bob.