This information is supplied for new members of
the Homespun Living History Guild, however veteran members might also
use it as a refresher periodically. When we camp as a group our actions
reflect on other members of the society as well as ourselves. We want
guidelines everyone
can reach, but which are authentic enough to allow us to do living
history at sites which would not allow less authentic impressions. Guidelines
will be enforced.
Campsites should look as if one just stepped into
the 1861-1865 period. No one expects you to adjust immediately, but
some simple suggestions will make our camp as authentic as possible. Any
items which came into being after April 1865 are not appropriate,
and should not be used.
It should be noted that many of these suggestions
are requested by event hosts. Camp gear can be simple at first and you
can add to it as you find a treasure here and there. Your mentor can
suggest catalogs where most of these items may be ordered, and antiques
stores, flea markets,
etc. will often yield a treasure at a reasonable
price.
The goal of guild Members should be to obtain
their own gear and to plan their own meals unless notified differently
prior to an event. In the event a group meal is planned the expense and
work of preparing it should be shared by those who are participating.
To help you transport your gear you might want to
make a wheelbarrow or hand cart. These plans were originally designed
by Jack Betts, Vicki Betts' father. She says it was not based on any
particular original wheelbarrow, but developed using materials readily
on hand for the period. Ed Kirch modified the plan somewhat and his
changes are indicated on the scanned plans. A wooden wheel would be
most appropriate but an iron one will be acceptable for the period also.
Here are the plans for the
wheelbarrow.
Please be aware of the following:
1. Sutlers often sell inauthentic items - ask
your mentor for advice before making purchases.
2. Proceed slowly - make good purchases and slowly add to your wardrobe
and camp gear.
3. Remember that some items which may have been patented by the 1860's
weren't necessarily commonly used during the '61-'65 period. There was
often a large time lapse between a patent being issued and the items
being available for purchase. Blockades made it increasingly more
difficult to bring goods into Dixie.
4. Be aware that anything brought to an event is
subject to be damaged or lost. A genuine antique might be better off
left at home if it is expensive or not easily replaced.
5. Our events should always be fun,
but we should educate the public as to what life was like for our
ancestors as they come through our camp. Women had very little time
which was not used productively. If they weren't working to provide for
their own families they were working to provide for the comfort of the
troops. Research will provide you with crafts and professions common to
the period which will help you develop a first person impression. Until
you have perfected your impression women might bring sewing, knitting,
mending, crochet, rug braiding, etc. and a gentleman might consider wood
carving, basket making, or pursuit of some other period craft. The
Employments of Women (1863 - reprints
available) will give some ideas as to the types work women were pursuing
in the 1860's, as will period diaries. Go the extra distance - for
example: If you are using knitting as part of your impression use a
period pattern, wooden knitting needles, and if possible 100% wool yarn.
Some of our vignettes might be coordinated among several members such
as laundress, school, or a ladies aid society. These should use period
correct "props" and be coordinated by someone who has thoroughly
researched these activities. Please be creative and develop an activity
which reflects both your interests and the period. Mentors and members
will be happy to offer suggestions.
6. When purchasing or making clothing remember - WHO YOU WERE makes all
the difference in what would be appropriate for you. Your clothing
choices are also directly influenced by WHERE YOU WERE. While wool may
have been used often in the North, we find documentation that cotton,
and linen were also worn by both men and women in the South. The
elaborateness of your clothing should reflect the identity you have
chosen for yourself.
7. Cigarettes were not invented by the 1860's. This habit would have
been indulged by smoking a pipe or cigar. If you must smoke cigarettes
please do so where the public and fellow participants cannot observe.
8. Finish dressing before leaving your tent.
9. Be aware of the danger of heat exhaustion and drink plenty of
fluids. Eat something so you don't get over-tired.
10. Be aware that women routinely died from getting their long skirts
in the fire while cooking. Use extreme caution and keep a bucket of
water around the campfire in case of accidents. Also please do not
allow children to play in the fire.
11. Sunscreen can prevent a nasty sunburn, and if you need medications
please take them as needed. If you have allergies remember you will be
exposed to all sorts of allergens during the weekend. Please keep all
such items out of view.
12. If you have any health conditions that we should be aware of please
tell the mentors, and also tell them where you keep medication and how
it is to be administered should you need it.
13. Spraying boots and shoes with silicone can keep your feet dry at a
rainy event. 14.
You may choose for yourself whether you wish to camp. Our activities
most often center around sites where tents are not needed or
appropriate.
15. The quality and proximity of water at some events is questionable
so you might consider bringing your own. Antibiotic baby wipes make
clean-ups quick and easy in the privacy of your tent. A basin of water
and bar of lye soap are authentic for outdoors.
I. MODERN ANACHRONISMS. Food
and drinks must always be in period containers.
NO bottles, cans, plastic bags, etc. should ever be in view of
spectators or fellow re-enactors. Spectators DO look inside the tents,
baskets, etc. so if you have modern items make sure they are tied in
drawstring bags or otherwise properly concealed. It helps if foods are
put into period containers at home before being brought to camp. These
might include bottles with stoppers, a patent 1858 Mason jar, drawstring
bags, wooden boxes, tins, etc. DO NOT let modern items protrude from
underneath your tent or out the top of your container. Remember:
period foods don't have to be hidden from view and nuts, fruit,
vegetables, cheese, popcorn, boiled eggs, etc. are excellent choices.
II. Make-up. Makeup is not acceptable.
III. Modern eyeglasses should be replaced as soon as possible with
something as close to period as possible. Contacts or having your
prescription set into period frames are acceptable. For those who
cannot achieve proper vision with these methods frames as close to
period as possible are required.
IV. Wristwatches are not correct and not to be used. Consider
purchasing a reproduction period time piece.
V. Enamelware is not to be used. It is controversial and many hosts
ask that it not be used. Stainless steel likewise should be avoided.
Pewter is acceptable as many households might have had pewter still
around although it had generally passed out of use by our period.
VI. Dishes: plain white, tin, or blue and white are excellent choices.
Try to avoid anything with a modern stamp - especially on the bottom of
a cup. Spatterware and spongeware were being produced from about 1798 -
1865. Sprig ware is simple flowers applied to plain white porcelain and
was being used in this country by the 1840's. It went out of fashion
about 1860, but many women would have continued to use what they had.
VII. Cookware. Acceptable items include a plain iron skillet
preferably with legs (spider), oven with legs and rim on the lid to hold
coals, a tin coffee pot, bucket or dish pan etc. Tin boilers, baking
pans, and saucepans were commonly available but muckets and canteens
would be used by the military and not likely accessible to civilians.
Ask your mentor if you need assistance.
NO tin boilers
made from modern tin cans.
VIII. Crockery. Crockery was used extensively during the 1860's in the
form of cups, tumblers, jugs, bowls, etc. and is an excellent choice for
use in camp. This should be thick, heavy earthenware, stoneware or
crockery. Avoid bright colors, modern patterns, and excessive shine or
glaze. Jugs should be rounded at the top and not funnel-shaped.
IX. Chairs. Excellent choices include a ladder back chair, small
rocker, a wooden and canvas folding stool or chair, or a small bench.
Since many chairs sold at events are not proper this would be a good
time to ask your mentor for advice.
X. Silverware. Forks generally had 3 tines and often had wooden or
bone handles. Forks/spoons/knives did not come in sets as we know
today. Another excellent choice is fiddleback silver which may be
picked up at antiques stores - often inexpensively if you shop well.
Spoons carved from wood or horn or Brittania ware are acceptable.
Knives were generally wide bladed and sometimes had wooden or bone
handles.
XI. Bowls, cups, spoons, etc. made of wood are appropriate. These can
sometimes be found at flea markets, antiques stores, or craft fairs.
Check gift shops at historic sites.
XII. Storage: Wicker, baskets, trunks, wooden boxes, carpet bags,
barrels, kegs, drawstring bags, bottles with stoppers, patent 1858 Mason
jars etc. are acceptable. No modern designs for baskets or wicker.
XIII. Lighting. For emergencies consider a small well-hidden
flashlight inside your pack, but for regular use we suggest a candle
lantern or pierced tin lantern. While oil lamps were being used we must
consider the scarcity of oil in the South in our decision to use them.
Railroad-type lanterns generally came into being about 1870 so are
NOT
appropriate for our period. Candles not properly secured in lanterns
should be used with extreme caution, especially around hay, to avoid
fires. Participants
MUST observe rules of no open flames when in a historic structure.
XIV. Tinware: tin has an advantage in that it doesn't break and
readily lends itself to an outdoor setting. The disadvantage is that
many drinks have a foul taste from a tin cup. Tin was used for plates,
cups, bowls, trays, coffee pots, tea pots, cannisters, and containers.
Look for tinware that does not have lead solder.
XV. Tents: Your mentor will be happy to help you find a suitable tent
which meets authenticity standards. For most events a lean-to or some
such shelter is preferred to tentage. Grommets are not correct.
Because canvas tents & etc. would have been in short supply for
civilians wall tents are NOT
approved. A-tents no longer than 9 ft. are acceptable for some events.
Members will be instructed prior to an event if tents may be used,
otherwise expect to participate campaigner-style. Shebangs and
lean-to's are encouraged when shelter is needed. Tents should remain
tied closed if used.
XVI. Miscellaneous: For those sensitive to hay, grass, and other
allergens a ground cloth or painted floor cloth may be used as an
allergy barrier to dirt and grass and as a moisture barrier. You may
put two or more together to make a lean-to or shelter if needed. Ask
your mentors for instructions how to make a floor cloth. Absolutely
NO
plastic or modern tarps inside or outside.
A wooden cot is acceptable for
some situations, a feather mattress will be of more use. NO
metal cots. Bedding should be
something appropriate to the period - period blankets, quilts of period
pattern and fabric, cotton or wool coverlets, etc.
XVII. Towels: Cotton woven towels are available in dollar stores or
Walmart or may be ordered. Choose colors as natural as possible.
Modern terry cloth towels are incorrect.
Directions to events and a basic idea of what is
planned will be supplied when we can obtain the information. All
members are welcome and encouraged to share information by submitting
articles for the newsletter or to share with group members.
Your mentor and veteran members of the group will
be happy to recommend reading material - magazines, internet sites, and
books - which will help you gain a working knowledge of the mid-19th
century. There are links supplied to Widow Rumble's Homepage, and
others. Citizen's Companion offers a booklet for $5. which is of
immense help in getting started.
Amazon.com, Shamrock Hill Books (http://www.bookguy.com), Barnes &
Noble, and Sullivan Press offer helpful books, and interlibrary loan
from your local library can be useful.
Guild members take living history seriously, and
strive to recreate the conditions our ancestors encountered. Your
cooperation in following guidelines will be greatly appreciated. We
continue to improve our impressions and update our guidelines as
research brings new facts to life. Please be aware.
