| Tango01 | 23 Aug 2014 11:11 a.m. PST |
"While a decade ago, there were an estimated 50,000 living-history enthusiasts in the U.S. devoted to recreating the conflict, according to the article, the number of participants has fallen by half in recent years. "The old guys are getting out of the game… and the kids aren't necessarily rushing to take their place," writes Marx. "Meanwhile, the Great Recession has taken its toll on what was already an expensive endeavor." The Wall Street Journal noted a similar trend in a recent article. In fact, the paper reported that interest in the war between the northern and southern states is at an all time low among Americans. And while the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg in 2013 drew thousands, historians and reenactors alike have been dismayed by the public's seeming indifference to the ongoing sesquicentennial celebrations that kicked off in 2011…"
Full article here
link Amicalement
Armand |
| CampyF | 23 Aug 2014 2:41 p.m. PST |
Had a former boss who was a Colonial and Civil War rein-actor. The economy got him. |
 Murphy  | 23 Aug 2014 6:54 p.m. PST |
My reenacting has dropped considerably. I simply don't have the time that I used to have….. |
| Ironwolf | 23 Aug 2014 10:26 p.m. PST |
Corporate America says you need to work more and make less. Sorry but hobbies and vacations are for those who can retire. |
| Fort Buttigieg | 24 Aug 2014 5:43 a.m. PST |
Well said Ironwolf! Couldn't agree more! |
| spontoon | 24 Aug 2014 2:41 p.m. PST |
Dear, oh, dear. Glad I got out in time. After 30 seasons I didn't relish having an infarction on the field! |
| Clays Russians | 25 Aug 2014 5:26 a.m. PST |
Got old, went overseas too much, got older, last thing I wanted to do was relive 100 plus temps with humidity and 75 pound combat load, by replacing it with 35 pounds, itchy woll 100 plus temps and more humidity…. In my late 40s…….the real thing was actually pretty awful. |
| John the Greater | 25 Aug 2014 6:41 a.m. PST |
I have been doing ACW reenacting for many years and the numbers have, indeed, been dropping off. It is likely to get worse in the next couple of years because many guys are staying in just until the 150th is over. As an aside, I was a spectator last weekend at the Battle of Bladensburg reenactment (August 24, 1814) and almost all the British were Canadian. |
| Coelacanth1938 | 27 Aug 2014 9:39 p.m. PST |
I've been in some historical cook-offs. I make a mean pork pie from a recipe dating from the English Civil War. |
| Old Slow Trot | 04 Sep 2014 6:52 a.m. PST |
I know about that,and most of us aren't spring chickens anymore either(I'm 51). But I've been told by some of my pards that I've still got some good battle-line chops . |
