Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission  
 

Creating a Good Relationship Between Re-enactors and Your Site

Rick Finch- Director, Fort Meigs: Ohio’s War of 1812 Battlefield

This hand-out was developed for a presentation to the Ohio Local History Alliance Region One conference in 2010. It was intended as a generic set of guidelines for working with re-enactors of all time periods, but it can help specifically when discussing whether to host a re-enactment for the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Know what you want before you start

• Ask yourself why you are using re-enactors? That is, how will this enhance your goals, objectives, or mission?
• Have an idea of what you want from the re-enactors and be able to convey that to them in planning meetings
• Re-enactors, living historians, & historical interpreters, know the difference & who is best to meet your needs
• Other factors to consider:
                 How many re-enactors do you want?
                 Is this an “open” event or an “invitation-only” event?
                 What time period do you want?
                 How many re-enactors can your site reasonably accommodate?
                 Will they be the focal point of the event or a "side show to the big show?"
                 Do you have liability insurance or can the re-enactors provide it?

Get to know the re-enactors and get them involved

• Get to know your re-enacting "leaders" and get them involved in the planning process
• Have one or two go-to re-enactors that know the current "politics" and can help you get things done

Be prepared to relinquish some control... but don’t expect the re-enactors to do everything

• You must invest staff time
• Spell out who is responsible for what duties such as registration,
                 battle planning, schedule of events, publicity, & camping logistics
• Utilize the re-enactor military chain of command to your advantage
• Be flexible and try new things they suggest

Pre-event Preparation

• Have a user-friendly registration form
• Have a clearly marked registration area for the event
• Re-enactors, living historians, & historical interpreters, know the difference & who is best to meet your needs
• Have a welcome packet to hand out at registration. Things many include:
                 Thank you letter
                 Map with local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, groceries, etc.
                 Event guidelines and ground rules
                 Schedule of events [that includes public programs and re-enactor logistics]
                 Safety guidelines
                 Site rules or regulations that you feel the re-enactors need to know or follow
                 Garbage bag
                 Liability waiver

To-dos for the event

• Make sure you have:
                 Water, straw, firewood, and plenty of clean toilets [in convenient locations]
                 A serve weather emergency plan
                 A first aid area
                 A lost child plan
                 Staff on site 24/7 or if not have an emergency number
• Make sure you thank the re-enactors for coming out
• Give them perks, if you can
• Daily meetings are a must
• Feedback and review is a must

Respect

• Many re-enactors care deeply about sites so make sure you treat your re-enactors with respect and professionalism.
• Consider re-enactors as guest volunteers & hold them to the same standards but also treat with them the same
                 respect as paid or non-paid staff

Other helpful hints

• Make sure your event doesn’t conflict with an established event
• Once you have a date, stick with it
• Start small and build up to a large event [if that is what you’re after]
• Stay determined. Re-enactors are notorious for not promptly replying or registering, especially for new events
                 or groups they don’t know