C.W. Military Reenactor Workshop Weekend

[E. J. Thomas Mercantile]

Hopefully this is posted in the proper forum, mods feel free to move/place as necessary.

I was wondering if there was any interest in a "C.W. Military Reenactor Workshop Weekend." Basically an educational weekend for reenactors to learn about different aspects of military life and how to incorporate those ideas into your impression. There would be a variety of talks by experts, hands on workshops, original artifacts to examine, etc. We would do this all in an outdoor camp setting, not in a hotel conference room, so you could basically begin to put what you learn to practice immediately. We have a piece of land just outside Gettysburg and, if we could get enough interest, would host it sometime in the beginning of April 2010.

What we would need to know is:

- Is there any interest in a military workshop weekend like this?

- What topics would you like to see covered at an event like this?

- How much would you expect to pay for entrance to the workshop, i.e. $50, $100, $200, etc. (the reason we ask is to determine how many speakers we could get, how many hands-on take home projects we could offer, etc.)

Any input is welcomed and appreciated!

[Pennreb]

Sign me up!!

Sean "Wick" Wickerham
Southern Rifles
Independent Mess

[Pennreb]

I think that an event like this is perfect for anyone that wants to improve their kit and would like to gain a working knowledge of how the common soldier did what he did and how he used it, or wore it. I have been talking with Mr. Lomas and a few others about this event, and it would fit perfectly into what all living historians and reenactors should strive for, IMPROVING!! So please, give them your ideas and or comments.

Sean "Wick" Wickerham
Southern Rifles
Flask Half Full Mess

[50th VA Corporal]

If you do it, they will come.

The young; the old; those in-between.

The one's wishing and wanting to learn, to know, to improve.

The one's inquisitive of the whys, the whens, and the wheres.

The one's wanting to develop new skills, improve current skills, remember old skills.

The one's that want history not to rest, but to bring it forward.

The one's wanting someone to carry the torch; to carry the banner; to dispel the myths; to tell the truth; to preserve the integrity.

The one's wanting someone willing to make a stand to provide a forum where all levels and facets of the hobby are welcomed in the spirit of education and growth and improvement of the hobby.

Offer it twice a year in different regions if needed. Bring those that know to teach, to culture, to inspire.

If you do it, they will come. If you do it, I will come - and I will bring others with me. And so we can carry the torch, so we can teach, so we can dispel
the myths and tell the truth.

Bring in the Ross's, Silas's, Lawson's, Daley's, etal.

Yes, if you do it, we will come. And will pay you for it handsomely. And history will be preserved.

[50th VA Corporal]

Lest I ommitted:

The Sekela's, Serio's, the Greg Starbuck's & Dirty Billy's.

The craftsmen and craftswomen, the historians and archivists, the thinkers and the movers.

I think you get my drift.

You all can make it happen. I know you all do and I know you all care, it's not only inspiration, it also perspiration.

[Spinster]

Maybe Mr. Lameroux and I can finally be in the same place at the same time. Mostly we just ship each other presents that other folks would call old junque.....


This is a lovely idea--though I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of how it differs from a unit or umbrella organization Camp of Instruction--with the most salient feature possibly being displayed originals--and that's something hard to secure in tents.

Still, the cost of hotel based conferences is often prohibitive for many, with rooms and hotel meals nudging the cost right over the top.

[50th VA Corporal]

Maybe Mr. Lameroux and I can finally be in the same place at the same time. Mostly we just ship each other presents that other folks would call old junque.....


This is a lovely idea--though I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of how it differs from a unit or umbrella organization Camp of Instruction--with the most salient feature possibly being displayed originals--and that's something hard to secure in tents.

Still, the cost of hotel based conferences is often prohibitive for many, with rooms and hotel meals nudging the cost right over the top.

I think, Mrs. Lawson, is that many, many, units or umbrella organizations do not have enough personell that are qualified to teach at such an event and outside talent needs to be brought in.

I really hate to keep relating to my Boy Scout experiences but we often have large conferences, workshops, and such that do not require the costs of hotels (cause we camp), and mainly costs are for only supplies. Nearly every Boy Scout Council has a camp. They cost money to support - mainly through donations, such as mine. And there are many that can be rented for weekends in the off season with facilities, buildings, etc. And there is certainly plenty of camp space cause that is what we do!

I have myself had great success planning and executing events which have included meals, etc, for several hundreds of participants, youth and adult. It's all about making a plan, develop it, and find willing and qualified staffing.

I am sure there are recognized individuals within the hobby that have the talent to execute this seed of an idea. The more involved in developing it, the easier it is to see to fruition.

While I certainly would like to learn some more finer points of drill I would love to be able to sew a great looking buttonhole like Chris or Nick before I attempt a shirt.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I'm a little subjective on this one since my good friend Bill Lomas is broaching the subject. Trust me, if EJ Thomas is involved, it'll be history-based, inciteful for even the hardest of the hardcore, but informitive for all. I'm one to use labels alot when measuring ones dedication, but in this case, its time to drop all of them and come learn. I'm on the first thing smoking if this gets set up, as a student, as a teacher, or as a bystander. There will be something for all of this.

[50th VA Corporal]

I'm a little subjective on this one since my good friend Bill Lomas is broaching the subject. Trust me, if EJ Thomas is involved, it'll be history-based, inciteful for even the hardest of the hardcore, but informitive for all. I'm one to use labels alot when measuring ones dedication, but in this case, its time to drop all of them and come learn. I'm on the first thing smoking if this gets set up, as a student, as a teacher, or as a bystander. There will be something for all of this.

Ross,

And that is the PERFECT attitude to have! And you have far too much stored value to be a bystander.

[Spinster]

Ross,

Since we're getting up a carpool (my van knows the way, it went twice this spring, once for the Potomac Legion COI and once on the Roadtrip to **** and Buttermilk) do see to it that a date sets AFTER April 15. And unlike the PLCOI, set it so that I am not required to drive the night of the 15th, after all tax extensions are done, to get there.

Goodness knows I have to make a living sometime.

[Pennreb]

There will be many other names and faces attending and I would like to say as the land owner and one of Bill's friends we have an awesome event in the making. Not only will we be doing clothing, but we will have a small scale skirmish, complete with entrenchments that you will build yourself. I am very happy to host this event and we have alot of freedom as to what we can do. I have also mentioned about having an engineering workshop, were you could learn how and why to build courdoroy roads, abatis and any other earth works or trenches. If this becomes succesful we will have civilian and music workshops planned for the next one.
This will be close to Gettysburg, and there is all state game lands surrounding my property, so not much in modern intrusions. Wayne Hutzell of the Dirty Back Boys and the new Depot is also in on the planning, his ideas were paramount to this event and if you for some reason can not contact Bill Lomas direct give Wayne a shout, he will be happy to answer any questions also. Thanks, and hope we can generate enough intrest to pull this off. The hobby will only benefit, as history will also. Doing things right!! Thanks


Sean Wickerham
Southern Rifles

[MMurphy]

Definately! This is a fantastic idea to do that thing that many of us need to do...learn...

I'd be willing to go, and to pay a good 100 bucks to attend..:)