Why do you?

[1stSgt45PVI]

This is always a question I've wondered, and we all have diffrent reasons... BUT why are YOU involved in this Hobby? I personally (not that some of you may care?) have a few reasons...

1) Educate the public to the best of my ability as CORRECTLY and honestly as Possible (or refer them to others that CAN answer their questions). We've all had the "are you British" or "which side are you again." etc. As with any conflict, history is distorted, romanticized, and snipets removed for the sake of PC, IMHO it is our job to clear the waters and allow those to understand what truely happened through proper interpretation and avail. information.

2) Understand our history better though "experimental archaeology", many aspects of History has always fascinated me, what a better way to learn than to DO it?!.
&
3) Be w/ my Pards, be in the geat outdoors or even get exercise; I sit in an office all day & it's nice to communicate w/ the outside world from time to time.

So many of you on here, What is YOUR story? I have great respect for what you do, & what you know. Your knowlege and expertise is what we all continue to strive for, & for that I thank you.

best regards,
Zach

[DamYankee25]

OK, I'll bite.

I do it for the chicks

I enjoy it, it's fun for me when it stops being fun I'll stop doing it. Of course there's that love for history too.

On a more serious note, I enjoy learning, I learn something new about the period every day and it's not like that will stop. It's also a good time for me and my old man to get together on occasion, drink brown liquor and tell lies, especially when we're 6 hours away from each other.

[MD_Independent26]

I hate to see the common farm laborer and weathered working man of the 19th century portrayed by pasty faced professors and office workers. I'm in it to try to accurately portray my 19th century equivalent: the hard living, weather-beaten poor.

[lincolnsguard]

I enjoy herding cats.


Educational programs. By far and away. Raisin' money for the CWPT is OK too.

[PMB1861]

I hate to see the common farm laborer and weathered working man of the 19th century portrayed by pasty faced professors and office workers. I'm in it to try to accurately portray my 19th century equivalent: the hard living, weather-beaten poor.

Billy, I'm glad you're only calling the professors pasty faced.

I enjoy living history because I get to stand in the line of battle with fine men like Mr. Birney.

[Spinster]

Because Its Fun!


I'll have to remind myself of that on August 4 when what I'm doing looks just like the image below. When it does, its Pete's fault, 'cause he is in charge of arranging that part.

[reddcorp]

I first got into this slightly irregular hobby due to my interest in history, particularly the CW.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure to rub shoulders with folks in this hobby from all walks of life. My unit has had a mixture of folks: lawyers (I believe the unit to have the most lawyers of any unit in reenactordom), doctors, truckers, correctional officers, computer geeks, students, the unemployed, archivists, machinists, assembly-line workers, etc. Normally, in the real world, it is unlikely that our paths would cross. But in reenacting, we are thrown together, often in inclement weather, heat, cold, long marches, clusters on the field, you name it. In the field, we are pards, comrades. We camp, drill, cook, eat, often take a nip, sing, wax philosophical. We all contribute, share miseries, joys and common interest, the CW.
I got into the hobby for one reason, but I stay in the hobby because of my pards in the unit and a cadre of friends developed through the hobby. And by the way, it's pretty darn enjoyable.
That's my story.

A. Redd

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

I forget.

It is either that to a historian emulating or simulating some aspects of Life in the Past is a more powerful learning and understanding tool than reading dry words in books, or...

I am a fool and a masochist who perennially loves the insults, abuse, and Politics on boards or fora.



CHS
Pasty Faced Professor Ltd, Mess

[PetePaolillo]

I enjoy living history because I get to stand in the line of battle with fine men like Mr. Birney.

I got into the hobby for one reason, but I stay in the hobby because of my pards in the unit and a cadre of friends developed through the hobby. And by the way, it's pretty darn enjoyable.
That's my story.

I would have to share this sentiment as well. The history drew me to this hobby, but the friends made have kept me here.
If it was not for Pards like Pete and Billy and others, I would do something else for fun.

[PMB1861]

Missus Lawson,

I am not in charge of anything other than clothing the backsides of a father and a son, putting a coat on a lumberjack and carrying a pack and rifle.

Now, if you want a priest to beseech the Good Lord on our behalf so we don't have the weather depicted in that lovely picture, we'll need to talk to the Judge.

Another of the fine men I enjoying standing with and walking long miles next too because he knows the words to all the songs.