PLEASE NO PETS! Leave the dogs at home, they will be disturbed by the noise and the action!
Turn off your car alarm! The concussion of the cannons will set the alarms off and having to listen to dozens of alarms destroys the battle impression.
Please walk through the camp areas. Many re-enactors love to discuss history, many times in 1st person so you will feel like you are really there! Skits and impressions will be going on all day and you just won't see them at the battles. Check out the hospital and the civilian towns and refugees too!
Dress comfortably for the weather and plan to stay the day.
Have on hand an umbrella in case it rains, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, binoculars to view the distant battlefield action, bottled water, allergy medicine and perhaps an old blanket to save your space at the battle viewing area.
You might also bring an aluminum folding chair to make your battle viewing more comfortable. Sometimes bleachers are provided but they are many times filled up and hard to get onto or out of.
Bring your camera with lots of film! If you will be videoing make sure you have an extra battery and tape.
If you find yourself sitting near a cannon, make sure you open your mouth when it fires. This will help equalize the pressure between your inner and outer ear from the concussion.
ALL military and civilian reenacting units want to recruit new individuals who have a good attitude and are interested in the history of the American Civil War. You will find plenty of enthusiasm for your interest upon talking to our members as you travel through the camps. We advise looking at all military units and/or civilian groups, both blue and gray, before joining any unit, talk to the people in each group and see if you would like them as friends. Decide if you would enjoy their "living history philosophy" before you sign up. If you are intending to join as an individual without your family your options are good to get into any unit. If you intend to get your family involved too, make sure the unit you join is interested in helping your family portray the era as well. There are no military company units who allow family members to camp with them, however, some do have camps located nearby that your non-military family can set up in as auxiliary members. There are also civilian units portraying refugees or townspeople available to join if your interest is non-military.
Getting started is confusing to the uninitiated but your chosen unit should help you with knowledgeable mentors to ensure you get outfitted correctly and give you the training you need to be safe. Several military units have loaner uniforms and gear to help you get on the field to experience the battle and camp aspect before you spend your hard-earned money. Many of these units also have training away from events where you will be able to learn the art of drill by competent NCO's and officers.
Once you decide on a unit you will need to fill out the application form and pay your dues. Dues amount to a small fee per year and you must join your adopted unit first before joining the NCWC. You will then have to join the Northwest Civil War Council by filling out our form and paying our yearly dues ($15 single membership or $30 household membership). These forms are turned in by the commanders of the units with their signature. So all forms go to the company commander or his clerk.
We hope you will join us and experience living history!
Here are some unit web pages to give you more information
UNION |
CONFEDERATE |