It doesn't take much to catch that living history bug, but getting started in the hobby can be incredibly overwhelming for anyone. Every enthusiast has been a newbie to the hobby. We know how daunting it is to know what to look for, what is needed for your impression, what information you need to know, how things function, and the process of research and documentation. It's enough for any beginner to back out of this important hobby.
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At Silver Lake, June 2002, my second event. My sad attempt
at throwing a tomahawk, and even sadder variation of
period clothes. |
I started reenacting a couple decades ago because I was inspired by a film and another reenactor to live a dream, so to speak. I have always had an interest in the 18th century with pirates and the American Revolution, but never really knew there was anything like that despite the Old West town at Midwest Old Threshers I often visited in my youth. When I was introduced to the hobby, I was completely and utterly oblivious to what I was getting myself into. I can't say it was a mistake, because we've all done that, correct? We've gotten involved in living history and jumped in not sure of what to do or where to go. I felt bad for those like myself who were new and were left to glean what we could find without real guidance. Of course, I practically bought nearly every book out there on the subject matter and joined a rare few Forums in an effort to know what to look for in fabrics and materials, how to make the clothes and items, what was appropriate to the era and what was not period appropriate. Actually, that's easier said than done because despite the internet, it's still difficult to find the info unless you had special access to places. As I said, it was an incredibly daunting task; practically never ending! I was up day and night, taking any free time I had to research. Even then, I saw something I liked and... Ooops! I made a mistake! I admit, I made THOUSANDS of mistakes. I don't know any living historian who hasn't made mistakes in their clothes, their impressions, their camp kit, and more.
Don't hesitate to seek out a mentor or two. I should have done that and learned too late the value of a mentor when starting out in the hobby. A mentor, or mentors, can help you in many ways - maybe a book to borrow, get together to do a workshop weekend or weeknight to learn sewing stitches or dance techniques or even drill, or point you in the right direction of where to find the information you need. Maybe you and your mentor could study aspects of the time period and place or regiment you are portraying. Veteran enthusiasts can help you get on the right foot long term activity in living history.
Connect with other enthusiasts as they are a great help, too. Other enthusiasts who are either involved for decades or just started out can help provide answers based off their research, too. It's ALWAYS a great idea to share information. Some other newcomers can have questions you never thought about yet and the answers will be of great value to you. You most certainly are NOT alone when starting out and to connect with other enthusiasts, online and offline, will benefit everyone.
Be liberal in getting advice from well rounded veteran Living Historians who are adamant about research and eager to share the information. There really is no harm in asking.
When you join a reenactment organization or a historic site, be vigilant in reading every word of information, guidelines, forms, etc they have. In the long run, this will help you. As I said, many have been where you are at and no doubt they have something to help you as you progress in the hobby. If these places have a packet to give newcomers, then you are supremely lucky! Really, it's like hitting the jackpot because some groups have newcomer packets and some don't. Some places have vast amounts of information and, sometimes, it's difficult to sort through all that to figure out what you need to know first. Again, that's where a mentor or two - a veteran Living Historian - who is available to assist you with everything for the first few years at least. Yes, a few years. Not a year or two, but a few. Why so long? Because you will make a thousand of mistakes and building up your living history 'kit', as some call it, will take a few years. You need someone to guide you, encourage you, and all around help you with every aspect of Living History. Sometimes, even provide you with what you need on a temporary borrow basis. Of course you can ask other people about various topics and subjects, but the mentor should be your main 'go-to' person. Even Lafayette had a mentor! So don't hesitate to gain the helpful wisdom and guidance of a reenactor who's been doing the hobby for several years or a couple decades or more.
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Not everything you find that you think is 18th c is actually
appropriate for your impression & time period |
When you begin the hobby, try
not to buy
anything before your first event. If you need to get clothes because your host does not have clothes for you, please ask them where to go to get some appropriate first year attire. Be VERY hesitant and shrewd about just going online and just buying some outfit off eBay or Etsy just because you like the look of it. 95% of the time, it's completely inaccurate. I had to get clothes for my first reenactment, and really didn't look appropriate at all despite I asked and inquired, but I was better than most because I asked for assistance. Most hosts will have something for you, whether it's in their spare box of clothes or borrowed from other groups and people.
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Have someone help you find
period appropriate fabric |
At my first reenactment, it was rather odd because it was the weekend following 9-11. It was somber and many in the encampment were a bit more quite than normal. At that event, I felt very welcome and had
a lot of fun, but I also felt a little out of place as to what I should be doing. I had absolutely NO clue and felt a little off balance, but I did have some fun moments in a battle as a "molly", a term for the women in the battles with the water canteens that came up to the men who fell so that they can check the muskets, and check the guys, then be on their way. A good safety thing. I really didn't know what to do other than follow one of the girls. It was fun, but I felt a little out of step and uninformed. To be honest, this is normal. You are there to figure out if you like history and he guns and camping. As you grow in the hobby, you will develop the person you will portray and what activities during events you will participate in. So, don't feel bad to feel out of place during your first and second event. Often you will have to be outgoing and ask A LOT of questions. If the host is good with newcomers, they will assign someone to you to show you around and answer your questions, even help you get connected with people for what to do and what not to do. the goal is to put you on the right path.
As I said, getting started in living history is daunting but if you connect with a mentor and other enthusiasts, your progress will be easier.
My final tip is... get involved! Enjoy the hobby. Enjoy the people you are around. Go make those memories!
The last real biography about Baron de Kalb was back in the 60s by A.E. Zucker. The best biography was by Frederich Kapp and that was publish in the 1880s. So, it's been a good number of years since there has been a good de Kalb biography put out. I had a thought that there certainly needed to be a new book about de Kalb, but only if there's been a lot of new information about him or his family not pointed out in either Kapp's or Zucker's books. For example, more info on Johann's wife and the family, or even more information on his service in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War via documents he wrote or acitivites, perhaps even when he was younger, or better yet, those missing years between age 16 and 20.
