Crabill House Civilian Page
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EVENT CANCELLED

Due to low registration numbers this event has been cancelled.  It is our sincere hope that the event can be attempted again in the future but the realities of low registration numbers have forced us to make a call at this point in time and return money to those few who have sent it in.  Please contact Paul Calloway, Mark Holbrook or Beth Crabb for more information.

Civilian Coordinator:  Beth Crabb

Download Civilian Application by clicking below in either format:

Current Civilian Registration List

Background Information Articles
Newspaper research was done by Julia Evans.

Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
Subject Headings in bold: There are many more articles than this, but these are directly linked below
Military=
Civil War
Civil War Camps
Soldiers Aid Society of Northern Ohio
US General Hospital at Cleveland
Recreation and Popular Culture=
Charles Browne (Artemus Ward)
Jenny Lind Tour
Globe Theater
Transportation=
Railroads
Stage Coach Routes
Ohio & Erie Canal
Politics & Government=
A. Lincoln Visit to Cleveland
Business, Industry & Tech=
Agriculture
Banks & Savings and Loans
Cleveland Insurance Company
Weddell House

Civilian Guidelines

  This event will allow the participation of a large number of civilians. It is to be an immersion event with strict authenticity standards.  Therefore, everyone who is contemplating attending needs to be aware of these standards up front.  Adhering to these standards will afford us the opportunity to interact and share a special experience with other quality re-enactors.

The setting:
Citizens of northeastern Ohio have come to Camp Cleveland, in August 1862, to observe the mustering in of the 105th OVI. Then, when they receive orders to march for Kentucky the citizens bid them farewell.  Family, friends and concerned townsfolk have turned out to visit Camp Cleveland and quickly plan a grand send off.  A picnic for the troops and a parade are only a few of the activities that will take place.

The people:
People from all walks of life visited Camp Cleveland.  For many it was to visit husbands, brothers and sons, but for others it was a welcome entertainment. To go to the Camp and watch the soldiers drill or hear the Military band play was a diversion that few choose to miss.  Thus we have the ability to portray different social and economic levels.  Shop owners and clerks, farmers and blacksmiths, tavern keepers and laborers all would be appropriate.  And as well; school teachers and wives, milliners and domestics, school children and old veterans.

  All civilians are requested to portray generic characters, unless you can document that person to Northern Ohio in August of 1862.  The approval of the Military and/or Civilian coordinator will also be required.  Please note: this event is not appropriate for refugee impressions.  In addition vivandiere and prostitute impressions are prohibited. 

  NO ONE MAY PARTICIPATE WHO DOES NOT REGISTER PRIOR TO THE EVENT.  If for any reason, your appearance does not coincide with your photo, you many be denied participation in the event.

  It is a given that the following will be STRICTLY enforced:
* No makeup; this includes eye shadow, mascara, lipstick and nail polish.
* No modern hair styles; this includes bangs, puffy hair and visible short hair for women and spiked or dyed hair for men.
* No wrist watches or other modern jewelry.
* NO SMOKING OF MODERN CIGARETTES.
* No modern eye glasses - NO SUN GLASSES!

  CLOTHING REGULATIONS:
Dress appropriately for your economic status.
Women
Absolutely no blouse and skirt combinations.  Correct underpinnings and a corset are required.  Period style shoes or boots.  Correct period hairstyle; center part, no bangs, hair confined in a period manner at the nape of neck.  No French braids or ponytails!  Appropriate headwear; fashion bonnets, slat or corded bonnets.  If hair nets are worn they must be of correct materials and construction, not nylon "snoods".  No white hairnets allowed.

  Men
Sack or frock coat, vest and trousers in wool, cotton, linen or jean cloth (whatever is appropriate for your social status). Cotton, flannel or wool shirts with correct buttons.  Period overalls and/or over shirts if appropriate for your impression.  Period style shoes or boots.  Porkpie, wheel, straw (not Amish), plug or beehive hats.  Necktie or cravat - of appropriate fabric and correctly tied.

  Children
Young girls; boat necklines, short sleeves, calf length skirts.  Correct underpinnings are required.  Teenagers; same as for adult women including correct underpinnings.  Young boys; short pants, shirt and vest and/or sack coat or short pants with matching shirt.  No child sized uniforms! Older boys; same as for adult men.
Toddlers; dresses for both boys and girls. NO VISIBLE MODERN INFANT GEAR such as baby bottles, disposable diapers and pacifiers.   NO MODERN TOYS!
Children should have period toys, games or other things to keep themselves amused.

  Camp Area
The camp area for the civilians is rather limited.  Most activity will take place around the Crabill House.  The Civilian camp area is a short walk from the house and will in all likelihood just serve as a retiring area (meals and sleeping). Still we are asking that you not bring anything modern into camp.  All food items must be in period containers and NO MODERN FOOD ITEMS (this means no hot dogs or Pop Tarts!!).  Please keep modern medicines or hygiene products hidden.  Please disguise modern cameras if possible and be unobtrusive when taking pictures.  No military camp furnishings including folding stools.

  First Person
As this is an immersion event, we are asking that you stay in first person 24 hours a day.
This does not mean that you can't greet a friend, discuss your health, share a problem etc.
It does mean that you must leave out all references to modern day things.  No talking about the computer crashing, your new car or an e-mail message.  If you must talk about these type of things, we request that you do it out side of the area (take a walk or visit the lake) so that your conversation does not interfere with others immersion into 1862. 

Local modern lodging information can be found below
Lodging Info