In the beginning (the 1950s), there were really authentic reenactors. That's because they were using all original stuff. Although back then, it wasn't called original, it was called surplus. During the Centennial, the concept of quantity over quality began. It was frankly, atrocious, and is burned forever in the minds of many senior National Park Service people, who were rangers then. Thus the "no battles on National Parks" rule, which was not the case during the Centennial. After a few minor ear-fatalities at the 100th Antietam, the Park Service changed their opinion of reenactors forever. This was the era of the solid wood (holds no water) canteen, the camera case cartridge box, and the Sears work clothes uniform. Just after this era was about the time I came into the reenacting scene (1973). If you wore wool you were considered an authentic. A common put down line was "What gas station are you sergeant of?" Everyone carried original weapons, because they were cheaper than reproductions. (wipe up your drool!).

Several folks were very dissatisfied with the turn of reenacting, and, with the approaching Bicentennial, decided to try Rev War reenacting, but to do it "right". These people started organizations in the late 60's like the Brigade of the American Revolution, First Maryland Regiment, etc. During the Bicentennial it was discovered that you really could wear wool coats in the summer without fainting too frequently, and you could produce top quality reproductions if you really wanted to. This knowledge was transferred to Civil War reenacting, and in the late 70s and early 80s the run-of-the-mill equipment that you could purchase was actually very good. The uniforms were still lousy until the discovery of Charlie Childs in 1986.

Well boys and girls, the bicentennial ended in 1981 at Yorktown. Oh, sure, it actually didn't end officially until January 1984 at the great Annapolis outdoor skating rink/ice storm event, but many reenactors left in droves in 1981 because it was an anniversary year for Civil War reenacting that you could divide by 20. People fresh from Rev War stuff looked around and said, "We need Civil War stuff too." There was a great sailing expedition, and Pakistan was discovered in July of that year. Authentic items were given to the natives in exchange for hundreds of reproductions, and things were going well. Then, the 125th rolled around in 1986. At 125th Manassas (saying the 125th First Manassas looked silly when I typed it) a grand push was made for early war uniforms. This was the start of the "It's an 1861 event, we need an 1861 uniform" thinking. More uniforms and equipment were needed. This placed a great strain on the Pakistani elves that were currently producing
to their limits.

Then, Ken Burns blew reenacting wide open in time for the late 125th, early 130th events. More Pakistani elves were needed to make equipment. Originals were now scarce because they were no longer "surplus", they were now "antiques". So another expedition was outfitted for Pakistan, but this time reproductions, not originals were taken to the natives as gifts. The natives
were angered that they were given reproductions and couldn't enhance their collections of Civil War artifacts, and so decided to cut some corners in the manufacturing process by copying the reproductions as an insult. This gave rise to the generally poor quality of the mass produced merchandise that we see today.

In the early to mid-90s, a new movement was started, the Progressive movement. This movement was based on the idea that original items, not reproductions, should be copied. As you can see, this was actually not a new idea, but one that had become relegated to the stuff of legend and folklore. Once again, high quality items began appearing on the persons of various reenactors, and like the early Christians, they were persecuted and hated by some. But like those early zealots (and sometimes martyrs) they continued their unshaken faith in the stitch-count and are beginning to spread their gospel through their deeds to the rest of the reenacting world. While it is true that some are not great communicators, and anger those around them through their words, by their very appearance they are changing the face of reenacting.

And so, just as we went from the Grandeur that was Greece, to the Glory that was Rome, to the Dark Ages, to the Renaissance, so too are we now on the cusp of a Renaissance of reenacting. Watch out for the Borgias, though.