Surratt House Docents

[Thomas Kearney]

Thomas - first you are going to have to get a longer comb-over...

Next, save your Lincoln pennies because appropriate garb does not come cheaply, and our guidelines are very explicit as to what is correct and what is not.

There is at least a three-month training session on the history of the Surratts, the assassination, the antique furnishings, etc. before you attempt to solo. And, you will be evaluated by more than one person to see if you are ready to stand on your own. You may have a good background in this subject, but I dare say you still have a lot to learn. We will also teach you the proper way to conduct a tour and appropriate behavior on tours. Personality and professionalism is 75% of the tour. You are not "the star," you are "the educator" when conducting a tour at Surratt House - and you need to understand how to meet the wishes of your visitors, condense the information into a 50-minute format, and leave the folks wanting to learn more.

If you still plan on going out-of-state for college this fall, forget being a guide here. We expect and require a commitment of at least one, full, four-hour shift per month (love those who do more) and hopefully for a minimum of three years. It is not a job where you show up when there is nothing else better to do for the day. Your college plans hold up a big STOP sign right away.

Thanks for the heads up

[Thomas Kearney]

I scheduled my course load for the Spring Semester to a Monday-Wednesday Schedule. I don't plan on transferring until Fall 2018 at the rate I'm currently going, so I'll have time to volunteer. Plus Christmas is right around the corner and that reminds me of a song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWCidnkhPtQ

I'll need it to transform into my twin Payne

[KateH.]

Entering the reenacting field is expensive, even when buying ready made clothing, because you have to buy everything from your hat to your socks. Furthermore, you want each of those pieces to be well made and authentic (there is a lot of steampunk, Barbie and Ken meets the Civil War nonsense out there). Veteran reenactors could laugh or even shun someone who arrives for an event looking ready to board the Titanic or wearing a visible zipper. Yes, purchasing good quality gear comes with a high price tag but those clothes will last for years. Spending $200 on a hat (that is what a good hat can cost) is better than spending $50 on one you'll wear twice and need to replace. My shoes have been through the rain, the mud, a wedding and still look new. Trusty basics guarantee that you will only have to buy some new pieces in the future.

If you want to reenact long term: these items come with special care instructions and it's important to understand what kind of attention each piece requires. Boots need a certain polish to prevent scuffing and wear. Some fabrics will be ruined by water. Outer garments cannot be thrown in the washing machine at the end of a long day. Dark clothes pick up dust so make sure you have a lint brush handy.

A note about first person reenacting: performing in first person is not always easy. Yes, it can be rewarding but it can also be exhausting. The experts know how to literally become their persona to the point that the two people can become like Jekyll and Hyde, two souls in one body. When you choose a persona, you need to think about what that person is going through right now. What have they done to get there? What is driving them? Where did they come from, where have they been, where are they trying to go? Does this person walk/talk a certain way? People are complex, their emotions can move like a pendulum.

If you want to do some semblance of first person (putting on an outfit): it is expensive (speaking as someone who had a custom garment made). Finding an outfit from a picture off the rack is rare, if not impossible. At the most you may find something slightly similar. Then consider where you'll wear this ensemble. Certain looks might not be appropriate for every reenactment. You wouldn't wear a Calvin Klein suit camping. Powell's infamous blue uniform would not be worn in public as it's essentially underwear. If you hire a seamstress, you are paying for his/her time, experience, and, the most important aspect of all, fabric (plus detail work - buttons, etc.) The price of fabric changes and some fabrics are more expensive than others to begin with. You are tall. That requires more fabric. All this impacts the total cost. And you simply do not understand the amount of fabric that it takes to construct some of these pieces until their weight is on your body. Also, most seamstresses require at least one in-person visit for fittings. If you cannot find someone reputable close by, be prepared to drive.

Lastly, as enjoyable as reenacting is, if these clothes are simply going to sit in the closet for 90% of the year it might not be worth spending the money. In my opinion, unless you have a big pile of disposable income, you need to know that you'll wear these pieces on a regular basis for the cost to be justified. Have some events lined up in your head (and make sure that if you are not a participant that wearing a period correct look will be acceptable). Speaking from experience, you don't have a lot of time, especially during your first few years of college, for six hour events. And be careful transferring schools late in your college career. Some schools only accept a certain number of credits and make you take the rest at their school meaning extra semesters. Sometimes you have to wait for a better moment to break into the reenacting field. I had to wait until I left New York because there were no places I could wear an expensive Civil War dress and it would have been a waste of money I needed elsewhere. Something to think about.

---

This "Gallery of Rebs" is making this gal blush

It is it just me, or does anyone else think these two are each reaching for a gun as a Yankee is approaching?

Blaine, as a part of Rick's good natured response, he sent "A gallery of Rebs waiting at Surratts for Yankees to show up."

[L Verge]

Very good advice, Kate. And, some people can pull off the Civil War-era style and look like they just stepped out of a daguerreotype. Others can spend huge amounts of money and still look like they are wearing a costume.

As for being a guide, few sites use first-person formats for regular tours. It is a tricky technique and difficult to accomplish. One statement from a tour member, and one can be easily drawn out of character. First-person works well in vignettes on special occasions and also if there is a third-party participant who can help the visitor understand what is happening. One more time-consuming program to develop within a small museum with minimal staff and creative docents.

[KateH.]

Oops. I meant doing first person preforming outside of a tour setting. Yes, few museums would give first person tours as a persona can only tell one small part of a story.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Nice gallery of distinguished gentlemen!

[Thomas Kearney]

Entering the reenacting field is expensive, even when buying ready made clothing, because you have to buy everything from your hat to your socks. Furthermore, you want each of those pieces to be well made and authentic (there is a lot of steampunk, Barbie and Ken meets the Civil War nonsense out there). Veteran reenactors could laugh or even shun someone who arrives for an event looking ready to board the Titanic or wearing a visible zipper. Yes, purchasing good quality gear comes with a high price tag but those clothes will last for years. Spending $200 on a hat (that is what a good hat can cost) is better than spending $50 on one you'll wear twice and need to replace. My shoes have been through the rain, the mud, a wedding and still look new. Trusty basics guarantee that you will only have to buy some new pieces in the future.

If you want to reenact long term: these items come with special care instructions and it's important to understand what kind of attention each piece requires. Boots need a certain polish to prevent scuffing and wear. Some fabrics will be ruined by water. Outer garments cannot be thrown in the washing machine at the end of a long day. Dark clothes pick up dust so make sure you have a lint brush handy.

A note about first person reenacting: performing in first person is not always easy. Yes, it can be rewarding but it can also be exhausting. The experts know how to literally become their persona to the point that the two people can become like Jekyll and Hyde, two souls in one body. When you choose a persona, you need to think about what that person is going through right now. What have they done to get there? What is driving them? Where did they come from, where have they been, where are they trying to go? Does this person walk/talk a certain way? People are complex, their emotions can move like a pendulum.

If you want to do some semblance of first person (putting on an outfit): it is expensive (speaking as someone who had a custom garment made). Finding an outfit from a picture off the rack is rare, if not impossible. At the most you may find something slightly similar. Then consider where you'll wear this ensemble. Certain looks might not be appropriate for every reenactment. You wouldn't wear a Calvin Klein suit camping. Powell's infamous blue uniform would not be worn in public as it's essentially underwear. If you hire a seamstress, you are paying for his/her time, experience, and, the most important aspect of all, fabric (plus detail work - buttons, etc.) The price of fabric changes and some fabrics are more expensive than others to begin with. You are tall. That requires more fabric. All this impacts the total cost. And you simply do not understand the amount of fabric that it takes to construct some of these pieces until their weight is on your body. Also, most seamstresses require at least one in-person visit for fittings. If you cannot find someone reputable close by, be prepared to drive.

Lastly, as enjoyable as reenacting is, if these clothes are simply going to sit in the closet for 90% of the year it might not be worth spending the money. In my opinion, unless you have a big pile of disposable income, you need to know that you'll wear these pieces on a regular basis for the cost to be justified. Have some events lined up in your head (and make sure that if you are not a participant that wearing a period correct look will be acceptable). Speaking from experience, you don't have a lot of time, especially during your first few years of college, for six hour events. And be careful transferring schools late in your college career. Some schools only accept a certain number of credits and make you take the rest at their school meaning extra semesters. Sometimes you have to wait for a better moment to break into the reenacting field. I had to wait until I left New York because there were no places I could wear an expensive Civil War dress and it would have been a waste of money I needed elsewhere. Something to think about.

---

This "Gallery of Rebs" is making this gal blush

It is it just me, or does anyone else think these two are each reaching for a gun as a Yankee is approaching?

Blaine, as a part of Rick's good natured response, he sent "A gallery of Rebs waiting at Surratts for Yankees to show up."

Thanks Kate! Great advice for anyone who is contemplating entering the reenacting field. As for the clothing, I think I might dress like this minus the mustache:

http://cdn.historynet.com/wp-content/upl...anding.jpg

[HerbS]

Reenactors become very serious about the job of reenacting!!!!!

[Dave Taylor]

I wanted to send out a big thank you to Rick Smith who was kind enough to send me a slouch hat just like the one John Wilkes Booth was photographed in.



Rick taught me everything I needed when I was getting my costume together for my John Wilkes Booth in the Woods reenactment. He's a gentleman, a scholar, and a darned snappy dresser!

Thanks, Rick!

[BettyO]

Looks great, Dave! Really looking good - and the hat is fantastic!

As a matter of fact all of these guys look terrific --

[L Verge]

The new one looks wonderful on you! Just a note that your old hat was a "slouch" hat, but this one is more formal. It may just be a low top hat. Rick probably knows the correct name of this one.

[Rick Smith]

   

I wanted to send out a big thank you to Rick Smith who was kind enough to send me a slouch hat just like the one John Wilkes Booth was photographed in.



Rick taught me everything I needed when I was getting my costume together for my John Wilkes Booth in the Woods reenactment. He's a gentleman, a scholar, and a darned snappy dresser!

Thanks, Rick!

Dave,

You are most welcome and thanks for the kind words.

Glad to see the hat arrived safely. It looks very good on you.

The hat is a style called "Mosby" by hat maker Bill Wickham, better known as "Dirty Billy." He has a very nice hat shop in Gettysburg. Another hat maker, Tim Bender, refers to this hat style as a flat crowned bowler. I spoke with Tim awhile ago with regard to slouch hats. Tim said that the term "slouch" is a condition, as opposed to a style. A "slouch" or "slouched" hat is one that has seen much use and become soft and comfortable. Men's 19th century head wear was finished and shaped with heavy applications of shellac, so a new hat would feel hard. This hardness lessens due to wear and weather.

Here I am wearing one of Tim Bender's Flat Crowned Mosby hats.

Rick

---

[quote='Dave Taylor' pid='62357' dateline='1480647262']
I wanted to send out a big thank you to Rick Smith who was kind enough to send me a slouch hat just like the one John Wilkes Booth was photographed in.



Rick taught me everything I needed when I was getting my costume together for my John Wilkes Booth in the Woods reenactment. He's a gentleman, a scholar, and a darned snappy dresser!

Thanks, Rick!

Dave,

You are most welcome and thanks for the kind words.

Glad to see the hat arrived safely. It looks very good on you.

The hat is a style called "Mosby" by hat maker Bill Wickham, better known as "Dirty Billy." He has a very nice hat shop in Gettysburg. Another hat maker, Tim Bender, refers to this hat style as a flat crowned bowler. I spoke with Tim awhile ago with regard to slouch hats. Tim said that the term "slouch" is a condition, as opposed to a style. A "slouch" or "slouched" hat is one that has seen much use and become soft and comfortable. Men's 19th century head wear was finished and shaped with heavy applications of shellac, so a new hat would feel hard. This hardness lessens due to wear and weather.

Here I am wearing one of Tim Bender's Flat Crowned Mosby hats.

Rick
[/quote

That didn't work out very well. I will send the photo to Roger for posting.

[BettyO]

Here is Rick -- looking as Dapper as ever in his "Mosby" flat-topped Bowler hat!

   

[Rick Smith]

Thanks for posting the photo, Betty. It is not a very clear photo, but you get an idea of the hat style. It just occurred to me that if you scroll up the page a little, you will see Joe Beckert, looking very dangerous, wearing the same hat in a very clear image.

[Jim Garrett]

Dave, you look great in the hat.......however for those of us that know you, you look like a steely eyed cub scout. You're just too nice. to look like a dangerous hombre.