Heritage Village Civil War Weekend Clothing guidelines Civilian re-enactors and Heritage Village volunteers. Far from being just a “dress-up event,” Civil War Days at Heritage Village provides an educational opportunity for the public to learn about many aspects of the 1860’s, and the events that were occurring. Just a little bit of time an effort on our part can ensure that our visitors leave the event with an accurate impression. That accuracy reflects back onto Heritage Village—letting folks know what sort of care this museum takes.
This year, volunteers have two options when choosing what to wear to this event: 1. A Heritage Village t-shirt and tan pants. Museums, national parks, and living history villages (including Conner Prairie) use this uniform as a way of letting folks know that this is a person who can answer questions— both historical and modern. While costumed first-person volunteers must remain in the 1860s, this volunteer does not find it awkward to answer such questions as “Where is the bathroom? Or How did these houses get moved here?” This option is easy for folks to find, comfortable for everyone to wear, and allows volunteers to be easily recognized by the public (and visiting re-enactors) as the trained and knowledgeable individuals that they are. As Heritage Village conducts events that represent a variety of eras throughout the year, this option keeps a volunteer from being burdened with the task of assembling period-correct outfits for multiple eras. 2. Period-correct 1860s clothing, i.e. an approved outfit that matches the guidelines below. Modern visitors rarely see women in full-length dresses or men wearing vests and jackets in their everyday lives, so would be tempting to pick anything that looks old-fashioned to wear—knowing that many of our visitors won’t know the difference. However, as a museum, our visitors are trusting that they will learn history when they come, and when we make the effort to match our impressions to the era we are representing, we’ve earned that trust.
(Note: I consider the ball, however, to more of a “dress-up” occasion. Those of us who grew up—and are still growing up—watching Cinderella find a dress for the ball know that how important the chance to twirl in a poofy dress can be—whatever the style of that dress!)
I am looking forward to hearing that this was the best-dressed Civil War event that Greater Cincinnati has ever seen! ☺