I’m not sure why some people get so caught up in the re-enactment lifestyle.  I mean, I like historical books and movies, but I can’t picture spending my summers traipsing from one primitive campground to another.  Washing out of a bucket and using porta-johns.

I used to go camping when my kids were small and I enjoyed it, but we went to campgrounds with shower facilities and we usually took a butane stove with us to do our cooking.  Plus it was only for a weekend here and there, but I guess there are some people on the Battleground circuit who only go once or twice a season.  But, it seems like an awfully expensive hobby if that’s the most you intend to practice it.

As I wandered the camping area on Saturday, many people were more intent on napping than anything else.  The heat had taught them the “siesta” mode of operation.  I noticed that some campers were more intent on staying true to the era than others.  There were quite a few cleverly concealed ice chests scattered around and several of the “beds” looked more like air mattresses with quilts over them than feather beds.  Most tent flaps were shut and I speculate that it was mostly to conceal modern conveniences.

It does look like it might be fun for a weekend, except for the clothes: layers and layers of heavy fabric from shoulders to ankles.  I was dressed in shorts and a tank top and longing for my air conditioning.  I can’t imagine spending days in 85 degree heat wearing all those clothes.  I watched one lady leaning over her fire to cook hamburgers (something else I’m pretty sure they didn’t have in 1862) while wearing enough clothing to stay warm in January.  I’ve cooked that way, it’s a hot job even in shorts.

The final lesson came when I walked through the restored cabin.  Not quite a white-columned antebellum masterpiece, but probably more typical of the average citizen’s home, it has a parlor, kitchen, and a second floor bedroom.  All three rooms have fireplaces.  That’s the only heat and the only place for cooking.  I’m not sure when pumps were invented, but there’s none here.  Water would have been brought in buckets.  No dishwasher or washing machine, no refrigerator, or bathroom.

No instant communication methods. No movies, television or radio, in fact not even many books, except the Bible.  Live entertainment was the only possibility.

Of course, entertainment isn’t very important when you’ve spent a 12 hour day at hard labor just to survive.  No thank you.  The old days don’t seem all that good to me anymore, but a day spent photographing them was very entertaining, in spite of the 90 degree heat.   Check out my new gallery page for more photos.