Farbs, stickjocks, and costume Nazis : a study of the living history subculture in modern America

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is to allow the reader to better understand the subculture of living historians. Oral history interviews were conducted over a two-month period with ten living historians from local reenacting groups and living history museums in the Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia area. The interviews wielded information which allows the reader to better understand how the structure of the living history community works, especially the private lives of historical reenactors.

Chapter 1 of this thesis discusses the history of the two main subcultures of living history; living history museums and historical reenacting. Chapter 2 describes the interviewees and the structure of living history organizations. Chapter 3 contains many sections, such as For Love of the Game, Edutainment, and Physical and Mental Hardships. This chapter allows the reader to better understand the mindset of living historians, the subculture in which they participate, and the value of living history as a form of interpretation. Chapter 4 discusses the struggles living historians are faced with, including criticism from academics, the public, and even each other and the changing generations of reenactors. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis by discussing the future of living history museums as well as historical reenacting.

With support from historical museums, reenactors, and academics, living history does not have to be a dying art in America. Living history allows for an interactive education which intrigues the minds of the audience both young and old. The professional field which struggles financial to support such an intensive program and reenactments, with numbers constantly dwindling, can work together to support one another for the success of living history.