First Kentucky Rifle Regiment
Photo Supplied by Mr. Chris Robins
Discussion with Chris
Robins
Mr. Chris Robins, History/Geography
Teacher at our local
West High
School in Cobourg, Ontario
A
Sense of Authenticity …
When it comes the question of “authenticity” when reenactors get into
gear and portray a period of history, the question of “authenticity” usually is answered in similar ways. Over the course
of two years, (previous Blog articles I have written can be viewed on this
website) have been answered by people from the Canadian Heritage Minister, James Moore, to Major John Terence (Ret’d), to Curators at Museums and Pioneer
Villages to professional reenactors to students opinions. Today, Mr. Chris Robin’s says part of the “sense of authenticity is to feel the vibe
of the 1812 Era … or period of history being portrayed through “living
history”. As an example, some encampment areas use authentic canvas tents. Chris jokes with me telling me that as
he and a few of his regiment are becoming “advanced
in age”, they sneak out to the local hotels for the evening, get a good
rest, warm shower, and sneak back into camp before anyone else gets up and is
the wiser. It doesn’t distract the visual authenticity for the public. Again, Chris laughs when he told me about a
time the were participating in an reenactment at Chryslers Farm in modern tents… the torrential rains literally
flooded the tents… when Chris and his
buddies woke, they saw their shoes floating around in the flooded tent. At one
point, Mr. Robins regiment used “wooden canteens” to help stay “authentic”, but as he told me they were
utterly useless as mold and cracks cancelled this idea quickly. Chris says they still wear them, but hid
modern recycle able water bottles under their frocks. Now Chris and his buddies say the invention of “stainless steel canteens” are more authentic with time and assist
with this ongoing issue.
Mr. Chris Robins has a great website up and running and I highly
recommend you check out the website at (cdciwestreenacting.westhistory.net)
to see where to view all the activities Mr.
Robin’s and his mates have planned for this year.
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