War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part Six

I feel that it is important to share the insights of the leaders in the industry of events and festivals and with the organizers/participants that will be leading us into exciting activities for the upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations.

I left off my last article talking with Anne Brooks, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London. I asked her one of my favourite questions about why “living history” is important to us today. I also wanted to know if Anne could tell us what the importance of “living history” is, in her opinion, and in Fanshawe’s philosophy! It is interesting to share Anne’s insight here … “Fanshawe Pioneer Village uses the technique of living history to convey the message of what it may have been like to live between 1820 – 1920. We provide third person interpretation most of the time and then we have first person interpretation for certain special events such as our dance weekend and our War of 1812 weekend. Many adults respond well to third person interpretation because they can ask a lot of questions about what could have happened. Children respond better to first person interpretation, so when we have our War of 1812 or WW1 Ed days the kids tend to absorb a lot more through this type of learning experience by War re-enactors. I personally tend to think that certain people learn better by different ways, no matter what their age is. Although I am a good reader, and spend a lot of time reading, there are many times when it is a lot easier for me to understand what is going on by seeing it actually happen. I do think there is great importance in projecting “living history” because it is a different way to learn about the past and really understand what could have taken place.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part Five

What better person to ask than Anne to help us learn what advice she would give to someone wanting to participate in re-enacting? “Visit a re-enactment and talk to numerous people and different groups. Each group is very different, different personalities and different values for what they do in the community and how their group runs. Ask a lot of questions.” I find this to be every sound advice. I received similar advice from teacher/re-enactor Mr. Chris Robins. He too suggested that you borrow the period clothing, take part and make sure you really enjoy re-enacting, before you start investing lots and lots of money. As some of you may know, I have been on a quest to understand why “living history” is important to us today and why the Celebrations of the War of 1812 were important also. Anne said … “I think it is important for people to learn about their history. The war of 1812 was a very large part of Canadian history and I really feel like people do not know a great deal about what happened. It is important to celebrate the heroic actions of the soldiers who lived and died in the War of 1812. You can’t move on to the future until you learn from the past.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part Four

Anne was kind to share with us a little about some of the challenges that the “audience” does not see during the re-enactments. … “One of the biggest challenges is safety, what we can do to make sure that not only re-enactors but also visitors are safe, what looks cool, but is still safe. Visitors want to get close and see everything and the biggest challenge is making sure everyone is safe. Battle plans are drawn up ahead of time. The area is mapped out months in advance and the scenarios are discussed at least a day or so in advance and re-enactors are told what the scenario involves”. I was curious how someone would overcome some of these challenges. Anne shares with me … “Patience, and asking lots of questions. I will ask anything and everything from re-enactors so I know what is going on. I need to be aware of what their plans are for safety reasons, so visitors can be made aware of what is going on, and what re-enactors expect from me as a site. I need to be able to please re-enactors, visitors, staff and volunteers so there are a lot of people I have to talk to and organize with to make sure everything happens and that everyone is happy.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part Three
I wondered what kept Anne interested in taking part of the re-enactments. She tells me that it is “The passion re-enactors have for their hobby, I like to learn new things and re-enactors are always wanting and willing to share their wealth of knowledge with you.” If you get a chance to watch or be part of a re-enactment, battle or encampment, I can share with you some of what there is to enjoy and why. I enjoy visiting re-enactments and encampments myself mostly due to the passion that I see from these people and how much effort they take in participating. It is as if you were back in the period of time. It helps make me appreciate what we have today. What Anne enjoys the most is … “I have met a lot of people through re-enactments, so I enjoy talking to re-enactors, getting to know them, and seeing why they enjoy spending their weekends at re-enactments.” There are costs involved, as I have talked about before, but from Anne I was able to further the knowledge of what other kinds of costs are associated with hosting a re-enactment? She tells me … “It depends on the site, each site has separate costs associated with the event, depending on what they want at the event, and what is important to them cost wise. We provide one free meal to all the re-enactors, we have overnight security to make sure everyone is safe. Most re-enactments need to have St. John’s Ambulance. We have a sound system so visitors can get a play by play of what is going on and the meaning behind it.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part Two

As you may know by now, I like to talk about “The Ten Foot Rule” (see article). I just had to ask Anne what her thoughts were about how true to authenticity both she and her groups were in regards to their equipment and re-enactments battles and encampments. I laughed when Anne shared with me … “I am not a very good re-enactor, my dress and outfit isn’t authentic. I just need a dress that passes for a re-enactor, I know I need a new dress this year, since my other one got destroyed by the rain that would not let up at Fanshawe Pioneer Village’s re-enactment last year, so I know I will either make one or buy one for less than $100…If I wanted to get a more accurate one, that was better quality, I would probably spend $300 or so, depending on what I got. I just need a simple one, though, because I don’t attend many re-enactments in kit. I am also horrible at wearing bonnets… I “accidently” forget them so I don’t have to wear them. Fanshawe Pioneer Village does try to stay authentic in regards to re-enactments, but we also have the challenge of being a village that represents the 1820’s to the 1920’s, but we have a re-enactment that represents 1812.” In regards to the regiment, Anne shares that …”I am not in a group, my boyfriend is in the UTMRS and they are pretty true to authenticity, his group is always doing research and trying to find out as much as they can on the First Royal Scots.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Anne Brooks - Part One

It is fortunate that the Festival Nomad and I met Anne Brooks in our travels. Anne is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario. Located in a beautiful setting on the Upper Thames River Conservation Area, Fanshawe Pioneer Village tells the story of rural communities in the former townships of Westminster, London, North Dorchester, Delaware, West Nissouri and Lobo in Middlesex County, from 1820 to 1920, and the founding and development of the City of London up to 1840. Since our meeting, Anne has become a Festival Nomad Correspondent with our Ontario Visited websites, attending several events. She has written articles and taken photos for us. Although Anne is not a member of any re-enactment group, she does work with the Upper Canada Military Re-enactment Society (UCMRS) since 2008 at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. She also keeps busy with the Upper Thames Military Re-enactment Society (UTMRS), since 2009, on a volunteer basis, with events that they plan such as a living history conference and the Bicentennial activities for 2012- 2014.

With this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to talk with Anne about her knowledge and experience with re-enactments and living history. I wondered how someone gets started with their involvement! Anne tells me … “I remember my dad taking my sister and me to re-enactments and all the Ontario forts when we were very young. He is a big history buff. I didn’t learn about living history or re-enactments till I started at Fanshawe Pioneer Vilaage in 2008.” As I have traveled to re-enactments, I always wonder how re-enactors obtain the uniforms/equipment needed in re-enacting, and what kind of cost is associated with these? In Anne’s case, she told me … “I had a bonnet made for me and I have made a dress, and purchased other items from merchants at re-enactments. Most re-enactors either make their own outfits or they buy them from someone else in the re-enacting community, this way their outfit is more authentic then some random person who isn’t familiar with re-enacting. Re-enacting is very expensive, for a soldier to get started it will generally cost around $2000, but it can cost a lot more or a lot less depending on how you go about it. One can purchase old uniforms and guns from other re-enactors, or you can purchase brand new. I know there have been re-enactors that have spent thousands just on their soldier’s jacket.”
(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - Interview Series

by Judi McWilliams

Sandra Shaul - Part Three

ENGAGE THEM!
She told me a story that helped explain where she is coming from … "This year May 1st fell on a Thursday, the celebrations at Fort York were rained out, but, the youth attended, these kids were from Georgian region and spoke mostly Russian, 10-16 years old. These kids are being trained as Youth Ambassadors. When the Food Historian Cook spoke to the kids, saying that the food was Georgian, talking about cookies, puddings, and cooking in the rain, over the fire … the kids fell in love with the Fort, but, the translation was wrong. They were confused, the kids asked why the food wasn’t at all like at home in the Georgian region, what the historian was talking about was King George III." Sandra’s point to the story, “a new Canadian can be confused”. What was amazing to Sandra that this simple act of cooking over a fire, led to the kids talking about their own stories. The stories start to mingle and they learn to appreciate each other. Sandra’s point … “This story is about the level at which you start to educate, and then you expand from there! ENGAGE THEM!” Sandra says… “You get the right foot planted in the ground, them you move the left foot!” … "ENGAGE THEM!” With all this being said, I asked Sandra if they would be relying on volunteers to assist with their efforts in the War of 1812 Celebrations. Yes, Sandra says, they will need volunteers, but, went on to tell me about a volunteer of the Youth Ambassador Program. This volunteer who runs the program works for the City of Toronto. This program is a leadership program for new Canadians. They want to start an exchange program with Buffalo-Toronto Youth, reaching out to the priority neighborhood children. Sandra has plans and challenges for her promotion of the upcoming special War if 1812 Be-Centennial Celebration. But, Sandra has passion for both her community and the people who live in it and visit it. She has a vision, ENGAGE THEM for success!