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Ah, the public. We’re not really much without them—we need an audience, don’t we? Living history practitioners/costumed interpreters/re-enactors are all looking for an audience. We like to tell people about the past, so we need the public. Sometimes, though, the public is a trifle confounding.
In one weekend, I heard or heard about the following questions or comments:
Are you Jane Austen? (This from a 10-year-old girl in a grocery store, so it’s actually score one to the girl for knowing Jane and getting the dress period right, and one to Dana, who answered with grace.)
Look, it’s the Pilgrims!
Gosh they must have been hot back then. I guess they had to adapt, but they must have been awfully hot, even if they didn’t know any better.
Why is it like it used to be in here? (My favorite!)
Did children chase chickens back then?
What are you chopping all that wood for?
Oh, look, the fire’s on!
I thought you’d all look pretty like the ladies on British TV. [i]
There was also a group that trouped in and just stared. Stared. Hard. I couldn’t manage to say anything, though Vicky and Johanna did an excellent job explaining what we were doing. By the time it was my turn, they’d stared in silence for several long minutes and it was just too weird to say anything.
So, what to do? Not much, I think, but to join and support your local history organization to encourage history education for all. And for those of us on the receiving end? Take a break, eat a snack, stay fresh, and park the snark. Wait until the tour has left the building to react.
I had only one not-great experience. A child came behind my quilting frame, popped on my bonnet, and left the room while I asked several times, “May I have my bonnet back, please?” Her mother turned to me and said, “We thought this was interactive!” Well, yes, but that is my personal bonnet. So the lesson for me is hide my bonnet better, and for the public? It never hurts to ask if you can try on the item sitting next to the interpreter, or to touch the things they’re clearly working with. And never touch an interpreter or re-enactor unless invited to. Yes, it has happened.
Manners transcend centuries: please and thank you always work.
[i] This is similar to what a guide at work said the first time I did a program in period dress, wearing a linen gown. “I guess they were more comely at Colonial Williamsburg than in New England.” I am not a fancy lady. But not comely? Well, maybe I’m built for speed.
Kitty Calash 
When we were at Plymouth I was talking to one of the lady pilgrims and she asked where I was from, well lets just say I was talking 21st century and she was talking 16th century….I felt foolish but fell right into the roll playing after I am sure a very red face!! LOL Later we spoke with one of the re-en actors and she said some of them were from Wales to partake in the celebrations. We enjoy all the living history we have seen and appreciate all the hard work and dedication that goes into preserving history. Thank you.
Oh, thank you!
I don’t mean to complain about the public. There’s a wide range of visitors to any site. What always surprises me are the people who want to have an argument about the history you’re telling (i.e. telling you that you’re wrong about what you’re doing) and the people who seem to lose all sense of boundaries and personal space. Just because I’m dressed funny and doing something different doesn’t mean I can be touched without asking, or that my stuff can be taken. People walked into camp, plopped onto the blanket we were sitting on a started playing with a friend’s baby as if it were a toy. It was frankly shocking, even in a living history museum.
I understand…it never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate people are. I am sure you could do a series on what you have to put up with. Rest assured there are many of us that appreciate all your hard work.
Oh, most of the people who visit are great! They just don’t know quite where to start….the reason I loved the “why is everything the way it used to be?” question is because it was so honest!
The people who are more difficult, well, I figure they’re the same people who run over my foot with their cart in the grocery store, or nearly rear-end me in a parking lot. Their behaviour is consistent wherever they are.
The folks who appreciate living history sites and museum–they let us know, and we are grateful for that support. Just keep visiting!
Wow, I can’t believe people will make personal remarks on your appearance. I have no idea how I’d respond to that, it’s just so breathtakingly rude.
Well, the response someone else gave was, No, most people didn’t dress like that in those fancy filmy dresses. People who lived on a farm would have worn more durable fabrics. And I think that answered the intent behind the statement. It was infelicitously phrased, though.
You have more patience then I do!
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