Reenactors are a large group of
aficionados who dress up in costumes to replay the times and
events in history that have captured the minds of modern
history buffs. They will replay scenes from the French
Revolution, Washington crossing the Delaware, the Charge at
Bunker Hill and the Battle of Gettysburg.
The need for exact replication of
clothing from hats to shoes is an absolute necessity to
maintain the reputation of the reenactors and their work. If
you visit colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and purchase a
drink, don't ask for a straw. They haven't been invented
yet.
My friend, Dr. Natty Bumpo of Finster, NJ
is a reenactor and cherishes the experience it affords him.
He wrote to me about a recent backpacking trip to NY where
the lives of Native Americans and the frontier was acted
out. Bona fide teepees and tents were constructed for living
quarters. There was a blacksmith shop, as in days of yore,
and the trappers wore buckskin. However, he was shocked to
discover that some of their camping companions defied the
tradition of attention to the accurate reconstruction of all
artifacts. Amidst all the colorful reproductions, there were
followers who sported modern eyewear.
Natty writes, "I couldn't understand
why the reenactors were so exact to replicate the existence
of those frontier people and then ruin the whole effect by
wearing modern glasses. They might as well have used an
electric light bulb or a cell phone in their teepees,"
he said. "They spent a good deal of money and time
producing authentic outfits and artifacts. They did a great
disservice to themselves and the others who manage to use
eyewear suitable to the times and event."
Some excuses for not complying with the
need for authenticity were, "I don't know where to find
eyewear from this period," or "The period frames
are too uncomfortable," or "Period frames are too
expensive," and the final killer, "Who will know
the difference?"
In response to Natty's letter we decided
to address these comments from the eyewear dissidents. They
ought to know that the development of our eyewear spans the
18th and 19th centuries, the most interesting periods of our
modern history and the years that the majority of
reenactments occurred. Some ideas for our reenactors about
early eyewear descriptions range from lorgnette hand held
types or glasses with a cord looped behind the ears,
sometimes with a weight added to keep it in place.
Frames were made of leather, gutta percha,
horn, gold, silver, brass and steel. Later inventions used
rigid hinged temples with round lenses. In the 19th century,
oval, square and octagonal shapes became popular. Tinted
lenses made their appearance at about the same time. Modern
nose pads came into use at the end of the 19th century.
Natty has been frequenting antique stores, flea markets,
garage sales and swap meets to match the costume he wore.
Natty claims that he has purchased a period frame for $10.00
and two others at $50.00 each. An optician was able to make
his lenses to prescription and fitted them to the period
frames he has acquired.
There are sources that reproduce period
frames in almost any price range. Such a company is James
Townsend and Sons of Pierceton, Indiana. For the ultimate
reenactor, Dr. Ron McDaniel of Rendezvous Eyewear makes
handmade Sterling silver frames. These are, of course, more
expensive and require an extended delivery date. Ron is
located in Shelbyville, Illinois. Natty advises me that the
addresses were listed in 1999 and may no longer be in
existence. Reenactors are encouraged to follow up through
information gleaned from their comrades or via the internet.
Reenactors can overcome the discomfort
factor by adding velvet or leather to act as cushioning for
the tough places. Many events require the use of muzzle
loaded firearms, pistols, smoothbores or shotguns. These
activities can be performed in total comfort. A librarian
who is also a reenactor told me that he finds his spectacles
of special value since they protect his eyes from powder
flash when using his firearm. He explained that there are
special safeguard coatings that can be applied to the frames
and lenses to protect the eyewear from damage. It was hard
to imagine that this soft spoken, slightly built man would
engage in firing rifles, foraging for food during the day,
and keeping the campfire lit at night.
Of course, fanaticism can take matters
too far. I am reminded of a news item telling how, during a
reenactment commemorating Imam Hussein's slaying in Basra,
Iraq in 680, the crowd turned on the actor performing the
part of his killer and beat the man so badly that he
returned with an AK-47 rifle to exact revenge. Before he was
subdued he killed one onlooker.
The romance and adventure of the
reenactors is a seductive lure to most of us. Except for
Natty, how many of us could be compelled to follow the
discipline and exactness mandated by those hearty
individuals? Natty is engulfed by the benefits of his hobby.
As for me, I have to bow out. My fife and drum are
collecting dust in the attic and my breeches are much too
tight to be worn in public.