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"The Authenticity Triad: Man, Methods, Material Culture"

by John Tobey

A quality historical impression will concentrate on more than just "kit," and even the casual reader of these standards will notice the attention paid to non-material items. the reenactor who is dedicated to authenticity will divide his efforts between three facets of equal importance: man, methods, and material culture.

"Material Culture" refers to all the physical items that are part of the reenactor's impression: weapons, uniforms, equipment, food, personal items, etc. The importance of high standards in this area is fairly obvious, since its elements can be seen at all times.

"Methods" answers the question, "How were things done?" By showing how the material culture was actually used, reenacting transcends a historical fashion show. Drill is probably the best example, but there are many other methods that deserve consideration: how the soldiers cooked their meals, how they made their camp, how they cleaned their weapons, issued their rations, and passed the time. There are plenty of guys with nearly perfect kit, but very few who are nearly perfect in the "methods" category.

Attention to the "Man" element is a hallmark of the highest-quality reenactors. This relates to the person in the uniform: his thought patterns, speech, mannerisms, and physical condition. The activity known as "first person impression" is an example of attempts to round out the historical presentation by creating a 19th-century social environment.

It is the Columbia Rifles' philosophy that each of the above mentioned facets of authenticity is equally important, and our members and guests should be prepared for a certain level of expectations in each category; the minimum expectations to which members and guests are expected to conform are presented in the Authenticity Standards found in another section of this website.

John Tobey is a member of the Columbia Rifles.