Peek into America’s past at re-enactment next weekend

Civil War Encampment

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A Civil War encampment was held at Beaver Creek State Park.

Photo by: William D. Lewis

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YOUNG GUN: Having spent more than half of his life re-enacting battles of the Civil War, Grant Kirkwood, 21, of Liberty, wathces over his Union camp. Kirkwood has participated in re-enactments for 16 years.

Photo by: William D. Lewis

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FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS: Jack Schinness, 73, of Chardon, stands in front of a Union flag embroidered with the text of the 7th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Schinness is one of more than 200 volunteers who will perform in a Civil War re-enactment at Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County this weekend.

The Civil War enthusiasts will perform a re-enactment this weekend.

By Jon Moffett

There are moments when Tom Allison forgets who he is.

One minute, he is the soft-spoken gentleman from Wellsville. The next, he is Capt. Thomas Allison of the Union Army’s 9th Pennsylvania Reserves Company H.

A Civil War enthusiast, Allison, 58, began performing in re- enactments 20 years ago after researching the era.

“It’s important to me, personally, because I’ve had family that was involved in the Civil War. A lot of re-enactors have a similar connection ,” he said, his steely-blue eyes almost matching his wool officer’s jacket.

“We should not forget the sacrifices that were made by people in this country that put us in the position that we are in today.”

He and fellow history buffs will perform in a re-enactment today and Sunday at Beaver Creek State Park.

Allison’s great-grandfather was a member of the 9th Pennsylvania. He and about 200 other enthusiasts from as far away as eastern Pennsylvania will portray members of the Union and Confederate

armies for two battles and other events during the weekend. The re-enactment starts at 7 a.m. today with reveille.

Also planned are bayonet drills, a ladies’ fashion show and tea, a church service, an evening square dance and, of course, the battles. Both battles will begin at 1 p.m.

Joining Allison is a bevy of aficionados who have similarly transformed their lives from ordinary people into historical legends.

“This has become less of a hobby and more of a lifestyle,” said Grant Kirkwood, 21, of Liberty, who has performed in re-enactments for 16 years.

“This hobby is its own world. ... I got into it because of the love of history, but now it has become my family. It really becomes your way of life. The funny thing, though, is that we’re worse than Trekkies,” Kirkwood said, referring to “Star Trek” aficionados.

Similarly, Jack Schinness, 73, of Chardon, has been a Civil War re-enactor for 30 years and acknowledges his hobby is not as common as fishing or golf.

“Civil War re-enactors are a different breed of people,” he said. “We live, dress and move around just like a soldier would [have] during the Civil War.”

Schinness set up his camp — which includes an A-frame tent that uses 3-foot tree limbs as support beams and a slew of perio knickknacks — with an Ohio Company A Union flag proudly displayed in front of it. He said he became interested in the Civil War after touring many of the Southern battlefields. He’s donated a few weekends each year — sometimes three or four a month — to re-enacting.

"I've been in this quite a bit, but it's a great hobby," he said.

And though many hours are donated to the hobby, thousands of dollars can be invested as well. Schinness said an authentic uniform can cost upward of $500 and can be purchased from a retailer or tailored personally. The rifles used — typically a .58-caliber Springfield — can range from $400 to $600. Schinness said the price is worth it for true enthusiasts. And finding the proper outfit — both aesthetically and practically — is as easy as clicking a mouse.

“First of all, you can go right on the Internet today and look up the Civil War,” he said. “You could pick up any company or regiment in your area. Then, visit a group and see what it’s like. It’s great fun.”

And as much fun as it is, it is educational, too Allison said. He added that there is much more to personifying soldiers than donning an antiquated wardrobe and firing musket powder at someone impersonating an enemy. The real challenge is preserving the traditions and integrity of the Civil War and that era.

“I think history in general is important,” Allison said, “because if you don't know where you've come from, it's hard to chart where you're going."

jmoffett@vindy.com