Welcome to the homepage of Blair Mountain Reenactment Society!
Founded: April 2011
About: Learn history first hand through interpretation.
Mission: To promote and educate individuals about history and a bygone era.
Disclaimer: The Blair Mountain Reenactment Society is made up of reenactors who voluntarily participate for the purpose of educating themselves and the public about the history, culture, and the people who lived during the early 20th Century. These reenactors are not affiliated with any modern or historical political party or organization; we also do not endorse, tolerate, nor condone the politics, views, beliefs, and/or activities of any political party or organization in existence during this period of American history or in the modern era.
Our goal is to reenact the role of the miners at the events we attend. We are located all over the US, doing many small and large events to help educate people about this all but forgotten piece of American history. We shall strive to be the most historically accurate reenactment group and to keep it friendly and open to all. To that end, we shall be a leader of accurately reenacting the miners and in the acceptance of all persons who can legally and appropriately portray historical roles they wish to present.
We also recognize our obligation to honor the memory of those persons who have served in the active military service of their country, and shall strive to bring no discredit upon them.
In other words, we wish to be both accurate and have fun. We’re open to new ideas and events and are always happy to have new faces join our ranks!
Recognizing that putting together an impression isn’t easy, our intention is to portray an average person during the years of the early 20th Century, with our focus being on the Coal Mine War of 1920-21. As such, our oufits and equipment will keep to what was the most “common” used in this time frame. We acknowledge that there was great variation amongst “uniforms” and equipment, but we want to keep an overall accurate look and no short comings.
General Information:
Unit Dues: At this time, there are no unit dues. We are doing this as an impression that is not correctly understood by the American populace. Our goal is do more living history than actual battles.
What Organization are we With: We don’t belong to any political organization or union, etc. We are a group of individuals from all over the US. Our goal is simply to discuss the events of Blair Mountain, etc. We have a general love of history over anything else.
Health: Reenacting is a strenuous activity that takes place outside using authentic tactics over the course of a weekend. You are doing this while wearing early 20th century clothing, carrying ammunition, water, your rifle, and other equipment. That having been said we would like to emphasize the “decent” modifier to “physical condition.” Most of us realize we could probably be in better shape ourselves.
First timers: We understand that joining a reenacting unit and getting proper gear takes time and money. Whenever possible, we will be more than willing to help supply you with loaner gear until you can get everything squared away for one season.
Speaking in Regional Dialects: Please don’t, unless you are from the region. Most reenactors do a horrible job with fake accents and we don’t recommend doing it.
Women within ranks: This is probably one of the most controversial topics in reenacting today. Our ideas and notions of women are vastly different than they were in the 1920s. Women did march with the men as nurses, but didn’t do fighting. That being said, we will allow women to be in the ranks.
Authenticity: At all times we will strive for unit authenticity. Although understanding that it will be difficult at first to find proper gear for this impression, there should be no excuse for obviously unauthentic gear to be exposed. Non-period watches, glasses, or other such items are not allowed. Any gear that is in question should be directed to the units NCOs before being used out in the field.
Appearance:
Once again, our goal is to look like a person from the 1920s and not out of a fairy tale setting or stereotypes.
Haircuts: Neatly above collar and ears, any bangs swept back over top of head. If you have long hair and don’t cut it, the strands must be kept back and hidden under a helmet or hat at all times. Long hair was not fashionable at this time and not a good thing for a soldier to have in the first place because of lice.
Mustaches: Some men had neatly trimmed mustaches.
Beards: Being scruffy is okay with us, but no Santa Claus length breads, please. Facial hair was not popular for men in the early 1900s.
Eyeglasses: Must have period eye frames, or just wear contact lenses.
Minor Membership:
Minors under the age of 16 are not allowed to carry firearms at anytime. If over the age of 16, minors are allowed to carry a firearm if two conditions are met, 1). Written parent or guardian consent and 2.) A Hunter’s Safety card. Do note, most events will not allow a minor on the battlefield.
By-Laws:
SECTION 1 – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
a. We are a domestic non-profit group established for the purpose of promoting awareness and understanding of the miners of Blair Mountain through the purpose of reenacting.
SECTION 2 – OBJECTIVES OF REENACTING
a. We believe that the purpose of reenacting has at least three (3) objectives:
1. To inform and educate each participant and visitor at events about the roles of the miners by creating an atmosphere in which mutual dialogue is encouraged;
2. To enable each participant to share, on a personal basis, the experience of the common coal miner during this era; and
3. To participate in an activity merely for enjoyment.
b. We believe that the reasons for reenacting are personal to each reenactor, that no reason holds more importance than any other reason, and that no individual style of reenacting is more valid than any other style.
SECTION 3 – NON-POLITICAL AFFILIATION OF REENACTORS
a.We are an organization made up of Reenactors who voluntarily participate for the purpose of educating themselves and the public about the history, culture, and the people who lived during the period of the 1920s. We are not affiliated with any modern political party or organization.
b. We do not endorse, tolerate, nor condone the politics, views, beliefs, and/or activities of any political party in existence during the period of the 1920s.
SECTION 4 – CONDUCT OF REENACTORS
a. We shall strive to be the most historically accurate 1920s civilian unit in the US and to keep it friendly and open to all . To that end, we shall be a leader in the acceptance of all persons who can legally and appropriately portray historical roles they wish to present.
b. We recognize our obligation to honor the memory of those persons who have served in the active military service of their country, and shall strive to bring no discredit upon them.
SECTION 5 – CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
Members shall conduct themselves in a manner which brings no discredit upon the unit. To that end, each Member shall treat with respect both the reasons for reenacting and the reenacting style of other Members.
SECTION 6-SAFETY
In order to be a member, you must follow these SAFETY lines as well.
A. Any local ordinance will apply and takes precedence and will be automatically be included in the safety rules of the unit. This pertains particularly to the wearing of weapons away from the performance areas.
B. No live ammunition will be carried on or about any reenactor at any event or at a private show. This applies to the city or town in and around the location of reenactment, show or place of reenactment.
C. The commanding officers will hold a safety check no more than 45 minutes before the first event. They will check for safe ammunition (Blanks) Hollywood or self loaded that DO NOT and CAN NOT fire any form of projectile which includes wax, cardboard or any other material, except powder. Before each skit a gauge rod will be placed down the barrel of each Reenactors’ handgun to check for jammed or caught lead. The Officers have FULL decision if a weapon is taken to the field or not.
D. Any live ammunition violation committed, the said reenactor will be escorted out of the reenacting area, in which the weapon will be carried by the commanding officers. The illegal live ammo will be confiscated and the weapon will be returned to the Reenactor. No alcohol will be consumed before and up to the end of the show or competition day. No alcohol will be consumed by any Reenactor while wearing guns, at any time.
E. When an member is transporting weapons, they will be secured in the exact way the law demands, in that state, city and or county.
F. Firing blanks at a Reenactor during a skit performance, a 15 foot rule applies. Shotgun will require 25 feet. A weapon where the barrel is facing the audience will be kept 30 feet from the spectators.
G. Minors under the age of 16 ARE not permitted to fire a weapon EVER, unless they have a parent‘s approval or have a Hunter‘s Safety Card.
H. Pyrotechnics will only take place by the setup of a licensed professional pyrotechnical expert and full clearance with the Safety rules established by the events.
I. There will be NO belly blasts, exploding blood packs, at any time. A pre-placed trickle of blood from the nose or mouth is allowed.
J. Special f/x may take place providing section “I” is met above and it has been determined that another Reenactor is not in danger. Stunts are allowed providing another Reenactor (not performing the stunt) is free of becoming injured from the person/s performing the stunt.
K. A weapon will not be pointed at anyone at any time, except by performers in their respective skit. When weapons pointed at another Reenactor in a skit that is closer then 5 feet, all blanks will be removed. Spectators CAN NOT touch or hold a Reenactors gun at any time.
Blair Mountain Reenactment Society 