It is understood that some items if not already
owned, may not be easily obtained. It is not the intention to exclude anyone just because they might not own exactly what
is stated in the guidelines. It is only requested that you follow the guidelines as closely as possible. If you have any questions
about these guidelines or need clarification, please contact the coordinator; a suitable alternative can probably be found for most items.
Any participant
failing to comply with the guidelines after consultation with the coordinator and event organizer may be asked to leave the
event and/or denied participation in future events.
Please avoid these items
during the event hours and/or within the site limits: Modern eyewear Modern head wear Modern tobacco
use Cell phones Modern makeup other than sun screen and lip balm
These Items are PROHIBITED: Zippers Velcro Wristwatches John Wayne-type bandannas Painted fingernails Obvious synthetic fabrics Sutler snoods,
battenburg lace parasols, and other reenactorisms Modern toys Obvious modern makeup Body jewelry not appropriate
for the 1860s
Female and Children
Adult Women Please, no women in men's clothing unless
you really appear to be a man. Those wishing to wear men's clothing must contact the event coordinator prior to registering for the event to discuss this situation.
Period undergarments must be worn. This includes
chemise, petticoats and corset or stays. Undergarments must be appropriate to the dress, no large hoops under simple cotton
dresses. If you choose to wear drawers they must be of the proper construction and length. Stockings must also be of appropriate
length.
The dress is to be of period construction and of wool, silk, or cotton. Cotton dresses should be of a
reproduction calico, stripe or plaid in appropriate construction. Solid colored cotton dresses are discouraged. Silk and wool
dresses must be of period color and/or prints. White shirtwaists and skirt combinations should only be worn by fashionable
young women, and be of high quality materials suited to the impression (no calico skirts). Mixed fabric ensembles may be allowed
for low class, destitute impressions. Dresses must be of the appropriate cut and style for the time of day (no ball gowns
or evening dresses during the day).
Headwear must be appropriate to your dress. Fashion bonnets can be worn with
high fashion dresses and should be 1860s style and construction. No Juliet caps. Slat bonnets are appropriate for most impressions.
They must be of period fabric and, if applicable, period print. No Little House on the Prairie sunbonnets. Hats may be worn
but must be of appropriate shape, construction, and material. No sutler snoods.
Shoes should be black leather,
square or rounded toe, lace up the side or front, flat heeled, as smooth soled as possible (avoid the tire tread look), and
without any extra trim. Modern "Granny" or ankle boots are acceptable. Speed laces, the hooks rather than holes
for the laces, are inappropriate and should be removed. No tennis shoes, flip flops, "China" shoes, modern flats
or ballet slippers.
Hair must be of period appropriate style. "Part in the center-Pull it back-Plaster it
down." Bangs, fringes, or wisps are not appropriate to the 1860s. Hairstyles should match your impression. A refugee
on the road or a poor farmer's wife will probably not have a fashionable hairstyle; merely pull it back in a bun and get
it out of the way. Short hairstyles were a fad and should only be worn by younger women.
Children Children's clothing should be of equal economic level to their parents. Children should be dressed to their age, rather
than their physical development. No boys under 18 in full military uniform. Modern infant items such as bottles, disposable
diapers, pacifiers, should be kept out of sight.
Male Guidelines
Hats
A
good brimmed hat is a must. Frontiersmen and soldiers in Texas favored light colored, wide brimmed hats in 1850's. Crown
height varied, so long as the brim was sufficiently large to shade your face from the harsh Texas sun.
Any period
correct style and color of broad brimmed hat is acceptable as are wheel caps. Correctly constructed kepis are allowed for
soldier impressions.
Garments
At minimum, all buttonholes are to be hand sewn.
Commutation jacket,
Overshirt, sack coat, frock coat or other utilitarian civilian article of clothing constructed utilizing period tailoring
techniques and of cloth appropriate for the socio-economic background for the person you are portraying.
Absolutely
no Columbus Depot or other depot produced garments will be allowed.
Vests are at the discretion of the participant.
If you choose to wear a vest, it must be of a correct pattern and constructed using period correct tailoring techniques. Please,
no brocade front vests.
Pants are to be cut using a period civilian pattern and of appropriate cloth. Please,
no wild plaids. Broadcloth, cotton jean, woolen jean, kersey, woolen plains, or linsey woolsey would all be good choices.
Shirts are at your discretion. Homespun, linsey, linen, etc. based on your impression. All are to be cut to a
period pattern and sewn using period tailoring techniques.
Footwear (boot or bootee) is left to the discretion
of the participant. However, all footwear must be of correct pattern and constructed using correct techniques.
Prohibited Gear
Masonic, Harps, animal parts,
or any other anachronistic adornment on your headwear or jackets! If decoration is desired, please only use a Texas star.
Also please remember the 2nd Texas was ragged so please bring your most beat up kit. The deserters should have full bed roll
and all their items on them at all times.
Civilian
Clothing Linen or summer weight wool frock coat, overshirt, sack coat, or other utilitarian civilian article
of clothing constructed utilizing period tailoring techniques and of cloth appropriate for the socio-economic background for
the person you are portraying.If you choose to wear an overshirt for your civilian impression, please no heavily trimmed ‘battle
shirts'.
Vests are at the discretion of the participant, but recommended. If you choose to wear a vest,
it must be of a correct pattern and constructed using period correct tailoring techniques. Please, no brocade front vests.
Pants are to be cut using a period civilian pattern and of appropriate cloth. Please, no wild plaids. Broadcloth,
linen, cotton jean, woolen jean, kersey, woolen plains, or linsey woolsey would all be good choices.
Shirts
are at your discretion. Homespun, linsey, linen, etc. based on your impression. All are to be cut to a period pattern and
sewn using period tailoring techniques. Cravats, ribbon ties, etc. are recommended for all participants.
Footwear
(boot or bootee) is left to the discretion of the participant. However, all footwear must be of correct pattern and constructed
using correct techniques.
Elastic suspenders, in most cased, are not appropriate. They should be of leather,
cloth or knitted material with buttonholes at one end and either buttonholes or straps and buckles for adjustment.
Facial hair and hair styles should be worn in an appropriate style for 1863.
Modern
Equipment and Medicines
The use
of modern items such as cell phones and modern tobacco items by participants is restricted to outside the site boundaries.
Modern camera use by participants is allowed if used discretely and it does not disrupt or interfere with the event.
Modern items needed for sanitary and health reasons are allowed
if concealed in period-style containers and used discretely.
All modern medical items should be concealed in period-style
containers and used as discretely as possible. With this in mind, please DO NOT to attempt to go without your medications.
If you require medication that would be difficult to hide or disguise, please contact the event coordinator and we will work
toward a solution to meet the events and your needs.
Cooking Equipment
and Food
Food, cooking equipment, water
containers, etc. should all be based on what would be typical for the time and place. If possible, please store food in containers
appropriate to 1860 or before; if modern food storage is required, please keep them hidden from view of other participants
and the public.
Safety
In case of a 21st century emergency anything like, "call 911" or "get
a paramedic" should instantly tell us that it is a real emergency and not part of play. Participants are urged not to
ignore signs of medical problems. Participants are also urged that if they believe it necessary, they should have a medical
health card denoting name, allergies (including medicines that should not be administered), current medications, insurance,
and emergency contact.
NO illegal drugs. This is a zero tolerance policy.
Vehicles will
not be allowed within the site between 7:00 a.m. Saturday and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. If you need to leave between those hours,
please contact the event coordinator and help will be arranged to remove your things to your vehicle outside the site boundaries.
If you wish
to partake of alcoholic beverages, please do so responsibly and only after 5:00 p.m. when the site closes. Drunken behavior
deemed to be unsafe will result in the participant's expulsion from the event. Remember, although we are not technically
volunteers of Pioneer Farms, the public will probably not make a distinction between us and the site. Our conduct will directly
reflect on the site.
