Living History Costume and Equipment Standards

The goal of the Bent’s Old Fort Historic Costume Standards is to accurately represent (to the best of our ability) and honor the memory of those who lived through and participated in the events connected to the business enterprises of William and Charles Bent and their business partner, Ceran St. Vrain, and their employees and customers from the United States, New Mexico, Mexico, and the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Kiowa, and Comanche nations. The fort also hosted others, including Eastern Native Americans, African Americans (both enslaved and free), French Canadians, Stephen Watt Kearney’s Army of the West, the Mormon Battalion, and merchants traveling the Santa Fe Trail.

All clothing should be made using the materials, style, fit, and construction appropriate for Bent’s Old Fort, with a focus on 1830-1849; for special emphasis programs a wider time span from 1800-1920 could be considered, with approval. In general, this means that machine sewing is either carefully hidden or replaced by hand sewing. Cloth used to make replica clothing should be all natural and does not include polyester, nylon, or other synthetic fabrics. This is true not only for reasons of authenticity, but also for fire safety.

These standards are listed in three categories: Meets Standard, Exceeds Standard, Unacceptable.

• The "Standard" category represents the basic requirement. Clothing in this category allows for machine stitching on hidden seams and interior components. Hand-finishing is preferred but not required.
• The descriptions in the "Exceeds Standard" category reflect the current research of members of the living history community. Clothing in this category is highly documented and hand sewn.
• Please know that certain items in the "Exceeds Standard" category may be commercially unavailable at this time or expensive to obtain without sewing skills.
• We encourage but do not expect all our Living History volunteers to outfit themselves as outlined in the "Exceeds Standard" category.
• Items listed as Unacceptable may not be worn/used.

Historic Costume and Equipment Standards are to be reviewed at least annually and updated as needed.

Proposed standards are being reviewed now.