Manassas Living History Standards

Living historians representing the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry at Brawner Farm

NPS/Trusso

LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Purpose and Intent

The goal of the Manassas National Battlefield Park Living History Authenticity 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 that took place on the Manassas landscape, which ultimately led to a reunified country and the abolition of slavery. The program standards serve as the overarching framework to define the macro goals and objectives of the program, define administrative roles and procedures, and provide further details on requirements for interpretation, material culture, and historic weapons.

Living history programs can be an effective tool to capture public interest and encourage understanding of the primary interpretive themes of Manassas National Battlefield Park (NBP). Living history, is a combination of three major components: accurate material culture, correct deportment and historical trades/skills, and professional quality interpretation. All three of these need to be maintained and work in concert with one another in order to meet the mission of the living history program. These standards will define those elements and provide a unified standard that will be met by all living history participants to ensure we meet the overarching mission of accurately representing the individuals who experienced the historic events that took place here and to connect the visitors to those experiences and the history of the park.

Note: Living history standards below are all based in and in accordance with the following relevant authorities

eCFR :: 36 CFR Chapter I -- National Park Service, Department of the Interior
NPS_Management Policies 2006
Director's Order #6: Interpretation and Education (nps.gov)
Director's Order #7: Volunteers-in-Parks (nps.gov)
Policies Relating To Historic Weapons Demonstrations (nps.gov)

 

Manassas NBP Living History Standards

Safety

The safety of participants and the public is a primary concern for all interpretive programs. The demonstrations of historic weapons and equipment can contribute significantly to visitor understanding and appreciation of the park’s resources and themes. Equipment designed for use in warfare, including weapons, present unique hazards that must be mitigated by adhering to all applicable safety standards including a rigorous training regimen and constant awareness of hazardous situations during living history programs. All demonstrations will follow the National Park Service’s guidelines for the use of historic weapons.  All misfires will be handled following these regulations.

Interpretive Themes

Living history programs will generally interpret the following time periods:

MILITARY:

• July 1861 – The Campaign and Battle of First Manassas

• Winter 1861-Summer 1862 – Period between both battles when both armies moved across the battlefield landscape.

· Winter Encampment of Cadmus Wilcox’s Confederate Brigade on the battlefield

· Return of the United States Army into the area in March 1862

• August 1862: Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas

• 1863-1865: Union occupation of Northern Virginia and Confederate partisans operating in the area (ex. Mosby)

CIVILIAN:

• Antebellum (1850-1860) Civilian Life: highlighting traditional trades, agricultural practices, domestic life, and social experiences.

• Wartime Civilian Experience (1861-1865)

• Post-war/Reconstruction Era Civilian Experience (1865-1880s)

---

All formal and informal living history programs will contribute to visitor understanding of one or more of the following themes:

1. The Civil War was the result of decades of increasing divisiveness caused primarily by the issue of slavery that pulled the nation apart economically, socially, and politically.

2. The soldiers who fought at First Manassas consisted of largely amateur soldiers who harbored naïve notions of a quick war that were shattered after a full day of combat.

3. The soldiers who fought at Second Manassas were, for the most part, battle-hardened veterans. Their backgrounds varied as much as their reasons for being there. Their experience in combat and the aftermath of battle were both uniquely individual and universal.

4. The experience of the civilians, free and enslaved, who inhabited the battlefield landscape of Manassas, reflects the changing nature of the Civil War, leading variously to hardship, sacrifice, and freedom for those who lived here.

5. The traditional trades and local industry of the area shaped the formation of the landscape (to include both the larger context as well as the built environment) and the social understanding of that space.

6. The comparative changes in leadership, army strength, and weaponry in the months during and between the two battles of Manassas illustrate the application and advancement of 19th-century military science and technology, as well as the mobilization of both Northern and Southern society to achieve the aims of an expanding war effort.

7. Competing early memorialization: 6 weeks after the Battle of First Manassas, Confederate soldiers placed a monument on Henry Hill to a colonel killed here, with the goal of creating a martyr and legitimacy to their young cause. The early attempts at memorialization by the United States Army at Manassas in 1865. These 1865 monuments show that despite the two loses the army suffered on this field, that the ultimate goal of the war of ending slavery and reunifying the country began here.

A member of the park still will ensure each individual participant, or the group leader, receives a copy of these themes at least one week prior to the program date. The ranger will also review park themes and living history objectives with all participants prior to the first program.

---

Interpretive Program Types

There is a wide array of interpretive program types that utilize living history as the primary tool to engage and connect the visitor to the history of the park. The program types listed below provide a framework for the general categories of programs offered by the park. Sometimes there may be a combination of multiple program types throughout an event. These guidelines serve as a framework for these programs and to establish basic guidance for future undertakings.

Note for Military Living History programs: ALL military living history portrayals WILL have a specific unit that they are portraying to at least the regimental level. There will not be “generic” impressions for any event or program.
 

Other Demonstrations

All other demonstrations not outlined in the following sections will follow the basic tenants provided in this document with a focus on specified interpretive themes while being adherence with the authenticity standards. Whereas living history can be a useful tool in a very simplified environment to enhance educational programs, it is important that even in these less immersive environments the same level of care and attention is paid to the quality of the impression and direct connection back to key interpretive themes.

Authenticity Standards

INTRODUCTION

Authenticity standards are an integral part in ensuring that living history events are in compliance with NPS policy and in alignment with the park mission to accurately represent the history of the events that occurred within the park. Modern clothing, equipment, and other items are strictly prohibited. Cell phone use by participants is not allowed unless given prior approval by NPS event coordinator but must remain discrete.

Qualified volunteers representing cultures not documented as participating in the Battles at Manassas may participate in living history programs. Women may participate in historic weapons demonstrations, provided they meet all training requirements and make a reasonable effort to appear as a male soldier as was done by women who served during the American Civil War.

---

ATHENTICITY GUIDELINES & STANDARDS

Essential to living history is the quality of the material culture being presented to the public. Whereas the visual element of living history is a compelling and powerful tool aiding in the interpretation, it is critical to have even the little details correct. What is unspoken by the interpreter, is voiced by the material culture. In this way, poor quality reproductions are more detrimental to the overall interpretation than if they were not present.

The standards for authenticity are organized from at a high level under the Macro Standards and refined further for specific time periods and unit impressions under the Impression Guidelines. The Macro Standards is the largest category dividing the authenticity standards into three primary categories: Unacceptable, Acceptable, and Preferred.

Due to the unique nature of the First and Second Battles of Manassas, the Impression Guidelines further refines for all living history programs depending on the period of interpretation and the specific unit portrayed for the program. The park will provide a series of various impression guidelines for specific units that were present in the area at different times. Any unit not covered by the Impression Guidelines will require specific park approval and coordination prior to any event in which a specific non-covered unit is desired to be portrayed.

---

MACRO STANDARDS FOR AUTHENTICITY

This high-level breakdown of authenticity guidelines provides the macro view of what is categorically not allowed and what is acceptable/preferred by the park. These guidelines utilize clothing as an example but are applicable to all facets of material culture including equipment, accoutrements, tack, harness, weapons, etc. Some limited examples will be given for each category to provide practical framework for the items in each category. The Macro Standards for Authenticity are broken into three tiered categories: Unacceptable, Acceptable, and Preferred.

All living historians should be striving to achieve the quality set forth in the Preferred category. These guidelines are subject to change and will increase in stringency in the future. In some cases, these items in the unacceptable category will be gradually phased out by 2025 when the standards will be fully implemented. Please coordinate with MNBP staff to determine if your item is eligible to be used in the interim phasing. All items may be subject to further review by MNBP staff to ensure they meet the park’s authenticity standards.

 

---

MACRO STANDARDS

 

UNACCEPTABLE

Items in this category may not be worn/used. These are generally items that are anachronisms or are items not based in documented history. These items use incorrect materials, patterns, and construction techniques. Poorly constructed items (without historical precedent) are also unacceptable.

Examples of Unacceptable Items

· Clothing/Garments: A common “sutler row” or “mainstream” quality jacket that is not patterned off any original jacket and utilizes incorrect modern materials/construction techniques.

· Headgear: Modern cowboy hats, low quality “mainstream” kepis/forage caps.

· Accoutrements and Equipment: Stainless steel canteens. Poor quality imported accoutrements utilizing incorrect weight leather and incorrect construction techniques.

· Blankets: Non-period quilts, southwest styled woven blankets, and 20th century military surplus blankets.

· Camp Equipage: Tentage not derived from originals/historic patterns (like common sutler row canvas tentage) is entirely unacceptable.

· Cookware: Post civil war cast iron skillets, “cowboy” frying pans, and “old-timey jugs” are unacceptable

· Anachronisms: Both authentic and non-authentic items that did not exist at the time period being portrayed are likewise unacceptable.

---

ACCEPTABLE

This is the basic requirement meeting acceptable levels of authenticity. Items in this category are of a correct pattern and material(s) but may have compromises that are not readily visible to the public, such as in interior construction techniques.

Examples of Acceptable Items.

· Clothing/Garments: Clothing in this category follows basic correct patterns and materiality but allows for extensive machine stitching. Hand-stitching where appropriate is preferred but not required. An example would be a Richmond Depot style jacket with extensive machine stitching, to potentially include top stitching where originally was not as common.

o NOTE: For 2024, machine sewn buttonholes will be allowable, however by 2025, garments with these construction techniques will become Unacceptable.

· Headgear: An 1858 federal dress hat, or “Hardee” hat, that is the correct form and pattern, but utilizes a slightly heavier wool felt material than the original thin (often rabbit) felt and trimmed with imported/lower quality brass insignia or a modern dyed worsted wool hat cord.

· Accoutrements and Equipment: A correctly patterned generic confederate cartridge box but that utilizes a generic finial type. A correct US 1858 tin canteen that uses a generic cork and cord.

· Blankets: Woolrich or similar quality blankets are acceptable provided they have modern end bindings removed (replacement with period correct bindings is acceptable if desired)

· Camp Equipage: Tentage, like a US Shelter Half, that utilizes some modern elements like brass gromets will be acceptable until 2026.

· Cookware: Correct individual mess equipment, like a canteen half or a personal frying pan.

---

PREFFERED

This category reflects the current research of members of the living history community. These items are completely based upon documented originals or utilize a significant body of historical research to inform their construction. All patterns, materiality, construction techniques are directly replicated based on originals or extensive historical documentation.

Examples of Preferred Items:

· Clothing/Garments: Completely handsewn, logwood dyed jean cloth Richmond Clothing Bureau “Type I” jacket patterned off of original “Type II” Jackets and trimmed with appropriate branch trim based on original surviving tin type images.

· Headgear: A US 1858 Enlisted Infantry Dress hat made of the correct weight shellacked rabbit fur felt with indigo dyed hat cord and brass insignia of domestic manufacture utilizing original or replicated dye stampings and correct backings.

· Accoutrements and Equipment: Correctly patterned 1857 US 69cal round ball box utilizing correct weight leather and replicating the specific details of that pattern cartridge box, i.e. inclusion of the added sewn belt loops.

· Blankets: blankets using correct looms and weaves with proper period selvedge edges, correctly died yarns, and based off of original examples.

· Camp Equipage: US Shelter half with correct pattern and correct weight canvas/fabric with handsewn grommets, period correct rope guy lines, and markings.

· Cookware: Correct unit mess equipment for confederate company mess impressions utilizing original or reproduction cast iron pots and spiders of the correct pattern.

Impression Guidelines

The below section describes the general categories by time period for military living history impressions and the list of on-hand approved impression guidelines for units within those time periods. The full authenticity guidelines for each specific unit portrayal will be provided in an appendix to this document and published on the park web page.

1861 FIRST MANASSAS

As citizens rushed to their colors in droves, outfitting the nascent armies was a challenge that resulted in an eclectic array of uniforms. When the armies clashed on the plains west of Bull Run, there were over 200 different documented uniforms. There is truly no generic “1861” uniform for either the United States for the Confederate States. Below is the list of impression guidelines presently approved by the park. Any unit present at the battle, but not listed, will require prior coordination with the park to develop/approve impression guidelines, however this is readily welcomed.

· Virginia Militia (Infantry) - 1858/59 Regulation Dress (various VA companies)

· 1st MN

· 11th NY

· 33rd VA

· 4th VA Co. I, Liberty Hall Volunteers

· 5th US Artillery

· 2nd RI

· US Regulars
 

WINTER OF 1861-1862

With relatively few units occupying the grounds in and around the immediate area of the present-day Manassas National Battlefield Park. It was described as a “dull hard time” by one Alabama soldier in Wilcox’s Brigade while they occupied ground on the Portici plantation. In addition to infantry occupying winter quarters in the park/region, Confederate cavalry units also were in the area in quarters but also rotated out on picket duty. By March however, the confederate army would abandon its line and winter quarters. The Union Army would move on Manassas and in one instance the 20th NYSM would go to tour the Bull Run Battlefield and spend the night in the confederate winter quarters at Portici.

· Wilcox’s Brigade

· 4th VA Cavalry

· 20th NYSM

1862 SECOND MANASSAS

For 1862, the war had taken a different cast and the military industrial complexes of both North and South had begun to standardize uniforms more. For this reason, a basic 1862 Federal and Confederate infantry impression has been provided as a reference point for the living historian to serve as a general basis from which to further refine a unit portrayal.

· 33rd VA

· 2nd WI

· 21st GA

· 4th TX

· 20th NYSM

· 82nd Ohio

· US Regulars

1863-1865 FEDERAL OCCUPATION PERIOD

After the two battles of Manassas, the lands within the present-day park were occupied Union territory being traversed and actively occupied in instances by Union forces. Cavalry patrols moved through the area regularly but not without incident. Mosby’s partisan rangers operated through the park itself and in one instance ambushed a patrol of NY Cavalry near the Stone House.

· Mosby’s Rangers

· 10th NY Cavalry

· US Artillery (2nd RI Light Artillery)

Historic Weapons Demonstrations

Historic weapons demonstrations include a wide breadth of interpretive program types within that category that can add materially to the understanding of the battles and campaigns. These demonstrations can vary from static firing demonstrations to tactical maneuvers/drill programs all the way up to the combination of firing demonstrations with a recreated tactical scenario.

The safety of participants and the public is a primary concern for all interpretive programs. The demonstrations of historic weapons and equipment can contribute significantly to visitor understanding and appreciation of the park’s resources and themes. Equipment designed for use in warfare, including weapons, present unique hazards that must be mitigated by adhering to all applicable safety standards including a rigorous training regimen and constant awareness of hazardous situations during living history programs. All demonstrations will follow the National Park Service’s guidelines for the use of historic weapons. All misfires will be handled following these regulations.

• All historic weapons demonstrations will conform to NPS Historic Weapons regulations and the appropriate NPS manual(s). Manuals will be provided to the groups prior to their arrival to the park.

• Demonstrators must exhibit safe drill and handling of weapon and ensure that their weapon passes inspection prior to take part in program.

• All participants in historic weapons demonstrations must be at least 16 years old.

• Tactical maneuvers with or without firing demonstrations will require prior approval and coordination with MNBP staff.

Camp Interpretation

• Effective interpretation relies on articulated themes, goals, objectives, and appropriate interpretive techniques. Living history interpretation at Manassas NBP will:

• Utilize the third person voice. Portrayals of actual individuals or performances embodying real personages will not be permitted.

• Authenticity standards will be followed. Modern conveniences and items will not be visible in camp. Tentage and equipment should be kept to a minimum and adhere to the historically available equipment for each impression.

• Style of interpretation, outside of Historic Weapons Demonstrations, will be informal with visitors into camp area.

• The camp is to be an interpretive area where volunteers actively engage visitors in the life of a historic Civil War camp. Volunteers and employees in the camp should consider the same standards to apply as apply to employees and volunteers working in the park visitor center or at any other staffed location in the park.

• An employee or volunteer will supervise all fires. No visitor should be permitted within five feet of a fire.

• A member of the park staff will work with the group to determine whether the interpretive program’s needs are best met through a campaign style camp set-up or a more static (garrison style) camp.

• Volunteers under the age of 14 may not participate in military camp activities. Historians estimate that less than five percent of soldiers were under the age of seventeen. Few documented cases of children younger than fourteen exist.

• The presence of civilians is not permitted in the military camp area unless they are filling a documented support role for the period being interpreted.

• Group members will greet all visitors as they enter the camp area and provide guidance as to the interpretive opportunities within the camp.

• Fires and stacked arms will be always supervised by a group member. For all operational periods, a member of the group will be assigned this task. All non-period equipment, clothing, supplies, food, and furniture will not be visible to visitors during park hours (sunrise to sunset) when the public may enter you camp area.

• All volunteers will comport themselves in a manner consistent with the duties and guidelines contained in The 1865 Customs of Service for Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers and The Customs of Service for Officers of the Army by August V. Kautz when in the presence of visitors.
• Activities that group members are encouraged to demonstrate and/or interpret in camp include but are not limited to:
  • Roll Calls
  • Inspections
  • Sick Call
  • Mail Call
  • Guard Mount
  • Reading & Writing Letters
  • Ration Issue and Preparation
  • Equipment and Clothing Maintenance
  • Games
  • Music
  • Fatigue Duties
  • Punishments
  • Other activities that can be documented with primary sources as representative of the daily life of the unit being portrayed.

Civilian Interpretation

Volunteers in civilian clothing may participate in the living history program under the following conditions:

• Civilian interpretation will support the interpretive themes the National Park Service establishes for the event. A separate area for civilian interpretation will be established to help visitors transition between military and civilian interpretation. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted if civilians are demonstrating and/or interpreting documented civilian roles in a military camp or interactions between civilians and soldiers.

• Events may take place throughout the calendar year which are solely meant for civilian living history. Prospective living history groups interested in taking part in the Manassas NBP living history program will follow the same process as outlined above for military groups.

• Each civilian volunteer will demonstrate lifeway activities that are documented by primary sources as being representative of civilian activities during the Civil War; AND demonstrate the ability to connect the general nature of any demonstrations or displays to documented events connected to the Battles at Manassas, the civilians who called the battlefield landscape home, and/or life in Prince William County, Virginia before/during the American Civil War

• Demonstrated activities must have a documented connection to interpreted events, and volunteers must be able to effectively use displays and demonstrations to help visitors understand the interpretive themes.

• All volunteers under the age of eighteen may participate in civilian programs provided they meet the requirements above. The presence of children in period costume in an interpretive area can be both a distraction and a safety hazard unless they are directly contributing to the programs.

• All volunteers ages twelve and under must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian.

• Volunteers under the age of eighteen may not participate in interpretive activities in areas that present high safety risks, such as fires, spinning wheels, manufacture of dyes and soap, etc.

Traditional Trades Guidelines

• Demonstrations utilizing other reproduction tools and equipment of the Civil War will follow written park guidelines and be supported by primary source documentation.

• Careful attention will be paid to safety hazards. Remember weapons are not the only things that can cause injuries.

• An employee or volunteer will supervise any displays or demonstrations using sharp tools.

• Visual or physical barriers may be necessary to keep visitors at a safe distance when demonstrating the use of tools and equipment.

Logistics

• All participant vehicles will be parked in the area(s) designated by the National Park Service.
• Groups may bring limited vehicles into the camp area to load and unload camp equipment but must move them immediately after unloading. Vehicle use off of paved areas will be dictated and approved by the NPS event coordinator.
• If camped on Henry Hill near the Henry House: Groups will make use of the Henry Farm Driveway, accessible via Sudley Road (Rt. 234) to set-up and tear-down camp.  No vehicles will be allowed to drive on Henry Hill other than using this driveway.
• Groups wishing to make use of a campsite outside of Henry Hill will coordinate with the park Living History coordinator in advance.
• Park will provide firewood, a surface fire area, water, and restroom facilities. Volunteers will only use firewood provided by the Park Service. Participants will utilize only NPS provided water sources unless prior authorization is received from the NPS event coordinator.

Each individual park volunteer or group leader will be provided a copy of these guidelines and will acknowledge receipt.  

Other Demonstrations

• Demonstrations utilizing other reproduction tools and equipment of the Civil War will follow written park guidelines and be supported by primary source documentation.
• Careful attention will be paid to safety hazards. Remember weapons are not the only things that can cause injuries.
• An employee or volunteer will supervise any displays or demonstrations using sharp tools.
• Visual or physical barriers may be necessary to keep visitors at a safe distance when demonstrating the use of tools and equipment.

Volunteers in Parks Program

Participants in living history programs at Manassas serve as volunteers representing the National Park Service (NPS) and the Manassas National Battlefield Parks and will be held to the same professional standards of park staff. All participants will be registered as NPS volunteers through either an individual or group agreement.

• Any volunteers under the age of 18 must have a signed parental permission statement.

• Volunteers represent the National Park Service to the public and must conform with all performance standards that apply to employees.

• Our primary mission is to share the unique resources and stories of Manassas NBP with the public. Volunteers are expected to always provide the highest level of service to visitors when they are in the park.
 

---

The Tudor Hall Guard

The Tudor Hall Guard is the Manassas National Battlefield Park’s living history program composed of specially trained park rangers and volunteers. The Tudor Hall Guard (THG) interprets multiple stories through both military and civilian living history programs. The THG has high standards focused on authenticity and quality interpretation. The THG is broken down into five operational units: Infantry, Artillery, Mounted Services, Auxiliary/Medical Services, and Civilian. Applications to join the THG will be reviewed by Park Staff. If interested, please contact the park’s living history coordinator.

---

Outside Groups and Units

Starting in January 2024, all prospective living history groups, regardless of past participation at NPS or Manassas National Battlefield events, wishing to be part of the Manassas NBP Living History Program must complete a Living History Group Application. This application will evaluate the applicants for organizational adherence and alignment to these standards and provide the necessary framework to ensure future compliance. Invitations for events will be extended and/or coordinated by park staff with final approval given by the Chief of Interpretation for any group that has been reviewed and approved under this park policy.  If your group is interested in volunteering at the park, please send us an email and we will send you the application form. 

Coordination and Logistics

For all outside groups and units that are working with MNBP to host to a living history event or program, proper coordination is paramount to ensure the success of the event and to protect the park’s resources. Below is the list of basic requirements for all outside groups conducting an event at the park. Additional event specific requirements for logistics will be provided to the outside group/unit during the planning period with the park.

o All groups/units (with an approved Living History Unit Application) wishing to host an event at the park must notify the park at least 60-days in advance.

o All groups/units will provide a primary POC for coordinating all logistics prior to and during the event as well as post event clean-up/recovery operations.

o During event planning, a detailed timeline providing arrival and departure timetables will be provided to the park. Operation outside of these timetables (i.e. arriving a whole day prior to an event and expecting to camp on site) will not be permitted without prior special exception provided by an NPS Agency Official.

o Groups wishing to bring limited vehicles or trailers into a camp area to load and unload camp equipment but must coordinate these requests prior to the event. Routes of ingress/egress for the vehicles must be identified and approved prior to the event. Vehicles and trailers must be moved immediately after unloading.

o NO vehicles or trailers are permitted to be operated outside of designated areas during the events without the express consent of an NPS Agency Official.

o All participant vehicles will be parked in the area(s) designated by the National Park Service.

o Park will provide firewood, a surface fire area, water, and restroom facilities. Volunteers will only use firewood provided by the Park Service. Participants will utilize only NPS provided water sources unless prior authorization is received from the NPS event coordinator.

o No ground disturbance (i.e. digging a fire pit) is permitted and is permitted for any purpose.