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Re: Westville AAR
I had an incredible time at Westville and I would like to echo the well-deserved praise that has been heaped on Jim Butler and Vicki Rumble. For those who didn't go, each person who registered got a envelope brimming with background, scenarios to be played out, and a portion of period scrip/stamps to facilitate the "economy" of Westville.
My only regrets were two-fold: As a clerk to the recruiting officer, I didn't have much free time to wander around the town and interact with everyone. We were outsiders, (which thankfully freed me from having to remember anyone's fist person name), so our interactions always followed introductions. There was no familiarity, no invitations to visit with people, etc. Also, I'd forgotten to hit the ATM to exchange for more period currency, so I couldn't interact with the local economy (read tavern) quite as much as I would have liked.
Here's my highlight reel for the weekend:
1) The amazing sensation of being in a working period town. I mean working because it was 3-D, and there was no sensation of any boundaries. I didn't do too much exploring, but there was no sensation of a dividing line between 2008 and 1861. It's impossible to describe if you weren't there.
2) The rich personalities and immense knowledge that each player brought to the table. It was highly evident that each person who was considering recruiting had major apprehensions about leaving his family and his obligations. There were several who had well thought-out reasons for NOT enlisting, such as Mr. Woodburn's character who reasoned that without commerce, there was no taxation to pay for the war effort, etc. The women of the town were reserved, and even those I knew in 2008, acted as if I was an outsider, and common courtesies had to be observed.
3) Chris, Gary, and Dylan in the woodshop. You'd never realize what talent, 1860's technology and hard work can produce. These guys added some amazing depth to what had been an old carpentry shop.
4) Jordan Roberts and Pat Craddock: Although I didn't see Mr. Craddock doing his repairs, I know that he did a good bit of carpentry repairs for the town, and I did see Jordan, (who is an actual brickmason at the age of 19 I believe) do several hundred dollars worth of repairs to some crumbling brickwork around town. He didn't talk much, he just walked barefoot around town, covered in dirt and quietly went about his business, which he obviously knew. I have to agree with other posters that a longer event, (maybe 3 whole days) in which some healthy repairs could be conducted would be a great event concept, and in the finest traditions of historical preservation.
5) I think one major advantage going forward for all the civilian participants is that it gave everyone a good idea of experiences that they would have carried to war. Most of us portray military soldiers, and at various times we have had to talk about "pre-war experiences" that we've oftentimes had to draw from books, or educated guesswork. Now, many of the participants have a ready-made persona, as well as a glimpse into the actual experiences of that person. Whether it be a postman, a mason, a carpenter, or a merchant, that glimpse is real.
6) Of course the tavern: I have to say we may have stumbled on to something here. The concept of "drinking for preservation" just might take a firmer hold then a fence-rail drive. :D
The fact that the barkeeps were able to make a nice donation to Westville (or "Wetville") was a welcomed touch. In a future event, I would like to see the tavern possibly set up in a larger building, but it still worked very well. Three cheers for the bully barkeeps.
Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram
I had an incredible time at Westville and I would like to echo the well-deserved praise that has been heaped on Jim Butler and Vicki Rumble. For those who didn't go, each person who registered got a envelope brimming with background, scenarios to be played out, and a portion of period scrip/stamps to facilitate the "economy" of Westville.
My only regrets were two-fold: As a clerk to the recruiting officer, I didn't have much free time to wander around the town and interact with everyone. We were outsiders, (which thankfully freed me from having to remember anyone's fist person name), so our interactions always followed introductions. There was no familiarity, no invitations to visit with people, etc. Also, I'd forgotten to hit the ATM to exchange for more period currency, so I couldn't interact with the local economy (read tavern) quite as much as I would have liked.
Here's my highlight reel for the weekend:
1) The amazing sensation of being in a working period town. I mean working because it was 3-D, and there was no sensation of any boundaries. I didn't do too much exploring, but there was no sensation of a dividing line between 2008 and 1861. It's impossible to describe if you weren't there.
2) The rich personalities and immense knowledge that each player brought to the table. It was highly evident that each person who was considering recruiting had major apprehensions about leaving his family and his obligations. There were several who had well thought-out reasons for NOT enlisting, such as Mr. Woodburn's character who reasoned that without commerce, there was no taxation to pay for the war effort, etc. The women of the town were reserved, and even those I knew in 2008, acted as if I was an outsider, and common courtesies had to be observed.
3) Chris, Gary, and Dylan in the woodshop. You'd never realize what talent, 1860's technology and hard work can produce. These guys added some amazing depth to what had been an old carpentry shop.
4) Jordan Roberts and Pat Craddock: Although I didn't see Mr. Craddock doing his repairs, I know that he did a good bit of carpentry repairs for the town, and I did see Jordan, (who is an actual brickmason at the age of 19 I believe) do several hundred dollars worth of repairs to some crumbling brickwork around town. He didn't talk much, he just walked barefoot around town, covered in dirt and quietly went about his business, which he obviously knew. I have to agree with other posters that a longer event, (maybe 3 whole days) in which some healthy repairs could be conducted would be a great event concept, and in the finest traditions of historical preservation.
5) I think one major advantage going forward for all the civilian participants is that it gave everyone a good idea of experiences that they would have carried to war. Most of us portray military soldiers, and at various times we have had to talk about "pre-war experiences" that we've oftentimes had to draw from books, or educated guesswork. Now, many of the participants have a ready-made persona, as well as a glimpse into the actual experiences of that person. Whether it be a postman, a mason, a carpenter, or a merchant, that glimpse is real.
6) Of course the tavern: I have to say we may have stumbled on to something here. The concept of "drinking for preservation" just might take a firmer hold then a fence-rail drive. :D
The fact that the barkeeps were able to make a nice donation to Westville (or "Wetville") was a welcomed touch. In a future event, I would like to see the tavern possibly set up in a larger building, but it still worked very well. Three cheers for the bully barkeeps.
Kind Regards,
Andrew Jerram
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