Guidelines

Site Information Event Information Scenario

Registration Information Henkel Square Herald 2008 Photos

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 event coordinator; a suitable alternative can probably be found for most items. The event coordinator reserves the right to request a participant to leave the event if it is determined that they do not meet the minimum guidelines of the event.

Civilian Clothing and Appearance
Clothing should reflect the style, fabrics, and techniques of the late 1850s to 1861.
Most civilians will be members of middle to lower class farm families.
Clothing should be socio-economical, age and sex appropriate for your immpression and circumstances.
Modern eyeglasses are discouraged.
All participants must be appropriately clothed at all times, including children. It would be wise to bring a second dress, or pair of trousers should you have need of a change.
There is to be NO running around in underpinnings, keeping in mind the Victorian sense of modesty.
Hairstyles should appear as period and age appropriate as possible.
No visible body jewelry that would not have been appropriate for 1861.
No visible tatoos that would not have been appropriate for 1861.
Reproduction footwear is preferred. Modern footwear is acceptable if they appear to be reproduction and have been appropriately modified (ie: speed laces removed).

Adult Women
No modern undergarments should be worn (including a bra). Lower class women may choose to go without any supportive garment (stays or corset). In general plan to wear a cotton or linen chemise, appropriate stays or corset, drawers (if you will be wearing a hoop), and cotton, linen, or wool petticoats. Your skirt support should match your style of dress (no wide hoops under a simple cotton calico dress).
Cotton dresses should be of a reproduction calico, stripe or plain in appropriate construction. Solid colored cotton dresses are discouraged. 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).
Bodices and skirts must be of the same material unless you are destitute when you may have a mismatched bodice and skirt.
Modern makeup will be kept to a bear minimum such as sunscreen and lip balm.
Headwear should be age appropriate and suited to your impression. A slat bonnet will be suitable for most participants. Fashion bonnets may be worn with appropriate ensembles.

Adult Men
Men will be expected to wear a vest, overshirt and/or a coat when in public or with visitors. Shirt sleeves alone are suitable only when in the privacy of your house, for a destitute impression, or if you are doing hard labor.
Clothing should be of suitable fabric for the piece.
Clothing should be appropriate for age and economic status.
Properly blocked hats or caps should be worn outdoors.
Facial hair and hair styles should be worn in an appropriate style for 1861.

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.
Clothing should be of appriate fabric either cotton, wool, silk, or linen.
Modern infant items such as bottles, disposible diapers, pacifiers, should be kept out of sight.

Participants Under 18
Persons under 18 can participate; however, an adult responsible for the minor must also participate in the event.

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

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.

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 event’s and your needs.

Real Emergencies
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.

Other Considerations
NO illegal drugs. This is a zero tolerance policy.
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 Henkel Square, the public will probably not make a distinction between us and the site. Our conduct will directly reflect on the site.