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 © 2007-2009 Perryville Historic Battlefield

Living History Village

Participants in the Living History Village must remain in their historical impressions for the entire program.  Anachronistic items and Modern clothes are not acceptable at any time in this area during the event.

The Living History Area is reserved for authentic civilians who wish to recreate the lives of local citizens around the time of the Battle of Perryville.  This area will be interactive with the public and all participants will need to have a functioning impression that is relevant to a central Kentucky farming community. All participants will closely observe the standards and rules for this area. Participants must complete the information relevant to the Living History Area on the registration form and submit that information with regular registration. 

Impression
Perryville, Kentucky was a typical upper south farming community and most of its citizens were yeoman farmers. The community resided at the conflux of several main roadways that transverse the Kentucky countryside.  Perryville contained several successful merchants and professionals that maintained offices and shops on what is today known as Merchant’s Row. Impressions therefore can reflect the diversity, which was present in the original 19^th century community.  Please refer to the “Owners of the Battlefield” document on the website. The research contained there in will assist those seeking to do an accurate impression of Perryville’s Civil War citizenry.

Civilian participants will be portraying local citizens during the days immediately surrounding the battle.  During the early part of September 1862 there would have been an occasional Union military presence; however, as October approached there was a significant amount of Confederate forces in the area. Braxton Bragg and his officers came through Perryville on their way to Frankfort in early October. Between October 1^st and October 8^th Perryville was between two Confederate armies and no Union troops were present in the town. On October 7th, Bragg's entire army marched from Springfield through Perryville towards Harrodsburg.  Hardee's wing began emplacing artillery on the high ground west of town.  As soon as the Confederates started to emplace cannon, most of the citizens, decided to go visit relatives. As the battle raged, Perryville was well behind Confederate lines until about sundown when Powel's Confederate brigade retreated from the Springfield road, across the Chaplin, followed closely by Carlin's Union brigade.  The Federals were stopped by the counter-attack of Preston-Smith's Reserve brigade. On the evening of October 8th, the Union controlled the west of the Chaplin, the Confederates controlled the East.  The Confederates completely evacuated the area on October 9^th around 9:00am and the Union Army (2nd Corps) marched in from the Lebanon road to martial music.

• Captain John W. Tuttle of Company “G”, 3rd Kentucky Infantry U.S. wrote in his diary: “Thursday Oct. 9th. Rose from my earthy couch this morning in a capital frame of mind and body for the desperate struggle we expected to go into. Our recent hard marches, exposure, loss of sleep, eating but one [hardtack] cracker since leaving Springfield [KY], and the excitement of the occasion gave me a fine high fever which trebled my strength and made me as blood thirsty as a tiger. But we got no fight. We remained in line until 2 P.M. without advancing a step.  The enemy retreated at 9 A.M. Our commanders having thoroughly satisfied themselves that the enemy was certainly gone, marched us in triumph into town by the right flank and at route step to the patriotic air, ‘Go to boots’ ”.  

Union forces occupied the town and began the clean up. Nearly every structure in town was used as a hospital as wounded men were taken from the battlefield. After October 9^th the only Confederates remaining in Perryville would be POWs, wounded and parolees.

There is a great opportunity for numerous impressions reflecting the circumstances in Perryville during this time. The Living History Village will be occupied by Confederate forces on Friday and Saturday before the battle and then will change occupiers immediately after the battle on Saturday. Union forces will take over and occupy the town on Saturday afternoon until the event’s conclusion on Sunday.

The impression will be semi-immersion and all participants are encouraged to do first person, but may develop a third person conversation with the visiting public.  This will allow the visitor to better understand the civilian scenarios. Further – those that are doing demonstrations are encouraged to interact with the visiting public via third person.  Interaction between guests and participants is highly recommended. All participants with a military impression will be required to participate in drill sessions as well as battle scenarios.

Clothing
* Civilians must wear apparel, including head coverings, made by period pattern and construction techniques, of material like that available during the late 1850s and early 1860s.
* Cotton, wool, or blended cotton work dresses in checks, plaid stripes, or period prints with corded petticoats is acceptable. Absolutely no skirts with white blouses and/or jackets are allowed. Mismatched skirts and bodices are only appropriate for exceptionally poor or refugee impressions.
* Period correct ladies headgear including slat or quilted bonnets, and knitted hoods are encouraged. Some high fashion bonnets will be allowed due to the particular nature of the occupants of Harrodsburg.
* Collars and cuffs with dresses please.
* Absolutely no modern undergarments or modern clothing beneath period attire – Please wear period correct undergarments.
* Modern stockings and shoes are not acceptable under any circumstances unless they are constructed in such a way as to pass for period shoes.
* Men should not appear in public without vest or coat. Sack or frock coats in appropriate materials are acceptable. Jean cloth, kersey, linsey, broadcloth, satinette material is suitable for men’s attire.
* Period correct men’s stiff brimmed hats or caps only.
* Neckwear should be appropriate to the period and worn in the correct way.
* Period appropriate children’s clothing only. No modern footwear.
* Children should not be dressed in military uniforms. Military influences can be reflected in children clothing, but miniaturized uniforms are prohibited.
* Please refer to military impressions for all CS participants in Living History Village.

• Personal Appearance
  * Hairstyles for women should have a center part without bangs. Modern hairstyles must be disguised with appropriate head covering. No “snoods.” Please no hairdressing in public.
  * Men’s period correct hairstyles and facial hair only.
  * Modern makeup and nail polish will not be allowed.
  * Only period eyeglasses or contact lenses are allowed.
  * No modern jewelry or watches. Please avoid “high fashion” jewelry.

Please remember to adjust your impression to the social status that you are attempting to portray.

• 
  Generalities
  * All participants (including children) must remain in period correct clothing during event.
  * Infant necessities such as bottles and diapers must be kept from site.
  * No modern toys.
  * Children must be attended at all times.
  * No anachronistic items may be visible at any time during the event.
  * All furnishings, cooking items, utensils, bedding, and food containers must be of appropriate period type, material and style.
  * No military participants may camp in the authentic civilian camp. All military visitors should keep visits to a strict minimum.
  * These items are strictly prohibited: cell phones, cigarettes, and electronic gadgets such as radios and CD players.
  * Please keep cameras concealed during the event.
  * Camp Commander will be responsible for enforcing these standards and may at anytime ask participants to leave if they are not following the above written guidelines.

To participate in the Living History Village please contact Beverly Simpson – Camp Coordinator at markbeve@bellsouth.net to arrange for your particular impression.