Bringing History to Life: The Work Behind Gettysburg’s Civil War Reenactment
-
Asia Tabb
Aired; July 28th, 2025.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
As tens of thousands of visitor’s flock to Gettysburg each year to witness dramatic Civil War reenactments, what they see on the battlefield is just the tip of the iceberg.
The team behind these large-scale events—including reenactors Chris and Doug Jones—is already deep in planning mode for 2026. “We started that last week,” said Doug, referring to preparations for next year’s reenactment. “A lot is just trying to get the right people in the right position and kind of letting them lead their teams… and make sure everybody has a good time and goes home safe and comes back next year.”
The Joneses emphasize that communication and pre-planning are everything. “We call it closing loops,” Doug said. “We’re communicating, we’re getting information back.”
The reenactments aren’t simply for show—they’re crafted with a level of historical detail and authenticity that makes them immersive and educational. “We take about a 300-yard by 300-yard snapshot of any given battle,” explained Chris. “Then we try to recreate what specifically happened in that area… based on the original maps, where the troops were, how they moved, who was involved.”
Each year brings something different. “It keeps it interesting for the reenactors,” said Chris. “And it keeps it fresh for the spectators and educational. It gives them a chance to see something different every year.”
But the work goes far beyond what’s visible on the field.
“So many people don’t think about what it takes behind the scenes,” said Chris. “We lay out the camps in a specific military style. Parking can be a logistical nightmare. You’re getting people off the highway into a hayfield and then back out again.”
Spectator safety is a major consideration too. “We rope off zones so everyone stays safe, but they can still see everything and get a good show.”
Despite the challenges, both reenactors are quick to inject humor into the experience.
“We’re asked at least once an event: ‘Is that wool hot?’” Chris laughed. “To which I always say—some women think so.”
He continued: “Do you sleep here? Yes. Do you eat that food over a fire? Yes. And no, we don’t use real bullets—we’ve found we have fewer reenactors that way.”
Still, the most persistent misconception about Civil War reenactors is that they’re simply “guys running around in costumes.”
“That is a misconception,” Chris said. “We really try to portray it as the 19th-century military organization—from generals to privates, the way we set up camp, conduct ourselves, even the customs of the time.”
It’s not just about entertainment—it’s about education and respect for history. “Part of our job is to show people: this is as close as we can get to making it how it was,” Chris said. “We welcome the questions, even the funny ones.”
One stereotype they’re eager to challenge? The notion that Confederate reenactors are “beer-drinking redneck racists.”
“That is absolutely not the case,” Chris said. “Some of the kindest, most wonderful people I know are Confederate reenactors.”
As they plan for 2026 and beyond, the team hopes to continue educating and engaging the public. “We want people to see this and experience it—to understand what happened here,” said Chris.
