ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. — More than 20 reenactor groups gathered at the Gettysburg Heritage Center, ranging from the Revolutionary War to World War II.
Executive Director, Stephanie Lightner, says the event hopes to address a shortage of reenactor volunteers.
War reenactment groups have been short on volunteers since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They like to get together to try to have these types of events to bring awareness to their hobby, with it being visitors it’s not always the audience whereas promoting it as this type of event allows people to get the right people and the right audience,” Lightner said.
Some groups are offering past member equipment for anyone interested in volunteering.
Purchasing period accurate attire and equipment can sometimes cost volunteers thousands of dollars.
Although the museum spotlights the American Civil War, there were reenactors from all periods of American history.
Ray Lewandowski participated as a U.S. Airborne trooper from World War II.
He wanted to fill the boots left behind by retired reenactors.
“They have other things they have to worry about, it doesn’t leave a whole lot of options and considering as how I want to become a teacher, this is a way for me to understand who the guys were and what they did,” Lewandowski said.
The museum was open to the public for guests to interact with the actors.
Organizers at the Gettysburg Heritage Museum believe that the best way to learn about history is to step back in for yourself.
“It gives you a way better experience of learning than just reading about in a book or watching a movie,” Lewandowski said.
“They’re having that personal engagement; they’re getting that idea of different time periods in history,” Lightner added.
Organizers hope to make recruitment day an annual event and add more groups every year.