It may seem harsh to some people, especially as most re-enactors engage in this practice with the best of intentions, however naive. NAoPrIH would be pleased to hear from any professional interpretive historians who work full time in education and whos aim is to make a living as such. There has to be a clear cut distinction made between the enthusiastic amateur and the professional. There have to be guidelines, as in any profession and those who refuse to accept this must be discouraged. NAoPrIH however does not aim do discourage those who truly wish to undertake this form of teaching as a professional, but to encourage all those already engaged to work to a much higher standard.
All genuine comments welcome.
I am just about to start doing work with a museum which will involve conact with children for the first time. They are doing all the foot-work, but I only know what you have wrritten about the national curriculum, having specialised in working with adults up to now. Very interested in reading Martin's piece, sounds very much like a Gild to me. The reason why some reenactors are amateurs are they have jobs that pay mortgages. As a teacher, a reenactor and a former museum worker I know which one pays the most.