Take a slice at the macro level. For example, no privies at Williamsburg, but then don't show up with a Civil War re-enactors group, either.

Pick one's time slice, do the research, get all the players on board and do it.

A fine and valid technical historian's approach - but to what extent are marketing considerations involved? If people want to see Civil War reenactments in Williamsburg, why not do them - since Williamsburg lived through the War. If doing an event like that - "Williamsburg in the Civil War" can tie into that part of that city's history it seems fair game, IF it will attract visitation in adequate supply to make it profitable to produce, open up the colonial site to a post-colonial market, and is at least as valid as the recreation itself. Maybe there was a Battle of Williamsburg - not my area of expertise, I don't know. Maybe there should have been, or if there had been one, what would it have been like........and could we create one that will make people want to come out and take part?

If our missions allow us to deviate from a strict regimen of interpreting history exactly and stray into event production to raise funds and awareness to support our primary goal, we can't afford to think only within a box. Thomas the Tank Engine, Polar Express, etc. are good examples of highly commercially supported events for hire - many reputable museums raise funds with these events. I'm volunteering to work on a Santa Claus train this weekend to help a museum raise funds. Fiction is useful and marketable when used creatively, and done well.

Offering a fiction and selling it as historic truth is another ballgame - with no integrity. Do we actually believe what we see is true sportsmanship in professional wrestling? People are making real money promoting it, however.........if the National Regional Railroad Museum can promote a grudge match between Arnold Schwartznegger and Hulk Hogan in a ring mounted on a moving flatcar and fund a new boiler from the proceeds, why not? I'm pretty sure these guys don't actually dislike each other, but in the context of a wrestling match, does that matter?

Yes and no, of course.........depending on who you ask.

So, I'm off to run trains to raise funds in an event made marketable through the intercession of a popular seasonal fictional character that has become tied in with a popular holiday based on an event that historically would have happened (if it happened at all) in Spring, but that was convenient to fictionally ally with a long standing tradition of Winter Solstice celebrations dating back to the dawning of time. It won't matter to the visitors who come out, ride the trains, interact with the large jolly gentleman and get their money's worth.

See you in a couple days. Best wishes.

dave