Prairie Grove Reenactment
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: November 30, 2012
One man has been playing the part of Col. Douglas Kidd since 1980.
"You try and become that person as close as you can, and you need the mind set of, how did they do it back then?" Kidd said.
Getting into that mindset is what Dr. Gregory Benton at the University of Arkansas has been researching
"Some of the reenactors had family that fought and died at Prairie Grove and so for them to be able to relive this and tell other visitors what history was like for the south in particular is really a wonderful thing," Dr. Benton said.
For Kidd, it's hardly just a reenactment.
"I've actually ridden in the Army saddle in full pack, meaning weapons, sabors, pistol and everything one event we did 113 miles in 3 days," Kidd said.
The trip giving him a better grasp on how the soldiers survived, in turn teaching visitors what it was really like.
"The clothing that they wear is scratchy. They don't eat very well, they sleep on the ground, I mean it's not a comfortable hobby but people are very committed to it," Dr. Benton said.
Committed, because it matters.
"History forgotten will be repeated, and I think it's important to know what these men went through," Kidd said.
So when visiting the battlefield this weekend, it'll be like stepping back in time.
"We try and do a literal living history, making history come alive for the people to see."
The reenactment will be at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park at 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday and they're expecting 5 to 7,000 spectators.
"You try and become that person as close as you can, and you need the mind set of, how did they do it back then?" Kidd said.
Getting into that mindset is what Dr. Gregory Benton at the University of Arkansas has been researching
"Some of the reenactors had family that fought and died at Prairie Grove and so for them to be able to relive this and tell other visitors what history was like for the south in particular is really a wonderful thing," Dr. Benton said.
For Kidd, it's hardly just a reenactment.
"I've actually ridden in the Army saddle in full pack, meaning weapons, sabors, pistol and everything one event we did 113 miles in 3 days," Kidd said.
The trip giving him a better grasp on how the soldiers survived, in turn teaching visitors what it was really like.
"The clothing that they wear is scratchy. They don't eat very well, they sleep on the ground, I mean it's not a comfortable hobby but people are very committed to it," Dr. Benton said.
Committed, because it matters.
"History forgotten will be repeated, and I think it's important to know what these men went through," Kidd said.
So when visiting the battlefield this weekend, it'll be like stepping back in time.
"We try and do a literal living history, making history come alive for the people to see."
The reenactment will be at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park at 1 pm on Saturday and Sunday and they're expecting 5 to 7,000 spectators.
