Historical Re-Enactors

When you visit an historical site, whether a courthouse, a military barracks, a battlefield, a mansion or a ruined house, how do you really understand the drama, passions, triumphs and tragedies that occurred there? Signs can give you historical context and information. Interpreters can add details, and can answer individual questions. But nothing brings the place or event alive as much as a Historical Re-Enactor.

These volunteers have not only researched the time period, but also specifics about the role or actual person that they portray. They have spent countless dollars outfitting themselves with authentic garb and authentic “props,” such as cooking utensils, firearms, even the correct petticoats! Some re-enactors are so skilled that they are able to portray specific people from history in the first person.

This form of interpretation is invaluable to Arizona State Parks. Engaging all the senses of our visitors — smelling the gunpowder or delicious aromas from cooking fires, seeing the bright colors of traditional dress, feeling the coarseness of wool uniforms, hearing the booms of cannons, and even tasting hard tack — is the best way to not only teach them about history, but to make them care. Creating a whole experience for our visitors will bring them back, and have them telling their friends and neighbors about how great their visit to an Arizona State Park was.

Park Specific Opportunities

Specific parks have need and often use the help of volunteer re-enactors. Follow the links for the parks listed below to learn more about volunteer positions at each park. Contact that park's Volunteer Coordinator with any questions, concerns, or ideas. Volunteers are required to read and follow the Re-Enactor Event Guidelines at all times.

Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
Fort Verde State Historic Park
Jerome State Historic Park
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park
Picacho Peak State Park
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park
Dead Horse Ranch State Park

The parks below occasionally utilize re-enactors:

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
McFarland State Historic Park
Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

Civil War in the Southwest Historical Standards

We are working to ensure historical authenticity during our annual Civil War in the Southwest event at Picacho Peak State Park. To aid re-enactors we've assembled some important information regarding Clothing Standards, Artillery Standards, and Battle Weapon Standards. Questions? Civil War Re-enactor Liaison: Christopher DeMille, (520) 586-4117

See Clothing Standards
See Artillery Standards
See Battle Weapon Standards
See Cavalry Standards

Re-Enactor Event Guidelines

For the safety of our visitors and the interpretive authenticity of the event, re-enactors are required to adhere to the following guidelines. You may also Download Re-Enactor Event Guidelines ( 67 KB PDF)

Authenticity and General Code of Conduct:

All participants will remain in historical dress of the appropriate time period during event hours.
All persons (except visitors) in camp during event hours are required to be in historical dress of the appropriate time period. We highly encourage your family and friends to join you, but they must either be correctly dressed or remain out of your encampment/display area during public hours.
All tack shall be of period design and in good condition.
Modern accoutrements (pop cans, plastic ware, coolers, etc.) are not allowed to be in view during event hours.
Alcohol consumption is not allowed on the premises during event hours.
Anyone acting in an unsafe, disorderly, or uncooperative manner will immediately be asked to leave and/or face legal charges.
Arizona State Parks is not responsible for your personal items. Arrangements can be made to secure valuables at night if needed.
While camping at an historical site, please take special care of site features. Tampering, climbing upon or destroying property is not allowed and may be cause for removal from the property and/or legal charges.
All fires must be extinguished before breaking camp.
All motorized vehicles must be removed from the encampment area during event hours. The Park Manager, for those with special needs, will make exceptions.

Weapons:

Live ammunition is not allowed on the park.
During battle, gunpowder will be carried as pre-rolled cartridges only (no penny wrappers, staples, glue taps, aluminum foil [except for artillery rounds] or waxed cartridges).
Firearms will remain unloaded except for battles or firing demonstrations.
Firearms are to be clean before any shooting of blanks.
Firearms will be discharged only during event hours, in pre-determined demonstration areas, or during battles, always in a safe direction and manner.
Artillery should be discharged in at least 3-minute intervals between firing.
Metallic blanks will be allowed for demonstrations.
Any bladed weapon should be carried safely.
Firearms may only be discharged by persons 16 years of age or older.
Volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times when discharging firearms.
Volunteers under the age of 16 may carry or drill with an unloaded firearm.
A Provost Marshall and/or a Park Ranger will check all weapons upon arrival and check-in at the park.
A Provost Marshall and/or a Park Ranger may conduct random checks of camps and weaponry throughout the event.

Animals:

Pet policies are based on individual park guidelines. Please check with park staff before your arrival to see if pets are allowed.
Livestock is allowed only if required for historical re-enactments.
Livestock will be quartered in designated areas.
Control of Livestock is the responsibility of the re-enactor(s) and all precautions must be taken for the safety of others.
Care of Livestock is the responsibility of the re-enactor(s).

Arizona State Park Volunteer:

Arizona State Parks will provide the Volunteer with pertinent Arizona State Parks information and policies. The volunteer agrees to abide by all such Policies.
The Volunteer understands the s/he is working at all times on a voluntary basis without compensation and not as a State employee and is not covered by the State’s workers compensation plan.
The Volunteer understands that s/he will be working directly under the supervision of an assigned park staff member and will report to his/her supervisor the number of volunteers hours provided.
Arizona State Parks staff may photograph volunteer during an event for park historic value, or the ability to advertise future events. By signing as a Volunteer for Arizona State Parks you give permission to use any photographs taken while you are volunteering.
This agreement can be cancelled at any time by either the Volunteer or Arizona State Parks.

Park Specific Requirements to be added as necessary for each event.

Volunteer Program Home

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