Links:

Key Resources for Authentic Civilians:

• The Authentic Civilians' Manifesto (Susan Lyons Hughes, hosted on Scott McKay's excellent 10th Texas Infantry website
• The Citizen's Companion (highly recommended magazine for civilian reenactors. No website. Subscription information available on website of companion publication, the Camp Chase Gazette, or by contacting the editrix, Susan Lyons Hughes) The Camp Chase Gazette has now been significantly upgraded since Susan's husband Nicky Hughes took on the editorship and includes a number of must-have articles on material culture of the period.
• Who Wore What: Women's Wear 1861-1865 -- Juanita Leisch's must-have book on women's clothing of the CW era.
• The Watchdog -- Quarterly review for CW reenactors -- excellent publication evaluating reproduction items for reenacting.
• Elizabeth Clark's books on period clothing construction, particularly The Dressmaker's Guide to Fit and Fashion, are highly recommended, not only for those who sew but to help you to evaluate the authenticity of reproduction clothing made by others.
• Authentic Campaigner "Homefront" (civilian section of forum)
• Szabo Civilian forum (www.cwreenactors.com)
• CW-reenactors.com email listserv (in transition, subscription how-to info coming soon)

Civilian Conferences:

• Ladies of the 1860's Conference (every March, Harrisburg, PA)
• Midwest Civil War Civilians Conference (end of January, Chicago area) (website coming soon)
• Artifact Forum (usually first w/e of November - organized by Juanita Leisch and Les Jensen -- next conference in 2004)
• Conference on Women in the Civil War, organized by the Society of Women in the Civil War. Next conference will be in Richmond in 2004.
• Midwest School of the Civilian (August, 2003)

Clothing & Needlework Workshops:

• Genteel Arts Academy -- holds a series of workshops on period sewing and needlework. Based in Gettysburg, but will travel
• Kay Gnagey -- based in Indiana but will travel
• Christine Ballard - no website, email at MrsBonnets@aol.com. Possibly THE best bonnet workshops.
• Elizabeth Stewart Clark - based in Oregon, but will travel

Other Workshops:

AGSAS has held workshops on a variety of period skills: basketry, applique quilts, painted floorcloths, bonnets, cage crinolines. Enquire about our forward program.

Other Authenticity-Focused Civilian Units:

• Chattahoochee Refugee Society (GA/TN)
• Citizens of Liberty (mid atlantic, MD/PA/NY based, comprising members of the Elmira SAS, Hardtack Society and independent members. Affiliated with the Liberty Rifles
• Citizens of the Bonnie Blue (Western theatre - midwest, TN/KY, etc)
• Citizens of the Cumberland: (new group, Kentucky based)
• Citizens of New Albany (nationwide, but most members in midwest)
• Domestic Arts & Honorable Trades Society (mid Atlantic, NJ based) (new group, no website yet)
• Columbia's Daughters (New England based) Affiliated with Co K, 28th Mass
• Elmira Soldiers Aid Society (NY based)
• Eno Soldiers Relief Society (mid atlantic, NC based, AGSAS sister unit - no website yet)
• Frederick Ladies Relief Society (mid atlantic, MD based) (Don't think they have a website, but here's a superb article from the Winchester Star)
• Homespun Living History Guild (AL, SC and deep South)
• The Hot Corn G'hals (NYC focused, portray the Bowery working class)
• Kearny Guards Civilians (mid atlantic, NJ based). Not much on their website, but they have an excellent YahooGroups listserv with lots of good info.
• Living History Society of Minnesota