I know of no web site or online location dedicated to living historians and reenactors attempting to meet and date. Though I have not explored it all and usually turn back as I approach the darker neather regions of the World Wide Web. ;)

However, I do have a thought on this matter. As I see it, the problem is where does one go to socialize and meet people these days? I was never in to the 'bar scene'. Dating at work has it's own dangers and should generally be avoided. And at a living history event when is there time for single people to meet and socialize?

When I was between marriages, I admit to eyeing other reenactors as potential dating partners. But the only time to really test those waters were at a dance or other social event. New England events don't have much opportunity for dancing.

Now I am going to get myself in trouble here. But here it goes.

I greatly enjoyed going to dances at southern, far away events, because there were southern women at them. Real southern women. I'm not being crase here. I spent a few years in high school in Virginia and discovered the following, long before I got into reenacting.

Southern ladies know how to allow a gentleman to attempt to give a lady attention. Northern ladies make if difficult for a gentleman to approach them.

This is based solely on my experience and impression. Your mileage may vary.

So Miss Patti, I might suggest that either we find a way to allow opportunity for single people to meet and socialize at events or create events to allow such opportunities. Or perhaps we need to do a little match-making. And I bet you'd be darn good at it too!

I will keep my eyes open for available single men worthy of courtship and send their names on to you. As could others. And you could work out an opportunity for one of your lady friends to meet them. I could even offer to act as a chaperone if necessary.

So now that I have stoked up the fire around the match stick you set. Let's see what others have to say.

This problem is throughout society I'm afraid. Not just in our circle. In the end my wife and mother of my child was introduced to me through a friend. We might have never met otherwise.

--
Michael Johnson

And it was very interesting..
It was strange , not especially good,nor was it especially bad.My primary portrayal was as a soldier,and I can definitely say that shifted my social dynamic a little bit.(The first time I came out in ladies dress,at church call,my unit ,in unison, choked on their coffee and ended up wearing it)
Im 19 days away from marrying a fellow soldier - (NO WERE NOT GETTING MARRIED IN Mass!!)And I can say that dating within the hobby was a wonderful thing.There was no having to explain to the other about why we are doing this (a common issue I had with my non re-enactor significant others) And if we were in a hectic work cycle, the event gave us the much needed down time to regroup.
I love it,I love marching shoulder to shoulder with my significant other.I love having an automatic dance partner,I love the safety of it.I love the sharing one of the most important parts of my life.
We met @ Crowne Pointe, and he was awed by the idea of a WIR.
Im thinking of ways to promote the social factor of single re-enactors,and I think,its mostly being in the right place at the right time.And being open to it.
Thoughts that Im sure will grow and shift.
Terri (Teddy's "twin" sister)

What an interesting thread! I think the topic would make a most interesting board in itself. Although I have to admit, I only know a few single reenactors. You are defiantly right, Michael, about the dances down south and about Southern women! I have no problem with northern women having dated a few myself. But, I too, have found ladies down south to be somewhat more out going. I only speak from personal experience, as well.
I've found that the best way for singles to get to know other singles with like interests are at the big events down in Virginia. The balls and dances are an excellent meeting place. I have been taught how to do the Virginia reel a couple times by ladies from Georgia and Texas. There isn't a more fashionable couple than one who wears a dashing uniform with polished buttons and a shimmering evening gown with many hoops. I have not seen to many reenactment dances up north, however.
I haven't enjoyed the bar scene too much either. I've tried it before and it does get expensive! And there isn't too many other places in Augusta to meet up with ladies. There are a couple of bars, a book store, and Wal Mart. When you wear a wool uniform and sleep on the ground on weekends it is tough finding somebody who you have much in common with.
Yet, my lucky stars finally shined. I've been dating somebody who recently graduated from my old school, University of Maine in Farmington. I met her at Barnes N Noble a few weeks ago. Ya, it is a lame place to find a date, but it works! Plus, the store has a little Starbuck's cafe and it had a nice atmosphere for us to talk over a cafe mocha and latte. It's been awesome getting to know her since then. It would be nice for her to take a weekend off next year so I may bring her to a reenactment. If she is willing to dress period for a day then she is my perfect match!
I think that there should be a way for single reenactors to get to know each other. It is lonely being single at reenactments especially if you can't cook! For with all the married couples who reeanct together, it is proof that for many of us, it is difficult to be with someone who is not as passionate about history as we. Maybe this board should have a classifieds section? F Confederate spy seeking Union M? haha Anyway, only advice I have is to go to Virginia this spring and learn the Virginia Reel!

Zac you are right I miss Dixie. The hay rides will be going on down South this month and so will the Harvest Moon Balls. Oh how I wish I was in the land of cottonlololol Patti Patti I am not talking about YOUR COTTON I am talking about South Of The Mason Dixon. Zac you are right therei s no greater couple then on doing the TN waltz.

No offense taken...

Match making! I say match making is the thing to consider.

What sort of fella you looking for Annie? I'll keep my eyes and ears open.

--
Michael Johnson

The belle I am "kissing in the tree" with is Melissa. Glory glory, joyful joyful. Them single days is gone with the wind. She lives here in Augusta now which is sweet but she works a night shift at the moment.
Your mention of the hay rides, copperhead Anne(love that nick name) brings back lovely memories of highschool. Late October in the cool evenings in the Red River Valley of northern Texas and riding with my back to a loft of golden hay. All that was on my mind was summoning up the guts to put my arm around the girl who sat by me in science class and who now sat by me on a bouncy wagon. The whipper wills up in the dog wood and oak trees cheered me on. I have some happy memories from the sweet southern nights. Gone with the wind are those two note songs of the whipper will, the smell of the sturdy hay, and thatOctober evening that this Southron boy did manage to find the courage.

I don't have the statistics to prove this but another problem Miss Patti is that it seems the single men are mostly in their teens and twenties and the ladies are, well, wiser, if you will. :) 20 to 2 may be a minor issue.

Hey Craig, I love strong and independant women. But you know the problem with them is? They are strong! And independant!

Just can't win...

--
Michael Johnson

I hope this don't offend anybody. All in good fun, right Craig?
An example of a Southern Belle’s personal ad:
A true Rose O Neil Southern fire heart seeks any man who can play the banjo or can share his whiskey.
* enjoys moonlit walks on the Southern coast, cuddeling on a front porch Saturday night, and hunting long side her hubby
* has completed Ole Miss or A&M and keeps the sunny south sunny
* can entertain, have a heliva party, dance, sing, tells you like it is, and has a smile that could melt even a yankee.

An example of a Northern Lady’s personal ad:
A true crazy Mary Todd Lincoln Northern Lady seeks a partner to plow the drive way in the winter and have a man to complain to.
* can gossip and manipulate any subject or fact, can gain a little weight to keep a hubby cozy in the winter, can roast while never minding the eight hundred dollar a month heating fuel bill, and can pay seven dollars for a pack of cigarettes.
* can bring home a eternity's worth of coffee colodas and donuts from one of Maine's ten thousand Dunkin Donuts.
* sweet men need not apply.
Pvt Zac

"where do singles meet?"

I've been single a while, and I've done a fair share of "dating" in that time. I could talk your ear off about it.

But, some simple common sense rules from my experience:

1. Get out there! You aren't going to meet anyone if you don't go where people are.

2. Volunteer organizations - there are hundreds of them in your community - they need help and give you an excellent chance to do good works - hang with a "high-quality" compassionate set of folks, and "get you out of your own head", which is a terrible place to be if you want to convey a good impression. And, you are likely to meet people - if not a life long companion - certainly some good friends!

You don't know where you will meet Mr. or Mis right. But you need to get out there and be in a healthy state of mind in order to allow it to happen.

3. Date for dating's sake.

When I started to date I would have all these worries and expectations before the date started - in my mind I'd married, had kids and divorced this person before we even shared coffee. Expectations will KILL any possibility for romance. When you date the purpose is not to get married and raise yours and her existing kids -it is to HAVE FUN. A successful date is when you do something enjoyable and enjoy life.

Once I changed my mindset to concentrating on the date, rather than my expectations for the other person, I started to really enjoy dating. I was even told by several people that I was a "really good date"!

Finally: When you are ready, the right person will appear.

So, matchmakers and prospective matches - quckerbichin and start yer hitchin'!

Thank you all for such great advice. I have the best of both worlds. I was born and 1/2 raised in the North,just like good old Northern yeast bread 1/2 raised befor you punch it down. Then as a young lady went South and was schooled by the military. Years being married to a special warfare man. I can bake the beanhole beans and I know 100 ways to make corn bread and hamhocks and pinto beans. I am really a true find for the mature reenactor and I guess I have to start thinking that way. I know most of the Southern General to the point I know how many horses were short out from undreneath them and I know the horses names even could cook their favorite meals like Good Ole Fightin Joe Wheelers corn bread or Jeff Davis's family ladies cakes. Hard to think about the leader of the South eaten Ladies cakes but her loved them. Ok I said most. And lets face it not only can I stich a button on I can whip up a parade jacket while I am cooking the turkey for the Brits. Pattie just had to add that for you. But thanks guys for all the advice and help it is all wise and thought out and I enjoy it. Never seen a subject on here get so many great post. Oh well long live the Nancy Hearts. CopperHeadAnnie

Major Reeder I will be pleased to dance with you. CopperHeadAnnie

...if he's all that and wears UDT shorts, you'll be in Heaven!!!

Ok Mark dig this he is a professional diver lololol UDT shorts and all. And he asked me tonight if I know how to 2 step and do the Texas swing. Then he tells me about his black powder gun. I thought for a moment that it is all a set up lololol If he shows up in an F150 with a racoon bone hanging from the rear view mirror I will know Patti has put him up to it. Ok you will all recieve a full damage report on Saturday. CopperHeadAnnie

All is well along the Penobscott tonight. All went well with the date. We are heading out bird hunting this coming week end may even go blood worm digging tomorrow what a date lolololol CopperHeadAnnie

Yeah Laurie!

Details!! Did he show up in his finest grey jean wool? Do you think he'll enlist for the Cause?