Gordon Garrett

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	Re-Enactor of the Month


	by Jim Cummings


	We are preserving living history today so that the past will not be forgotten. Jim Cummings


	To See Past Re-Enactor of the Month


	GORDON GARRETT

		by Jim Cummings

A truly dedicated re-enactor not only understands his persona but can have more than one. Gordon Garrett has many. He started as a farmer and soon was adding characterizations as the need arose.When a re-enactment is short of natives call on Gordon. Or maybe Filthy Richard will show up to catch the crowd’s attention. Or a certain Frenchman may be needed.

Gordon is a member of The Painted Stone Settlers and was an original in the first Long Run Massacre in 1999. You can find out more about The Painted Stone Settlers at paintedstonesettlers.org.


		Look for Gordon Garrett at a re-enactment near you - but keep your eyes open because you never know which of his many personas will show up that day!



	INTERVIEW WITH GORDON GARRETT

JIM: You mentioned above that you have been re-enacting since 1999. What drew you to this hobby. GORDON: History - living history. Being able to recreate what once was. To be able to get the feeling of what my ancestors went through in the 18th century. They were a tough, determined lot of individuals - both men and women. JIM: How accurate do you try to get in the portrayal of your characters. GORDON: As close as possible. I do a lot of research on clothing for the different characters. JIM: Gordon, the character I like best is Filthy Richard. Where did he come from? GORDON: Filthy Richard is a hoot to play. He is basically a composite of several characters. Basically I’m a shy person but when I get into Filthy Richard I sort of loose Gordon and become this arrogant, abrasive, little dirty guy - part pirate, part trader, part beggar, part Indian fighter with a bit of thief and mugger thrown in. But Richard is a good guy when it comes to damsels in distress. JIM: What about your other characters? GORDON: I do what I feel is necessary for the re-enactment to be a success. JIM: Do you give talks and lectures on 18th century life? GORDON: Yes I go to schools dressed in persona and give talks about the 18th century. I have a blast.

JIM: Tell us about “The Warrior’s Path” the 3 hour video tape you and a friend have made.

GORDON: Jack Luttrell came up with this idea. All re-enactments have a shortage of Natives. So we decided this was a needed service.

JIM: Tell us about the tape.

GORDON: Jack portrays a full time Native. He details exactly how to portray an Eastern Woodland Indian. Jack has done a tremendous amount of research and he shares this information. But we do not claim to be experts. Every week new information comes to light.

JIM: If Jack talks about the full time native, what do you do?

GORDON: I explain how to switch from settler to native as the need arises, and to do it with the least expense and trouble.

JIM: What else is in the tape?

GORDON: Glad you asked that. Start to finish it took us 5 months of hard work. We put a lot of ourselves in this. First we put over 20 “How To Projects” in addition to tips on how to dress and paint. Some of these sections are: how to make leggings. breechclout, moccasins, match coat, knife sheath and leather bag.

JIM: So you cover becoming a native re-enactor from start to finish.

GORDON: Yes “The Warrior’s Path” does that. If you are serious about becoming a native re-enactor this will point you in the right direction. (Click here for more info about ordering this tape.)