How to become a historic reenactor

When Kyle Parker first donned the red coat of a British grenadier, it wasn’t just about playing dress-up — it was about stepping into history.

Parker, 36, of West Hempstead, joined the 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers in America) after growing up in a family passionate about the past. “My dad and brother were always into history,” he said. “I remember watching the massive reenactment of the Battle of White Plains when I was a kid with my brother and father during the 225th anniversary — hundreds of soldiers, muskets firing, drums beating.  . . As soon as I turned 16, I signed up.”

For Parker, portraying a British soldier instead of a Continental one was tactical and personal. You need to learn from the opposition,” he explained. “Plus, my father is British and my grandmother is Welsh.”

 23rd Regiment, part of a larger national organization, has about 50 members, with Parker serving as a private in the Grenadier Company. Reenactments range from one-day living history demonstrations to full-scale weekend battles.

For newcomers, cost often comes up as the first hurdle. Parker admits that authenticity comes with a price tag.

“We hold ourselves to a high standard. These are . . . tailored uniforms,” he said. “But beginners don’t have to worry. Most groups have loaner gear, so you can try it before investing. Eventually, the first big purchase in our group is usually a musket. They are about $1,000 nowadays.”

Justin Constantino, of New Hyde Park, and a member of the 3rd New York Regiment Long Island Companies, said beginners shouldn’t be intimidated by their lack of experience or equipment. “I showed up to my first event half-dressed and borrowed most of my kit,” he recalled with a laugh. “Everyone helped me out. That’s how you learn. Now I’m the one people come to for advice.”

 Parker, that sense of community and discovery is what keeps him coming back. “You start noticing things you’d never pick up from a history book,” he said. “How a musket’s weight affects the soldier’s maneuver, how garments evolved for function. It’s an incredibly immersive way to get a better understanding of how people lived 250 years ago.”