47th Kalamazoo Living History Show™
March 18-19, 2023
Watch a virtual visit to the 46th Kalamazoo Living History Show! |
Those interested in being a vendor at the show are invited to contact kalamazoolivinghistoryshow@gmail.com for an application.
More than 10,000 historical re-enactors, history enthusiasts, collectors and the general public from the United States and Canada are expected to attend the 47th annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™. The juried, nationally recognized show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19, 2023, at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The show attracts many of the finest artisans and vendors of pre-1890 living history supplies and related crafts from throughout the United States and Canada.
Other highlights include children’s activities, Native American cultural programs, and artisans who will demonstrate their crafts.
The Kalamazoo Living History Show™ is open to the general public Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for a single day adult pass; $13.00 for a weekend adult pass. Children 12 years of age and under admitted free when accompanied by a parent.
Program Theme of the 47th Annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™
One if by Land, Two if by Sea?
These words were penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem “Paul Revere's Ride” to describe the signal used to guide the “midnight ride of Paul Revere” at the start of the Revolutionary War. We all remember the poem- Paul Revere arranged to have a signal lit in the Old North Church – one lantern if the British were coming by land and two lanterns if they were coming by sea – and began to make preparations for his ride to alert the local militias and citizens about the impending attack. This was the fastest means of communication during that time.
Methods of communication have changed greatly, and the living history, historical site, and museum communities are beginning to recognize the great usefulness of technology and social media to educate, promote, and recruit. It is harder and harder to connect and communicate by older, traditional methods such as flyers or brochures, as a new generation of history enthusiasts looks to connect with history through ways with which they are more familiar- social media. These newer methods of communication, such as podcasts, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Tick Tock, are helping educate, recruit, and spread the word to a whole new generation. Join us for the 47th annual Kalamazoo Living History Show as we meet some of the people successfully using video technology, social media, and other modern methods of communication to build a wider, more multi-generational audience for historical interpretation and communication. Ways to revitalize our hobby/sport/ lifestyle and assure its survival into the future will be discussed.
Program times and COVID protocols will be posted on our website several weeks prior to the show.
| The show and the Expo Center will be bound by any local, state, or federal mandates at the time of the show. There are currently no mandates in force at this time. Masking and vaccination are encouraged. |
Contact Information
For information about the Kalamazoo Living History Show™, contact Leslie Martin Conwell, P.O. Box 2214, West Lafayette, IN 47996, telephone 765.201.5019, kalamazoolivinghistoryshow@gmail.com, www.KalamazooShow.com.
March 18-19, 2023
Saturday 9-5 |
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Sunday 9-4 |
ADMISSION AT THE DOOR:
Single Day - $9.00
Weekend Pass - $13.00
Children 12 and Under Admitted Free When Accompanied By An Adult
Kalamazoo County Expo Center
Kalamazoo County Fair Ground
2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo Mi.
I-94, Exit 80, North
WELCOME Dealers • Collectors • Educators • History Buffs Persons Attending Show In Pre-1890 Clothing Will Be Eligible For Door Prize |
The largest, nationally recognized, juried show in the Midwest devoted to pre-1890 original or reproduction living history supplies, accouterments and related crafts. More than 10,000 historical re-enactors from pre-Revolutionary through the Civil War, history buffs, collectors, and the general public from 18 states and Canada come together for a festive weekend to buy, sell and trade. The event attracts over 270 of the finest craftspeople and dealers of living history supplies and related crafts from throughout the United States.
The Kalamazoo Living History Show was created in 1976 to bring history alive and entertain as well as expose the general public to some of the most fascinating times in our history. Each year the focus of the show changes allowing various historical reenactment groups, organizations and individuals, dressed in period clothing, the opportunity to host the show and share their knowledge and enthusiasm of history with all of us.
Anyone attending the show in pre-1890 style clothing will be eligible for a drawing on a door prize.