Modern History Isn't Just the Past: Why Reenactors and Genealogists Are Rethinking 'Modern'

Imagine you're a town councillor in a small Catalan municipality. It's 2008, the economy is tanking, and someone suggests starting a historical reenactment festival to draw visitors. Your first instinct might be a medieval fair—everyone loves knights and jousting, right? But the data from a study of 115 annual events in Catalonia (EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study) shows that over the last decade, contemporary-era recreations have grown to 43% of new events, while medieval fairs and markets made up only 36% of events initiated between 2009 and 2017. The past isn't just ancient anymore. As working practitioners in historical activities—whether we're organizing events, tracing roots, or preserving battlefields—we've seen a massive shift toward "modern" history. This article busts some myths and answers the questions we actually get asked.

What Does "Modern History" Even Mean in Reenactment?

In reenactment circles, "modern" usually refers to the 19th and 20th centuries—think Victorian, World War I, World War II, even the 1950s. But the term is slippery. In the Catalonia study, "modern" events made up just 12% of all documented events, while "contemporary" (which they define as 20th century to present) accounted for 23%. So when we say "modern history," we're often talking about events within living memory or just beyond. That's a huge deal because it changes how we approach authenticity and audience engagement.

Is Medieval Still King?

Yes, but not as much as you'd think. Medieval is still the most represented period overall, at 50% of events in Catalonia (EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study). But the growth is in contemporary. And that's not just a Catalan quirk. In the UK, the British Library oral history collection notes that reenactment emerged as a leisure activity in the 1970s, and the number of volunteers has grown from about 15,000 in 1996-97 to over 18,000 today. That growth didn't come from medieval alone; it came from a broadening of periods, including modern ones. So if you're planning a new event, don't assume medieval is the safe bet—contemporary might draw a bigger, younger crowd.

Is Reenactment Just About Dressing Up?

That's the biggest misconception we hear. Critics dismiss it as cosplay, but the reality is that many events are deeply tied to heritage and education. Take the Battle of Evesham Medieval Festival in the UK, which drew an estimated 60,000 visitors with more than 1,000 reenactors (British Library oral history). That's serious tourism. And in Catalonia, 70% of events are instigated by town councils, which fund them to the tune of 3 million euros per year total (EXARC Journal 2019/1). These aren't hobbyists in a field; they're economic drivers and community builders. The dressing up is a means, not an end.

Why Are People So Obsessed with Ancestry Tourism?

Because it's personal. VisitScotland found that 70% of long-haul visitors claimed Scottish ancestry, and 34% cited it as a motivating factor for their trip (VisitScotland). That translates to real money—long-haul tourists spent £3.6 billion. Italy even designated 2024 as the "Year of the Italian Roots in the World," targeting an estimated 80 million people of Italian descent (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The desire to walk where your great-grandparents walked is a powerful pull. And it's not just for the old; younger generations are using DNA tests to find their roots. 23andMe has sold more than 12 million kits (23andMe). This isn't a niche hobby; it's a global industry.

Is Genealogy Only for the Rich or Tech-Savvy?

No, and this is a myth we love to bust. The digitization of records has democratized access. FamilySearch completed digitizing 2.4 million rolls of microfilm in 2021, covering over 11.5 billion individuals (FamilySearch). The National Archives released the 1950 Census free online on April 1, 2022, with an AI-built index that the public helps correct (NARA). Even the USCIS Genealogy Program offers fee-for-service access to historical records like the 5.5 million Alien Registration Forms from 1940-1944 (USCIS). You don't need a subscription to Ancestry.com to start; you can begin with free federal records and public libraries.

Do People Actually Visit Battlefields and Living History Museums?

Yes, in droves. Gettysburg National Military Park gets nearly one million visitors a year (NPS Gettysburg). Colonial Williamsburg, the oldest and largest outdoor living history museum, peaked at 1.2 million visitors in 1988 (Colonial Williamsburg). And San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, saw 1.1 million visitors in 2020 who spent $84.3 million locally (NPS San Antonio Missions). These numbers show that people want to experience history, not just read about it. The challenge is keeping these sites relevant. Colonial Williamsburg's "Enslaving Virginia" program in 1999 brought unprecedented media attention (Colonial Williamsburg), proving that tackling difficult history can be a draw, not a turn-off.

Is There a "Right" Way to Do Historical Activities?

We get this question a lot, and the answer is: it depends on your goal. If you're a reenactor, you might prioritize authenticity—but even that is debated. The Catalonia study found that experimental archaeology is virtually non-existent, under 5% of proposals (EXARC Journal 2019/1). So most events aren't trying to recreate daily life exactly; they're telling stories. If you're a genealogist, the "right" way is to verify sources and not rely on a single DNA test. 23andMe uses genotyping, not whole-genome sequencing (23andMe), so it's a probabilistic tool, not a definitive answer. The best approach is to combine records, oral history, and DNA—and to be humble about what you can know.

Is Modern History Just a Fad?

No, it's a long-term trend. The data shows that 69% of active reenactment events in Catalonia were initiated between 2000 and 2017, with 38% created between 2007 and 2017 (EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study). That's not a blip; it's a sustained surge. And heritage tourism is a major economic force: the UK heritage sector generated nearly £45 billion in Gross Value in 2022 (National Trust). Modern history, in particular, resonates because it's within reach—your grandparents might have lived it. As long as people care about where they came from, modern history will stay relevant.

Quick tip: When planning a reenactment event, don't ignore the contemporary period—it's the fastest-growing segment and often connects with audiences on a personal level.

Bottom Line

The single best move for anyone in historical activities—whether you're a reenactor, genealogist, or heritage manager—is to embrace modern history, not just medieval. The evidence is clear: contemporary events are growing, ancestry tourism is booming, and audiences respond to stories within living memory. So go ahead, start that 1940s-themed festival or trace your great-uncle's WWII service. You'll find that the recent past is just as fascinating as the distant one.

Sources

• EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study - https://dev.exarc.net/issue-2019-1/int/current-trends-annual-historical-re-enactments-events-catalonia
• British Library oral history - https://www.bl.uk/stories/blogs/posts/re-enactments-authentic-history-or-just-dressing-up
• VisitScotland - https://www.visitscotland.org/
• Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - https://www.italianroots.info/
• FamilySearch microfilm digitization - https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/9/21/23216724/familysearch-microfilm-digitization-project-complete
• NARA 1950 Census Records - https://www.archives.gov/research/census/1950