Technical Advising

We’re Experts at Helping Others Make History!

Today’s audiences expect a higher level of authenticity in visual storytelling than past generations. Whether it is a museum exhibit or film production, details that can be provided only through professionally trained and experienced subject experts can make, or break, an audience’s experience. Here’s how the expertise of Civil War Patterns stands out:

Our Leadership: 

Civil War Patterns was founded by a historian and preservationist who earned his undergraduate degree in History from Iowa State University and completed his Master of Arts in Historic Preservation at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). As a former museum professional, our founder has substantial experience deep-diving into historic material culture such as military uniforms/equipment, period packaging, and civilian clothing. His work in the open-air museum field has provided expertise in horse and oxen-powered vehicles, historic farming practices, and commercial/residential building furnishings. As a preservationist he has studied the layouts of period neighborhoods and business districts, architectural elements of buildings, and historic signage. Currently, in addition to owning Civil War Patterns, he teaches graduate-level college courses on topics such as architectural preservation and the revitalization of downtown historic districts.

Our Patterns + Your Wardrobe Department:

With dozens of historic period tailoring manuals in our collection and access to original garments, Civil War Patterns has the primary resources to support your costuming team. Each of our patterns is carefully created through a micro study of an original Civil War uniform garment and historic period tailoring instructions. This results in a line of faithfully recreated patterns that provide an opportunity to produce an article of reproduction clothing that matches the construction details, fit, and silhouette of original American Civil War uniforms. An attention to such detail allows us to meet the mission for our patterns to contribute in the telling of authentic stories about those who served, and perished, in one of the darkest periods of American history.

Our Knowledge + Your Production Team:

There’s more to sharing the story of the Civil War than uniforms. Our owner’s expert knowledge on American Civil War tactics and drill has been used for the instruction of Officer Candidates in the United States Military. As the Civil War wasn’t fought in a vacuum, it’s important to have a technical advisor, like us, who understand the typical layouts of historic communities, architectural styles of buildings, signage typefaces (fonts), room furnishings, and how different agrarian landscapes appeared with historic farming practices—which is important considering how many farm fields were turned into battlefields. 

Our Experience + Your Museum Exhibits:

Whether it’s an open-air space or a gallery, we can provide expert support to the development of an engaging Civil War experience for your museum patrons. In addition to uniforms, Civil War Patterns can create professionally written and designed interpretive text, that can be combined with images and artwork. We can also collaborate with your museum team to develop hands-on experiential learning stations, activities, and events associated with your exhibit.