Whether you are interested in re-enacting, shooting, fraternal organizations, helping at a local historic society or just want something nice for your wall, there are several businesses in Michigan that perform research and then produce historic reproductions for use and display. Some deal with clothing and equipment for soldiers, others for civilians and some for both. In any case, all are based here in Michigan!
One of the vendors, Dan Wambaugh of Wambaugh, White and Company, appeared in an episode of Civil War Digital Digest and discussed four criteria that can be used to determine a good reproduction item. Though he is a uniform maker, these criteria work well for all reproduction items - and span all reproductions, not just Civil War era! Watch this video to see the conversation.
| Wambaugh, White and Company | Wambaugh, White and Company is the business of Dan Wambaugh and Brian White. They provide Union and Confederate uniforms (with a limited amount of civilian clothing) which cater to the progressive re-enactor. In addition to finished garments, you can also buy garment kits or fabric by the yard. | http://www.wwandcompany.com/ |
The Dressmaker's Shop |
The Dressmaker’s Shop is run by Kim Lynch. It specializes in fabric, pattern and finished garments for ladies. Mrs. Lynch also runs workshops for people interested in making their own items. | http://www.thedressmakersshop.com/ |
| The Ladies' Dressmaker | The Ladies’ Dressmaker is the Civil War clothing business of Lorna Mitchell Paul. Don’t let the name fool you – in addition to lines of women’s clothing, she offers children and men’s civilian clothing. Lorna also reproduces military clothing and has recently made a special study of the Union enlisted man’s frock coat. | Currently no website |
| Past Reflections Reproductions | Past Reflections Reproductions is a partnership of Jackie Wakeling Jacobs and Beth Fausell Tart. The company has been in business for over 20 years. They specialize in women’s clothing, but also have their own line of patterns made from originals in their collection. This pattern line has items for men, women and children. Beth and Jackie also teach workshops and host fashion shows of Civil War clothing, as well as other eras. | http://pastreflectionsreproductions.com/ |
| Quartermaster Shop | Quartermaster Shop is the business of Jeff and Gayle O’Donnell. They have been around since before the 125th anniversary of the War. This business specializes in clothing for Civil War men, whether Union, Confederate or Civilian. In addition, they make clothing for several other time periods as well. | http://www.quartermastershop.com/ |
| Victorian Lace and The Madhatter | Victorian Lace and The Maddhatter is a partnership of Brigette Klemish and Jennifer Litwiller. They provide customers with Civil War Period correct hats, bonnets, hair pieces, hair jewelry, dye-able silk ribbon, children’s and ladies under-pinning and clothing, knitted products, and of course homemade goodies. | http://victorianlacemaddhatter.yolasite.com |
| Richard Heinicke - Ornamental Blacksmith | Rich does blacksmith work for multiple time periods, including Civil War. You will find him set up at events across the state. | http://www.ranvilh.com |
| Jewels Victoriana | Victorian authentic reproduction jewelry handcrafted by Civil War reenactor and historian Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens. | https://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelsVictoriana?ref=l2-shopheader-name |
| The Victorian Needle | Kristen Mrozek has quite a nice line of civilian accessories in her business. | https://www.etsy.com/shop/VictorianNeedle |
| Kentwood Sutlery and Manufacturing | Kentwood Sutlery and Manufacturing is the business of Ron Lobbezoo. He can be found with his many wooden made wares along with other Civil War era items at re-enactments across Michigan. On-site, he usually has a cooler full of iced root beer to chase a hot day away. | No website available |