What is Classic Camping?

Classic camping, more or less, encompasses the idea of using living history to re-create the experience of the golden age of outdoor sporting, which is considered to span approximately 1890-1940. This may involve pleasure camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, or going for a drive, however the key aspect is it is done using exclusively antique or reproduction clothing and equipment of the period.

Colorized original photo of two couples camping in the 1920s.

But why? What's the point? Well, for the past 150 years, science-fiction has pondered the idea of time travel, yet so-far, it hasn't become possible in reality. This is the closest we can get to actual time-travel. If you're a big-time history nerd and really feel like you were born in the wrong time period, then living history is probably the right hobby for you. Of course, there are many different time periods to reenact, so why this one?

1920s camp re-creation in the 2020s!

Well, there's several reasons. First, this period has the advantage of the "almost modern" technology of the early 20th century. There's automobiles, flashlights, fishing reels, air mattresses, canned foods, and all sorts of other conveniences that can be used in camp and still be in keeping with the historical nature of the camp. A modern LED flashlight really stands out in the middle of a Civil War encampment, but an antique or reproduction 1920s Eveready dry battery flashlight actually enhances the experience of the Classic Camp, and they are readily available at antique stores or on eBay. The use of antique automobiles makes it possible to do progressive camps where you sleep in a different location each night and travel to historic or natural sites during the day. This is something than cannot be done to the same extent with earlier period re-creations. All of this enhances the "time-travel" experience and makes the event more immersive.

1920s automobile with early 1930s 5th wheel camping trailer.

Another great aspect of this genre of living history is that it doesn't center entirely around the military, war, and violence. Personally, I find that refreshing after spending more of my life pretending to fight wars for longer than those wars actually went on. There's very little "pretending" going on. We aren't out there shooting blanks at our buddies and drinking beer with them afterwards. We are actually doing the real things that the people we are trying to represent actually did. We're camping for pleasure, hunting and fishing for sport, driving to see the sights, and enjoying comradery with our friends, just like they did 100+ years ago.

Campfire comradery is one of the most enjoyable aspects of any living history hobby.

Between 1890 and 1940, 18 new National Parks were created, not including Yellowstone, created in 1872. Automobile manufacturers, Brush in 1907, and Ford in 1909, began producing extremely affordable cars that ordinary people could afford. This was quickly followed by several other manufacturers. This took "touring by automobile" out of the realm of "strictly a pastime of the rich" to something that most Americans could afford to do. In addition, Americans were gaining more free time with new 8-hour workdays and vacation time, largely pushed by unions of the time. For the first time in America, people were going camping for fun, not because they were part of a military campaign. They went hunting, not to help their families survive the winter, but to get back in touch with wild nature. All of these factors sent groups and families in droves to the new national parks. As outdoor hobbies grew, companies like Abercrombie and Fitch supplied more and more goods to make the outdoors more comfortable or the fish easier to catch. This is one of the many things that I personally find very enjoyable about this hobby... ALL THE STUFF!

Going fishing on a rainy day with a combination of antique and reproduction fishing gear.

In addition, this genre of living history has a tremendous amount of visual evidence and great documentation from the period. The Kodak Brownie camera was cheap and effective and was a staple in most auto camping trips. A remarkable amount of these photos have survived, and we get the pleasure of using them for reference. In addition, enterprising folks wrote piles of how-to manuals and travelogues for this new realm of outdoor sport. You can literally pick up a book, written in the 1920s, that will tell you exactly how you should dress, what you should carry, and what to use in camp, which is far better than any modern guide to reenacting could be.

1920s deer hunters

So, where does one start with all this? I highly recommend looking up the late Steve Watts. He was one of the first people to start looking into this period as a living history hobby. There are videos on YouTube that he made during his life, and there's also a book that he wrote. In addition, there are other videos on YouTube, including my own channel, 20th Century Adventures. You can also look up Facebook groups like Early 20th Century Sportsman, Antique Overland, and the Amalgamated Order of Motor Campers.

The late Steve Watts, one of the fathers of the Classic Camping hobby.

There are a variety of ways that you can involve yourself in this hobby. One of the easiest and probably most affordable ways is through Woodcraft. Woodcraft is the forerunner of modern Bushcraft, and focuses on woods survival skills and minimalist camping. This can be as simple as a pair of early denim jeans or overalls, a shirt, jacket and hat, a proper pair of period shoes, a oilcloth tarp, wool blanket, and a knife. Of course, you need some real woods skills as well. There are great books from the period on this subject written by Nessmuk and Horace Kephart, and I highly recommend you start with both of their books before you ever hit the forest. You can take this up a notch with a wooden canoe, some period fishing gear, or a good hunting rifle or shotgun. If you're like me, and you're also into old cars, there are a plethora of decent, running antique automobiles on the market that are surprisingly affordable. I'd recommend looking for an older restoration. This will be more affordable, and may have some cosmetic issues, but it will have the look of a slightly used car for the period, and you won't cry as much when you scratch the paint with your camping gear. A Model T Ford is a good starter car. They're cheap and parts are plentiful and they are dead simple to works on. There's also a phenomenal nationwide support group for them. If you want to go highway speeds, and your budget allows, you may want to consider period aftermarket accessories such as a high speed rear end or auxiliary transmission, just bear in mind that 100-year-old cars will never drive like a modern car, so plan accordingly and stay off the interstate! If you're able, nothing beats a big six cylinder touring car. If money is no object, you can also consider a vintage motorcycle, but the earlier you go on those, the more costly they get, well into the 6-figure mark.

Motorcycle campers of the 1910s.

Automobile camping really feels like the apex of the early 20th century Classic Camping experience. Nothing beats the freedom of the open road, the wind in your hair, the tent, bedroll and gear strapped to the running boards, and the attention the car attracts everywhere you go. Find some dirt backroads, water crossings, primitive bridges, or original stretches of the Lincoln Highway and you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime. When the car decides to act up, as it inevitably will, conduct your roadside repairs with grace and dignity knowing that you're doing precisely what you set out to do... Follow in the footsteps of history.

Making adjustments to a cranky Studebaker in camp before the next leg of the journey.

In closing, I hope you'll give this hobby a try. Find some basic 20th century clothing, and reach out to someone with a period automobile. They are more than likely to have a spare seat and a willingness to have a spare passenger. Even a bad day in the woods or on the road is better than the best day at work. Be sure to visit Logsdon & Co. for all of your classic camping gear! Please share this post to help grow this fun genre of the living history hobby!

Grab a friend and hit the road!