Gary and Jan Dundore have been re-enactors for more than 25 years and, for the married couple, it all started with the discovery of Gary's grandfather's seersucker suit.
The Dundores, who have been married 41 years, attend a variety of historical events, and dress accordingly.
"The main reason we do re-enactment is it's our way of promoting history," Jan said. "We're pretty much wrapped around history. We thoroughly love history."
Article Photos
Left, Jan and Gary Dundore attended the 150th anniversary last month of the
Lincoln inaugural train trip at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
The couple portrays different periods through their clothing, and mainly focus on the Civil War era and the 1880s through 1910.
Jan's favorite clothing period is the 1890s.
"There's more glitter and more glam," she said. "There's a lot of frou-frou for the women and the men were more distinguished."
Jan also said Victorian clothing was more colorful than some people may think. The hats and parasols were larger, and the clothing was, in general, "showier."
One of the first events the Dundores attended was the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival.
"We always thought it was kind of neat, so he dressed up and I made myself a long skirt," she said. "We just had so much fun."
Along with the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival, the pair also attends events at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, the Ohio Village and the Malabar Farm.
Last month, they traveled to the Ohio Statehouse for the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln inaugural trail trip.
They've also dressed for the American Civil War Museum and for Tiffin's Victorian Christmas.
"The Heritage Festival is one of our favorites, since it's our home," Gary said.
"Some years we attend six or eight events; other years, we do a dozen," Jan added.
The couple also keeps busy on several historical committees, and they volunteer at the American Civil War Museum.
"Our next event will probably be there," Jan said.
Because antiquing has always been a hobby, Jan said finding original period clothing has gone hand in hand.
"We had fun antiquing and started looking for clothes when we were out," she said. "Every year, we try to find something more and add to our wardrobe. It started out as fun, and it still is."
Jan said she has collected so many dresses, she has lost count of the number.
The process of preparing for an event can be tiresome, as it can sometimes take the pair a couple of hours to dress.
"We plan on two hours to get ready. That's our estimate, that's what we start from," Jan said.
Six to eight layers of clothing is normal for Jan, and Gary must coordinate his watch and other jewelry. His shirt must also be perfectly pinned.
"He helps me and I help him," Jan said.
To properly portray the Civil War era, Jan said she must part her hair down the middle and wear a low bun with a snood, a type of hair net.
For the 1900s, Jan said she has to puff out her hair.
"I have to keep my hair long because I need it for hat pins," she said.
Jan said she and Gary have done extensive research on clothing from each era, and it has helped to have friends who work at museums and who sell vintage clothing.
"We do a lot of research to get the correct dress," she said. "You learn by seeing and touching."
For Gary, who owns a small business, Family Plumbing, Wiring & Sheet Metal, and Jan, who works as an insurance agent, re-enacting has been more than just fun, it has helped them connect with history.
"The older you get, the more you want to be in tune with your roots," Gary said.
