Blairgowrie resident dresses as historical characters to teach history
Gareth Sephton has 56 historical outfits he uses at performances and educational talks.
Gareth Sephton has been a Roman legionary, World War II soldier, pirate and caveman – all this year.
The Blairgowrie resident is known in the community for his walks in various home-made historical outfits through the area, and for his performances and educational talks at schools and public places.
The 22-year-old now hosts weekly performances at The Junction shopping centre in Blairgowrie, titled From Stone to Steam, From Catapults to Cannons.
“I have made 56 costumes, so I am ready to give presentations for a whole year,” he said during an interview with Randburg Sun.
Sephton’s ‘history room’ is packed with clothes, wooden swords, real steel armour, copper helmets, flags and hundreds of history books.
“I did the paleolithic era at The Junction last week, so I was a caveman. I used reindeer fur to make the clothes and struck stones together to create the spear. I made a bone necklace too. Before that, Kids Village had a countries of the world event and each week I visited the school as someone new. First I did Turkey, so I was from the Ottoman Empire and used a hand puppet to talk about the country’s history.”
Then he covered Ireland and brought some Euros for the children to see. An American from World War II followed this, and he played the harmonica. Lastly Sephton spoke on Britain as a chimney sweep who played the fife musical instrument.
Always, Sephton tries to use the appropriate accent, and vernacular, and make every experience as authentic as possible.
All this stems from his sense of duty to help people understand the past.
“People often ask me why I do not call my YouTube channel and Facebook page ‘Gareth’s historical outfits’ or something like that, instead of Mission: Ism. I believe that if we don’t understand the past we do not know where we are going. So, my mission is to break free from the bondage of the past by acknowledging and understanding it.”
Sephton’s passion for history began in 2018 when he said he felt ‘obsessed’ about understanding his own personal history.
But this developed into a greater depth for knowledge, and sharing that knowledge through his outfits and talks, in 2020.
To better understand the characters he shares, Sephton reads extensively into their context, and walks around the neighbourhood in their clothing and armour.
Details: Gareth Sephton gareths3141@gmail.com, Facebook Group.
