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Jim Ruley got involved with living history by joining Co. B, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1991. In addition to his military activities he dabbled in sewing through the 90’s, but things got serious when he and fiancée Kay decided to have their wedding in period costume in 2000. Jim’s task was to make a frock coat for the best man (brother John), which led him to delve into period tailoring books when none of the commercial patterns available produced a good fit. The result fit so well that it led to numerous requests for custom tailored garments and patterns. It also led to more serious research into historical garment materials and construction techniques which continues today. Jim served as a company and battalion commander for a number of years but is now concentrating on his tailoring impression. In addition to reenactment events he has worked on a number of movie projects, notably the “Chancellorsville” episode of the “Civil War Combat” series and “Soldiers All” with Historical Films, Inc. He is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans and the Company of Military Historians. Jim retired in 2015 after 31 years as an aerospace engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, OH. Jim and Kay enjoy sharing their circa 1845 home with their cats when not away reenacting.
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