This man from Long Island, New York quit his cushy white-collar job to become a Revolutionary War reenactor. Previously, Cristopher Judge worked a sales job in Midtown. But for the past few years, the 50-year-old has been teaching people about this 18th-century period while dressing up in historical clothing.
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Just this month, Judge was promoted to director of the North Shore Historical Museum. This reenactor is quite proud of what he does for a living, despite it being far from what his old life used to be.
Man Becomes Historical Reenactor After Leaving Sales Job
"People might say to me, 'I like your costume.' And I say, 'What costume?' I play it off as if I'm really from the 18th century," he said to the New York Post. His job is to act and speak in character while also educating visitors about the Revolutionary War.
Not only does he speak in character, but he sings as well. Judge sings at Christ Church of Oyster Bay and became a trained vocalist in college. He sings for people of all ages, especially children eager to learn. "We have a lot of fourth graders come in, and their eyes really light up," Judge said.
This huge career change came seven years ago, just a week after he got a managerial position at his sales job. Clearly, he quickly realized this wasn't something that made him happy. Judge told the outlet how he felt "jealousy" toward non-profit workers as they dedicated their lives to something meaningful.
"I was waking up with just a sense of dread about where I was going in my old career," he explained. In pursuit of doing something fulfilling, Judge fled his house in Brooklyn and came to Long Island in search of this dream job.
Judge called his current job as a historical reenactor "so much more fulfilling." He described it as waking up every day thinking "Great, I get to go to work," instead of dreading work.
While dressed up in historically accurate clothing, Judge sings tunes about the life of Robert Townsend, a Revolutionary War spy. He not only uses his singing voice, but he also plays a wooden recorder.
His ensemble isn't something just anyone can put together either. Judge told The Post that his outfit can cost up to $1,500. Luckily, the museum provided the clothing so he didn't have to pay the hefty price.
On the side, Judge also enjoys being a bus driver for a senior center, alongside teaching elders how to use technology. He has done a lot more services, but his favorite seems to be working with the museum.
