A Massachusetts restaurant has found itself at the center of controversy after a group of World War II reenactors, including some dressed as Nazi soldiers, were permitted to dine in full regalia this past weekend. Kith and Kin, a dining spot located in Hudson, posted a public apology via Facebook after images of the reenactors at their venue drew criticism and concerns from the community.
According to information first reported by boston.com, on Saturday night, a group of eight reenactors, four dressed as US soldiers, one as a military nurse, and two as German SS soldiers, all part of a local WWII re-enactment hosted by the American Heritage Museum, chose to dine at Kith and Kin without changing out of character—this amidst a climate where acts of anti-Semitic violence are reportedly on the rise, which the restaurant acknowledged it should have more carefully considered before allowing the reenactors to be seated.
Following the incident, Kith and Kin faced a barrage of harassment and threats, resulting in the decision to close their doors on October 15 for the safety of its employees, according to a subsequent post from the restaurant found on NBC Boston. The restaurant emphasized in their statement, "We would never intentionally do anything to offend or hurt anyone in the community," expressing remorse over the lack of foresight regarding the potential impact of the reenactors' appearance in a public space.
Community response has been divided with some defending the educational intent of reenactment, while others express deep discomfort and question the judgment of all involved; one Facebook commenter, who witnessed the arrival of the reenactors, stated it was "odd" that those portraying such a fraught piece of history would believe it acceptable to wear those costumes outside the confines of performance, "If they know the history they should know better and save the costume for the performance," they wrote in a comment highlighted by the restaurant’s social media. With heightened sensitivities and historical wounds still raw, debate ensues over the boundaries of public space and historical representation—even as Kith and Kin seeks to move past the incident and reassure a community shaken by the specters of past intolerance displayed in the present.
