Kith and Kin, a popular Massachusetts eatery, became the center of a storm this weekend when eight World War II reenactors arrived in costume—two of them dressed in Nazi SS uniforms. The group, fresh from a reenactment event at the American Heritage Museum, caused an uproar among fellow diners, prompting the restaurant to issue an apology, acknowledging that while the reenactors were “living historians,” it was a lapse in judgment to allow them to stay in character.
The restaurant explained that, while they understood the costumes’ historical context, the choice to seat patrons in Nazi uniforms, especially during a time of heightened anti-Semitic violence, was misguided. The American Heritage Museum, where the reenactors were performing, agreed, calling the public display “beyond thoughtless” and “repugnant,” emphasizing that such attire is only appropriate in educational contexts intended to commemorate the sacrifices of WWII soldiers.
The restaurant’s apology was met with mixed reactions on social media, with some locals outraged at the scene they described as “shocking and offensive,” while others sympathized with the staff, who faced an unexpected and difficult situation. On Tuesday, Kith and Kin announced a temporary closure due to a surge of threats following the incident, citing concerns for their staff’s safety. For many in Hudson, it’s a stark reminder that historical costumes outside of context can stir deep-seated emotions and controversy.
