MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MA – A restaurant shouldn’t have to shut its doors because of the stupid decisions of a few customers. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to a small family-owned restaurant in Massachusetts this week, when a group of World War II re-enactors strolled in for dinner—some wearing Nazi SS uniforms. In today’s hyper-aware world, symbols of hate, even in historical contexts, carry weight far beyond their intended message. While the restaurant acted in good faith, it became the unexpected target of harassment, leaving staff overwhelmed and the business temporarily closed.
How It All Started
The controversy began when a group of World War II re-enactors, including some dressed in Nazi SS uniforms, dined at the Kith and Kin restaurant in Hudson, Massachusetts, following a weekend event.
The group, associated with the American Heritage Museum, included eight members—four dressed as U.S. soldiers, one as a military nurse, and “a couple” wearing the German uniforms. While the restaurant welcomed them as history enthusiasts, their poor choice of attire sparked public outrage and triggered a wave of backlash.
Restaurant Issues Apology After Outrage
The restaurant took to Facebook on Sunday to apologize for seating the re-enactors in their historical attire.
“In hindsight, they should have been asked to change before being seated. Even though we knew they were living historians, at a time when acts of anti-Semitic violence continue to rise, we should have realized other diners might not be aware of the local WWII re-enactment,” the post read.
“We would never intentionally do anything to offend or hurt anyone in the community. If we truly thought these individuals held anti-Semitic beliefs, we would never have allowed them to step foot in the restaurant,” the post continued. “As a small, family-owned business, we strive every day to do our best and are continuing to learn and grow. Last night we fell short, and we deeply apologize.”
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Threats Force Restaurant to Close Temporarily
Despite the apology, backlash against the restaurant intensified after news coverage of the incident. On Tuesday, the restaurant announced it would be closed for the day, citing safety concerns for its staff.
“After last night’s news airings, our restaurant has been the target of increased harassment and threats. Therefore, for the safety of our staff, we will unfortunately be closed today, Tuesday, October 15,” the restaurant wrote in another Facebook post.
Museum Responds, Calls Uniform Use “Repugnant”
The American Heritage Museum, which hosted the weekend re-enactment event known as the Battle for the Airfield, clarified that it does not condone the use of Nazi uniforms outside of historical contexts. The museum emphasized the importance of following strict guidelines for such attire.
Museum trustee Gary Lewi condemned the decision to wear the uniforms in public, calling it “repugnant” in light of current social issues.
“Let’s put that in context. It’s at a time when acts of antisemitic violence are on the rise, when neo-Nazis have taken to the streets, a Holocaust continues to be denied. So wearing German uniforms in a public space, that’s beyond thoughtless. That’s repugnant,” Lewi told WBZ-TV.
He further explained the museum’s policy, which prohibits wearing SS uniforms outside of controlled environments.
“It does not exist off the field, which is why there are strict protocols that the American Heritage Museum has regarding what to wear, when to wear it, how to wear it, and clearly that protocol was violated,” Lewi said. “It’s not a hate crime. It’s stupidity.”
Balancing History with Modern Sensitivities
The incident highlights the challenges of historical re-enactments in today’s climate, where symbols associated with hate carry immense emotional weight. While the restaurant sought to accommodate the historians, the misjudgment has become a costly lesson in understanding the public’s sensitivity to these matters.
For Kith and Kin, the goal remains to move forward with greater awareness. As the backlash shows, even well-meaning intentions can misfire when historical symbols are taken out of context.
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