The Allendale County Historical Society will coordinate a month-long series of programming opportunities about the Revolutionary War in January 2025. The South Carolina State Museum’s traveling exhibit “The American Revolutionary War in South Carolina” and the National Park Service’s traveling trunk “Lives of Backcountry Children” will both be on display from Friday, January 3 – Sunday, January 26, 2025 at USC Salkehatchie. Additionally, there will be a variety of events while the exhibits are on display. SC Humanities supported this programming with a Mini Grant.
The goal of “Revolutionary Days” is to educate the public about the Revolutionary War in general, but especially emphasizing the events that happened in South Carolina and in Allendale County.
The exhibit “The American Revolutionary War in South Carolina” shows how South Carolina played a significant role during the American Revolution, with over 200 engagements (battles and skirmishes), more than any other colony during the war. The exhibit highlights major battles that took place in South Carolina, including the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the Cherokee Attack and the Battle of Cowpens, as well as the role that African Americans and women played in the war.
Planned events include:
Friday, January 3 – Sunday, January 26, 2025
“The American Revolutionary War in South Carolina” exhibit on display
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Friday, January 3 | 6:00 p.m.
Meet and Greet with Dignitaries and Sponsors
Featuring Will Grimsley, SC 250 State Chair
Re-enactment & Living History program – the 2nd SC Regiment
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 4 | 11:00 a.m.
Unveiling of Burton’s Ferry Historical Marker and Interpretive Sign
With speaker Edwin Breedon, SC Archives and History
Location: Burton’s Ferry Landing; US-301 South; the event will take place where the trail splits. 32°56’44.93″N, 81°29’14.88″W
Saturday, January 4 | 1:00 p.m.
Re-enactment & Living History program – the 2nd SC Regiment
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 4 | 2:30 p.m.
Free People of Color in the American Revolution
Presented by Dr. Dangerfield
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Sunday, January 5 | 2:00 p.m.
Screening of “All for Liberty”
Followed by discussion with the actors
Location: Carolina Theater, 425 Main St N, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 11 | 11:00 a.m.
Unveiling of Cohen’s Bluff and Johnson’s Landing Interpretive Signs
With Dr. John Derden of Georgia Southern speaking on “Battle of Brier Creek”
Location: the end of Cohen’s Bluff Road; 32°50’30.66″N, 81°25’35.32″W; https://maps.app.goo.gl/teRXLG9cVj2fdmaL6
Saturday, January 11 | 12:30 p.m.
Re-enactment with the Brier Creek Skunk Brigade; Shooting of Cannons
Location: the end of Cohen’s Bluff Road; 32°50’30.66″N, 81°25’35.32″W; https://maps.app.goo.gl/teRXLG9cVj2fdmaL6
Saturday, January 11 | 2:30 p.m.
The Battle of Brier Creek
Presented by Dr. John Derden, Georgia Southern
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Sunday, January 12 | 3:00 p.m.
Carolana
Presentation by JD Lewis, followed by discussion
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 18 | 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Tea and Scones with Storyteller
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 18 | 2:00 p.m.
Screening of “Echoes of Glory” followed by a conversation with the actors
Location: Carolina Theater, 425 Main St N, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 25 | 1:30 p.m.
Finding Historic Sites/Wiggins Hill
Presented by John Alison
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Saturday, January 25 | 2:30 p.m.
Presentation by Rick Wise, Battlefield Trust
Followed by a discussion
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Sunday, January 26 | 3:00 p.m.
Allendale County Historical Society Annual Meeting
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Sunday, January 26 | 3:30 p.m.
Storytellers sharing tales about Tarlton Brown, Colonel James Thomson, and Willie
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Sunday, January 26 | 5:00 p.m.
Essay Winners Announced
Location: USC Salkehatchie Atrium, 465 James Brandt Blvd, Allendale, SC 29810
Project Director Anne Rice said, “We think this [programming] is greatly needed due to the lack of information presented in schools and to make people aware of how important South Carolina was to the victory achieved. […] Most people think that most of the Revolutionary War occurred in the North in 1776 and only think of the ‘Swamp Fox’ in South Carolina. They don’t realize that it ended in 1783 when the British departed from South Carolina.”
The Allendale County Historical Society’s mission is to promote and preserve the rich history of Allendale’s people. Learn more: https://www.achistoricalsociety.com/. For more information about the “Revolutionary Days” programming, visit the website https://www.allendalesc250.com/revolutionary-days or contact: allendalechs@gmail.com.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
