Henry Laurens and the American Revolution
A wealthy merchant involved in the slave trade, this South Carolinian quickly emerged as a leader in pre-revolutionary Charleston. He was President of the Continental Congress in 1777 and 1778 when it met in York, Pa. during the British occupation of Philadelphia. This patriot was the only American ever to have been imprisoned in the Tower […]
Ann Pamela Cunningham: The Preservation of Mt. Vernon and the Veneration of George Washington
No undertaking is more important to the remembrance of George Washington and his leadership of the Revolution than Ann Pamela Cunningham’s organizing the effort to acquire, restore and preserve Mt. Vernon. In a time of national turmoil in the 1850’s, how did a 37 year old, semi-invalid, single woman from rural South Carolina do it? Her […]
Revolutionary War Stories in South Carolina
Uncover the often overlooked stories of Native American involvement during the Revolutionary War in South Carolina, highlighting their strategic roles and impact on the war effort. This program is part of the “Revolutionary Perspectives – Speaker Series” supported by the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission
Dressing for the 18th century
Aliene Humphries presents this program in 18th century attire and brings a mannequin and additional period clothing to the presentation. She invites volunteers to help dress Molly, the mannequin, in the many layers of traditional 18th century apparel. Humphries explains these layers and why women would wear them in the 18th century. This is a […]
South Carolina Women in the American Revolution
This presentation will tell of the important roles that women played during the American Revolutionary War in South Carolina. They were quite helpful, and this presentation will help you understand how. Women weren’t allowed to vote—much less write the history books. This is why we know so little about their significance. Here you will learn […]
The American Revolution in South Carolina
This presentation will review the origins of South Carolina’s break with England, its key leaders on both the Patriot and Loyalist sides, and how the events transpired to the fall of Charleston in May 1780. This topic can be refocused on single campaign and battles in the state, such as the Battle of Camden and […]
James and Dolley Madison: The First American Power Couple
James Madison (1751-1836), Father of the U.S. Constitution and Fourth President, and his wife Dolley Payne Todd Madison (1768-1849), had a remarkable partnership. This lecture demonstrates how their complementary skills and abilities created the paradigm of the married couple that we still associate with a President and First Lady. This program is part of the […]
Thomas Jefferson and Monticello
Author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, governor of Virginia, first Secretary of State, third President, and founder of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson was all these things and more. This lecture will look at Jefferson’s life and career through the lens of Monticello, his plantation home in […]
Art and the American Revolution
How did artists depict the American Revolution while it was happening and shortly after independence was won? What visual knowledge was available to newly minted Americans about the war and its heroes? How was the war remembered fifty and seventy-five years later, as the nation headed towards Civil War? This program is part of the “Revolutionary […]
South Carolina History is American History
This lecture shows how the story of South Carolina deeply impacted the story of the United States. Using numerous examples from the 16th century onwards, this lecture demonstrates how the actions of South Carolinians and events in South Carolina contributed to the success of the British colonies in North America, the colonial rebellion and the […]
The Swamp Fox- A Bibliographical History of Francis Marion
“Swamp Fox, Swamp, tail in his hat. Nobody knows where the Swamp Fox’s at.” Sang Marion’s men in a 1959 miniseries produced by Walt Disney. But that is only one of dozens books, films and television productions devoted to the life of Marion since 1805. This takes a look at what these representations got right […]
South Carolina’s Irish Patriots of the American Revolution
The story of the Irish in the American Revolution has not gotten its proper due. Of the 29 men who represented SC in the Continental and Confederation Congresses, 8 were Irish-Americans, including two signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. 11% of veterans of the American Revolution from SC who applied for […]
Cherokees in 18th Century South Carolina
Exploring Cherokee culture prior to European settlement is crucial to comprehending their values, gender roles, internal and external relationships, diplomacy, and conflict during this pivotal era in Cherokee history. The audience will learn how Cherokees dealt with European colonization, their relationships with South Carolinians and the British, and how they responded to the American Revolution […]
Cherokees in the Revolutionary Era: Diplomacy, Conflict, and Peace
Exploring the worldview of the Cherokees provides insights into the events that occur as colonists of South Carolina begin to discuss grievances with the rule of Great Britain. Experiences in the French and Indian War (1754-63) had affected Cherokee diplomacy and their alliances. As some colonists begin to fight for their independence, some Cherokee leaders […]
Blue, Red, & Black: African Americans and the Revolutionary War
What role did black people play in the quest for liberty? This presentation and PowerPoints of period artwork, illustrations, and historical documentation addressing the little-known, yet significant impact African Americans made in US history during the period of 1763-1783. This program is part of the “Revolutionary Perspectives – Speaker Series” supported by the South Carolina American Revolution […]
Helping Teach South Carolina History With Picture Books
Kate has written four picture books about our state’s history: Palmetto – Symbol of Courage, about the famous Revolutionary War battle that inspired the color and symbols on our beautiful state flag; Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox, the story of South Carolina’s most famous Revolutionary War hero; Almost Invisible – Black Patriots of the […]
The Importance of South Carolina During the American Revolutionary War
There is much more to the role of South Carolina than just what happened on the battlefield! In this presentation, Aliene Humphries talks about the fascinating but little-known stories of the Revolutionary War’s Southern Campaigns both on and off the battlefield. She has 64 sites included in the timeline of events. This talk correspondings with Aliene’s […]