Camden Archives & Museum Exhibit: The American Revolutionary War In South Carolina

The Camden Archives & Museum has opened another new major exhibit - The American Revolutionary War in South Carolina.  The “traveling exhibit” examines the major role that South Carolina played in the Revolutionary War, where more than 200 battles and skirmishes took place, more than any other colony during the war. According to Executive Director Katherine Richardson, the Camden Archives & Museum selected this unique exhibit because of it complements the museum’s extensive collections of Battle of Camden and Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill maps and artifacts already in permanent collection.

“This exhibit provides a detailed overview of the Revolution in South Carolina with a heavy Camden component,” says Richardson. “The Archives & Museum staff used the resources in our collection to further focus on the two pivotal battles fought in Camden.  As well, we placed emphasis on the unsung players in that conflict - women, African, Americans, and Native Americans.  Planned programs feature historians who will expand our knowledge in those little known areas of Revolutionary War history.”

The exhibit looks at the great turmoil that broke out leading up to the war between the colonies and Great Britain and highlights major battles that took place in the Palmetto State, including the Battle of Camden, the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the Cherokee Attack and the Battle of Cowpens.  The exhibit also highlights the important role African Americans and women played in the war. 

Augmenting the traveling exhibit, Camden Archives & Museum has produced a documentary film on the Revolutionary War in Camden, and will feature four lectures during the three months the exhibit is in Camden.In addition, the museum will display artifacts from the Battle of Camden and information on the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill.  The artifacts were gathered during the Battle of Camden Project (2010), conducted by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. Other items on display will be a c1776 British “Brown Bess,” contemporary maps of both battles, prints, and an iron ladle used to pour grapeshot during the war. Funding support for the exhibit at the Camden Archives & Museum was received from The Humanities Council of SC.   

The traveling exhibit was created by the South Carolina State Museum, it along with elements augmented by the Camden Archives & Museum collection will be on display until October 29. Admission is free. To learn more, visit www.camdenschistory.com or call 803-425-6050