Exhibit Sheds Light on Palmetto State’s Pivotal Role in the American Revolutionary War

A special traveling exhibit, “The American Revolutionary War in South Carolina,” opens at The Museum in Uptown Greenwood on Friday, Oct. 6with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The reception features local community members portraying the narratives of women and African Americans from that era. Among them will be interpreters embodying the roles of Author/Poet Phillis Wheatly and a Black Patriot who fought at Star Fort.

Created by the South Carolina State Museum, the traveling exhibit will be on display through Dec. 29. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit was brought to the Greenwood community by the Issaqueena Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution(NSDAR), through sponsorship from the Ascend Cares Foundation.

Helen Nazzaro, Regent of Issaqueena Chapter, NSDAR, said the exhibit is the first large public event in Greenwood for the upcoming American 250 celebrations of 2026.

“Over the next few years, as Americans prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we will see events and special programs about the Revolutionary War,” Nazzaro said. “It is important that we begin showcasing the important role that South Carolina played in the pursuit of liberty and the special stories of service related to Patriots from the Palmetto State.”

She praised The Museum staff for their contributions in bringing the exhibit to life for the Greenwood community. “We are fortunate to have the support of The Museum for this event,” she said. “They eagerly embraced the opportunity to bring the exhibit to Greenwood and to help us create additional materials about the war in our area.”

Battles and Skirmishes on South Carolina’s Soil

The extensive display examines the major role that the Palmetto State played in the American Revolution. South Carolina had more than 200 battles and skirmishes – the greatest number of all the colonies during the war for America’s freedom.

Museum guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the great turmoil that broke out leading up to the war between the colonies and Great Britain. 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. It also depicts the role of women and African-American Patriots in the American Revolution.

Complementing the State Museum’s informative panels, the exhibition also showcases uniquecontributions from the local community.

Clothing Reproductions

A collection of American Girl dolls, dressed to represent 18th-century women from all walks of life, will be on display. Erynn Price, a senior majoring in public history at Lander University, created the doll’s clothing to capture the lives of women from that era. Each dress is made with historically accurate materials such as brocade silk, fine cottons and rough-hewn linen. The meticulously handsewn clothing reproductions took three months to create.

18th-Century Dioramas

Dr. Franklin Rausch, a Lander history professor has constructed dioramas for the exhibit, including one of a colonial era farmhouse, accompanied by farm fields at various times of the season.

Rausch also created a display of the assault on Redoubt 10 at Yorktown, in which the famous Continental Light Infantry and the integrated Rhode Island Regiment participated in the American victory over the British.

South Carolina Humanities Council

A grant from the South Carolina Humanities Council enabled the State Museum to create the display which will travel to other cities in the state after it leaves Greenwood.