South Carolina Military Museum to Host “War Songs” Music Festival
April 16, 2025
The South Carolina Military Museum will host “War Songs,” a free, public music festival, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1 National Guard Rd., Columbia, SC 29201. The event will showcase local musical talent, celebrating community and military history with genres ranging from Revolutionary War-era strings to bluegrass and brass bands. Food vendors will be on site.
The festival commemorates the 250th anniversary of the raising of the first Continental regiments during the American Revolutionary War, highlighting a long-standing tradition of military and musical connection. Building upon the museum’s current “War Songs” exhibit, the festival will explore the historical role of music within the Armed Forces.
“People generally don’t realize the importance of music in the military,” said Curator of Collections Heather McPherson. “From directing troops to providing a morale booster, music has a history in the military dating back to the Revolutionary War, and this event will show that.”
Two performance stages will be established within the museum galleries: Stage A, located in the classroom at the end of Gallery 3, and Stage B, in Battery Bay. A lineup of five musical acts will perform throughout the day in one-hour blocks, beginning with a performance of the National Anthem by Miss South Carolina, Davis Walsh. Stage A will feature the Armed Services Veterans Band, Ashley Carder, and the Parris Island United States Marine Corps Band. Stage B will showcase the Zach Lemhouse string band, Carolina Pines, and a fife and drum band.
“We are so excited to have all of these groups showcasing such a wide variety of music,” said Christopher Mielke, museum’s curator of exhibits. “All of which ties back to South Carolina’s special role as a training ground for all branches of the U.S. military. I’m especially excited about the string bands.”
This event is made possible through the generous support of the SC250 Commission and the SC Arts Commission.
The South Carolina Military Museum is open to the public, free of charge, Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. hours. Last tours begin at 3:30 p.m. hours. The museum is located at 1 National Guard Road, Columbia, SC 29201. For further information, contact 803-299-4440.
