The First Oval Office: Step into the tent where it happened

A replica of General George Washington’s Revolutionary War tent, the office and sleeping quarters that he used as the command center of the Continental Army, will cover Rivers Green on the College of Charleston campus June 12 – 14, 2026.

Made possible by Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution, The First Oval Office Project features a hand-stitched replica tent and associated camp equipage and furnishings that promise to connect the Charleston community to the living legacy of America’s founding.

The tent will be pitched on Rivers Green, the College of Charleston’s primary greenspace located next to the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library. A private, ticketed evening reception will be held on Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. and offer an intimate experience to explore the tent and interact with the Museum’s historical interpreters. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

On June 13 and 14, the tent and its interactive programming  will be available to the public free of charge from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, a boutique exhibit will be available for viewing in Addlestone Library with items rarely, if ever, on public display. These archival materials tell the stories of everyday Charlestonians during the Revolutionary War and explores the legacy of America’s founding ideals from the perspectives of women, African Americans, Jewish communities and more.

The exhibit’s treasures are drawn from the holdings of the College of Charleston Special Collections, the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and the South Carolina Historical Society.

“This is exactly the kind of experience a library hopes to create—where something isn’t just read about, but experienced,” says John White ‘99, dean of College Libraries. “Moments like this remind us that history is layered. The tent represents leadership and decision-making at the highest level, while the materials in the exhibit reveal how those same events were experienced by people in Charleston from all walks of life and backgrounds.”

The timing could not be more fitting. The First Oval Office Project will take place just days before Carolina Day, which commemorates South Carolina’s pivotal 1776 victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, and amid the nationwide celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“The First Oval Office Project reminds us all of the determination and commitment of soldiers from a variety of backgrounds in the American Revolution, who often faced extraordinarily difficult odds and extreme hardships across all thirteen colonies,” says Sandra Slater, professor of history and director of the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program.“Immersive experiences allow all of us, not just scholars of early American history, to imagine the lived realities of our founding generation in ways more tangible than the written word.”

Partners for the First Oval Office Project event include the College of Charleston’s Libraries, the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program, the South Carolina Historical Society and the Museum of the American Revolution. General George Washington’s original sleeping and office tent from the Revolutionary War is on permanent display at the Museum of the American Revolution in historic Philadelphia.

Media Availability:

The First Oval Office Project is a striking visual that brings the scale and reality of 18th-century field command to life in a way readers and viewers will remember.

June 12: Media outlets are encouraged to capture the tent’s period-accurate pitching and may also conduct interviews with the Museum’s historical reenactors.

June 12 – 14: Sandra Slater, history professor, will be available for scheduled interviews. She will be joined by historial Joel Anderson.

RSVP to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.

The College Libraries make available a comprehensive collection of scholarly resources, expert instruction and diverse programming to support the College’s mission of developing ethically centered, intellectually versatile, and globally fluent citizens who create innovative solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. The College Libraries promote intellectual curiosity, creative and collaborative learning and an uncompromising commitment to open and equitable access to information, redefining liberal arts education through innovation, instruction and technology to meet the educational and professional needs of the communities the College Libraries serve. library.charleston.edu  

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston’s mission is to provide students with a world-class education in the arts and sciences, business and technology, engineering and health sciences. Students have more than 150 majors and minors from which to choose — and they often choose to combine several—and complement their academic courses with overseas study, undergraduate research and internships for a truly customized education.

 Nearly 12,000 students choose the college for its unique urban, mid-sized university feel. The College, home to undergraduates from across the country and around the globe, provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged and guided by a committed and caring faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars. The city of Charleston serves as a living and learning laboratory for student experiences and opportunities for career development. The university bridges the old with the new in a setting that is truly extraordinary — where historic character and forward-looking innovation come together to shape a distinctive and inspiring environment for learning. A College of Charleston education focuses on discovery and personal growth, as well as preparation for life, work, and service to our society.