The Upcountry of South Carolina played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Marking the 250th anniversary, there are events throughout the year. From immersive reenactments and live demonstrations to special exhibits and educational lectures, the Upcountry is bringing this history to life!
Here are the summer exhibits and events that you won’t want to miss.
Exhibits:
Anderson County Museum – In Our Revolutionary Era The Anderson County Museum opens its temporary exhibit entitled In Our Revolutionary Era: Exploring Anderson County in the Age of Independence. Exhibit open February 10,2026-June 30, 2026.
Sigal Music Museum – American Voices: Lost and Found An exhibition in celebration of American musical life and the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, telling the story of music in the early United States. American Voices: Lost & Found explores the music that was present at the dawn of the United States. Home to one of the largest collections of historic musical instruments in the country, Sigal Music Museum is well-positioned to present an exhibition that gives visitors a front row seat to the beginnings of our musical history. Exhibit open March 28, 2026-December 29, 2026
Upcountry History Museum Upcountry Road to Freedom: Upstate South Carolina During the American Revolution Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, the exhibition will focus on Upcountry South Carolina people, places, and events. This major exhibition, organized by the Upcountry History Museum in partnership with Clemson University and private collectors, will explore the lesser known people of the Upcountry South Carolina, who helped turn 13 colonies into one nation. Exhibit Open April 25, 2026- September 5, 2027.
Carolina Rising Museum Carolina Rising will showcase revolutionary history with immersive projection and adaptive technology. Personalized interactive technology will adapt the museum’s content to each visitor’s age, allowing for Whigs and Tories of all ages to experience the excitement. Through innovation, revolutionary stories will be reborn. Visitors won’t just listen to personal accounts from the colonial backcountry, they will interact with the people themselves.
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Life in the Upstate: 1776 Exhibit At The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, history comes to life in a way families can play and build together. Wander into a day in the life of Upstate South Carolina in 1776, where little hands can explore an interactive map, build their own log cabin, hop into a wagon, and discover what everyday life looked like long before screens and school bells. This is the only children’s museum in the state hosting a 250th anniversary exhibit! Exhibit opens June 27, 2026.
Events:
Upcountry History Museum The Bloody Summer of 1780 Join Historian and Battlefield Preservationist Durant Ashmore for a Lecture on The Bloody Summer of 1780 – The Patriot resistance slowly emerges. Thomas Sumter and Francis Marion take to the field. June 2, 2026 5:30PM-6:30PM.
Kings Mountain Military Park Revolutionary War Adventure Day Join us on June 7th at Kings Mountain Military Park, and discover the site that changed everything at Kings Mountain National Military Park. Known as the “turning point of success,” this battlefield marks a decisive Patriot victory that shifted the momentum of the war. During Adventure Day, explore authentic materials, weapons, tools, and equipment used by soldiers on the mountain. Walk the same ground, and immerse yourself in the strategy, grit, and determination that helped shape a nation. To top it all off, participants get to walk away with a Kings Mountain patch to commemorate the day! June 7, 2026 10:00AM-3:30PM.
Greenville Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival Step into the past this June as the Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival returns for ten days of engaging, family-friendly performances across Greenville, Spartanburg, Abbeville, and Liberty. All events are free and open to the public. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this year’s theme, “Revolutionary Americans,” highlights individuals who shaped the nation’s founding and continued its pursuit of a more perfect union. Through nationally acclaimed historical interpreters, audiences will experience powerful, first-person storytelling followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions. Each performance concludes with the actor stepping out of character to provide historical context and answer audience questions. June 12-21, 2026.
Walnut Grove Plantation Revolutionary War Adventure Day Join us on June 13th at Walnut Grove Plantation, where history becomes a hands-on experience. This beautifully preserved site offers engaging learning opportunities for all ages, where you can explore colonial life through interactive demonstrations and storytelling. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the time period through the eyes of enslaved Africans. Adventure Day here is perfect for curious minds—step into the daily lives of early settlers and discover how ordinary people played extraordinary roles in America’s fight for independence. To top it all off, participants get to walk away with a Walnut Grove Plantation patch to commemorate the day! June 13, 2026 9:30AM-1:00PM.
Anderson County Museum Meet with a Revolutionary War Militiaman Living Historian Bill Williamson will be dressed and geared up like a Revolutionary War militiaman at the Anderson County Museum on June 23 at 5:30 PM. He portrays a militia soldier from South Carolina and talks about life during that period. Several of his ancestors were from the Ninety-Six District and served under Andrew Pickens. He draws his inspiration from them and uses these programs to show his love of South Carolina history and to honor their service. June 23, 20265:30PM-6:30PM.
The Cherokee County Museum – Speaker Series Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society will be hosting speakers lecturing on topics related to the American Revolution. On June 25, the guest speaker is Joshua Shumak, a nationally recognized policy consultant, educator, and advocate for Indigenous communities. June 25, 2026 at 6:00PM.
Anderson County Museum – Carolina Kids Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday A free event for children to celebrate the 250th birthday of America. Free Admission. The event will feature balloon animals, games, scavenger hunts, a temporary tattoo station, and of course, birthday cake at the Anderson County Museum. June 30, 2026 1:00PM-3:00PM
Battle of Cedar Springs: How Spartanburg Got Its Name Join us as we honor one of Spartanburg County’s earliest Revolutionary War victories—and one of its bravest women. During the Revolution, Patriot leader John Thomas was captured and confined at Ninety Six. His wife, Jane Black Thomas, followed him on a grueling sixty-mile journey. Along the way, she overheard Loyalist women discussing a planned attack on the Patriot camp at Cedar Springs the next night. Without hesitation, Mrs. Thomas mounted her horse and rode sixty miles back through dangerous territory to warn the men at Cedar Springs. Experience this powerful story, brought to life through musket demonstrations, living-history camps, and battlefield interpretation. July 18, 2026 10:00AM-2:00PM.
Liberation Day at Fort Thicketty Liberation Day commemorates that bold stand for freedom. Experience living history demonstrations, engaging interpretation, and the powerful story of neighbor against neighbor in a Revolutionary War civil conflict that shaped our region. Bring your family and rediscover the courage, conviction, and community spirit that helped turn the tide in the South Carolina Backcountry. July 25, 2026 10:00AM-2:00PM.