When it comes to events that educate, entertain and are great for the entire family, few compare to the Revolutionary War Days in historic Camden, South Carolina. For almost 50 years the festival has been bringing in people from all over the region to experience this era of America's rich history. The Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site is the home of the festival and back in the 18th century it was an actual base camp for the British forces in the area. On-site you’ll find two log cabins that are appropriate for the era, the 1785 John Craven House and the gift shop, which resides in the restored 1830 Cunningham House. There is even a blacksmith shed with a traditional working forge as well as reconstructions of the fortifications used during the war by the British. With all the authentic activities and structures, you’ll be fully immersed in the sights and sounds that helped America gain its independence and become the place it is today.
Aside from all the living history, there are plenty of food and refreshment options for you to take in. You can take a walk on the on-site nature trails or relax on the manicured lawns of the picnic area. Take in the wide range of shops on Sutlers Row, where you’ll find plenty of arts, crafts, and period reproductions and much more. Kids will love all the hands on activities, fun games and demonstrations geared directly for them. This is a great event to bring the entire family, whether you’re history fanatics or not. We got the chance to sit down with Joanna Craig, the Executive Director of Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, to talk about the event and the rich history it highlights.
RAL: Tell me about the event.
JC: The event has been running for 45 years. We have around 500 re-enactors, demonstrators, and living history interpreters who participate in our event. We typically draw around 1,500 people to the event annually. We draw a mix of seniors, families, couples, scouts, educators, school groups and history buffs.
RAL: What makes the Revolutionary War Days unique?
JC: The event takes place on the very grounds occupied by the British from 1780-81 during the Southern Campaign. This was their main supply post in the Carolina backcountry. Nine miles north of here was the worst defeat for American forces in the entire Revolutionary War.
RAL: Take me through a typical day at the event?
JC: We have many fun and entertaining activities like a period current fashion show, colonial games, kid’s conscription, an 18th century church service, living history demonstrations, craft making presentations, and a wide variety of colonial and Revolutionary War activities. All the activity and fun will work up a hunger, so we have food concessions on site for all guests to enjoy. The overall environment is made up to be a 18th century military camp. Its a painter palette of colonial and revolutionary lifestyles! Showing the British encamped as they would have been and the Americans on the campaign trail.
RAL: What can attendees expect for local lodging?
JC: There are several chain motels at exit 98 of I-20 which is 1.4 miles from the site of the event. Man bed and breakfasts are located in the historic district as well. Attendees shouldn't worry about the local lodging filling up because most of the participants are lodged in tents in the field. Otherwise, the vast majority of our visitors are day-trippers.
RAL: What does the Revolutionary War Days mean to the community and does it support any special causes?
JC: The event instills pride in the participants and in the community. It also reinforces Camden’s vital role in the forming of our Nation. The crowd drawn by the event has a positive effect on all the local shops and restaurants. The event supports the sustainability of our museum and ensure we can continue to put on this event in the future.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
JC: To learn about Colonial America, the Revolution and the various lifestyle lived by the people of that era. We want to help people gain a new appreciation for the lives of our ancestors who sacrificed so much for the greater good. It's a wonderful outing that offers the chance for discovery of who we are and where we came from. This is the 45th anniversary of an event that annually brings to life the brutal struggle of brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. It really is intended to highlight the fire of liberty that forged our country.
For more information please visit the event website and thier Facebook.
Event photograph provided by Cindy Davis Fussell