Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site
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Historic Camden Revolutionary War restoration, September 2012
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Camden, South Carolina, United States |
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| Area | 107 acres (0.43 km2) |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000170 |
| Added to NRHP | July 29, 1969 |
The Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site is a special place in Camden, South Carolina. It's like an outdoor museum that shows what life was like during the American Revolutionary War. This important site is about 40 minutes from Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital. It's one of the biggest places for tourists to visit in South Carolina.
The site covers 107 acres. It's also known as Historic Camden Revolutionary War Restoration. Here, you can see old buildings and grounds that look just like they did during the war. This area was very important in the southern part of the American Revolution. The National Park Service also helps manage this historic place.
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Discovering Camden's War History
Camden played a huge role in the American Revolutionary War. After the British took over Charleston, South Carolina, Camden became their main supply base. This was from the spring of 1780 to the spring of 1781. It was a key spot for two big battles: the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill.
Why Camden Was So Important
Camden was vital for the British to control the back country of South Carolina. Back then, Camden was a small town. It had homes and military barracks. A tall fence made of logs, called a palisade, surrounded the town. Five small forts, called redoubts, also protected it. Other strong buildings, like a house, a jail, and a powder magazine, were also part of its defenses. These were placed around the town to keep it safe.
The British really wanted to control Camden. It was located at a crossroads. These roads led to important southern cities like Charleston and Savannah, Georgia. The main Battle of Camden happened about 9 miles north of the site. Many other small fights took place within 20 miles of the town.
Between the summers of 1780 and 1781, the British won many of these battles. However, they lost many soldiers. These tough fights weakened the British army. They also made more people in Britain want the war to end.
A National Historic Landmark
Because of its important role in the war, Historic Camden was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. This means it's recognized as a very special place in American history. It shows how England tried to take control of the southern colonies in the late 1770s.
Exploring the Museum Site
At Historic Camden, you can see many buildings that have been rebuilt or fixed up. These buildings look just like they did during the colonial era. Many of them hold real items from the Revolutionary War found right at the site.
Historic Buildings and Exhibits
- Joseph Kershaw Mansion: This house was rebuilt in 1977. It's also called the Kershaw-Cornwallis House. The original mansion was used as the British headquarters. General Charles Cornwallis stayed here for eleven months while the British occupied the town.
- John Craven House: This house was restored and furnished in 1785.
- Cunningham House: Built in 1830, this house now has the tour office and a gift shop.
- Log Houses: Two log houses, built around 1800, now show exhibits. They teach visitors about the war and colonial times. These are the Bradley house and another Craven House.
- Moat and Fortifications: A moat, which was a ditch around the town during the Revolution, has been rebuilt. You can also see many military forts that have been reconstructed. They show what the defenses looked like back then.
- Blacksmith Exhibit: This exhibit offers live demonstrations. You can watch how blacksmiths worked in colonial times.
Fun Activities and Events
Historic Camden offers many ways to learn and have fun. You can take guided or self-guided tours of the site. There's also a 0.7-mile nature trail and a picnic area.
Revolutionary War Reenactments
For many years, Historic Camden hosted a popular event called "Revolutionary War Field Days." This event usually happened on the first weekend in November. In 2020, the reenactment moved to a new location in Kershaw, SC. This change happened because of new management and not enough space at Historic Camden.
How You Can Help
Historic Camden relies on donations and local government funding. Volunteers are very important for keeping the site and its buildings in good shape. If you're interested in history, you can even volunteer your time to help out!
Images for kids
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A view of the Historic Camden Revolutionary War Restoration site.
