For Immediate Release:
August 18, 2026
Contact:
Olivia Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Culture & Heritage Museums
www.chmuseums.org
803.909.7244
By The Sweat Of Our Brows Returns Honoring Legacy, Community And Shared History
Exploring the Revolutionary War Through the Lives of the Enslaved
McCONNELLS, S.C. – As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Historic Brattonsville examines this pivotal period through a broader historical lens that gives a voice to the voiceless during By the Sweat of Our Brows. This annual living history event centers on the experiences of enslaved people of African descent, but this year explores how the promises of liberty and freedom were pursued and challenged within the Brattonsville community.
The 11 a.m. Calling of the Names honors those enslaved at the former Bratton Plantation. Every year descendants honor their ancestors by reading the names of those who lived and labored on the plantation. This year’s lists include the earliest comprehensive list of people enslaved on the Bratton farm from William Bratton's 1813 will, followed by the 1865 Freedmen's List. This contrasts the first generation with the last and will be read by the present living generation of those descended from the people whose names are being read and honored.
Additional timed activities surrounding ongoing programming include a guided battlefield tour at 11:30 a.m. that tells the stories of Watt, Weaver George and Miller Sam, a keynote presentation follows by Culture & Heritage Museums historian Zachary Lemhouse, "To The Last Drop of Blood: African Americans in the American Revolution” at 12:30 p.m. and a site tour, “What Happened Next” is at 1:30 p.m., focusing on life on the 19th century plantation. Brattonsville descendants of a variety of ages will also be sharing the lasting impact of history across generations at 2:30 p.m.
A "Look With Your Hands" sensory tour of an 18th century house from the perspective of an enslaved woman named Polly who lived there will be available throughout the day as well as historical cooking, blacksmithing and agricultural demonstrations. Living historians portraying the British Army's 7th Regiment of Foot will also be onsite showing how British military policy influenced freedom-seeking efforts among enslaved people in South Carolina.
Throughout the day, tours of the Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground will highlight Watt's headstone, the African American who had the choice of freedom with the British, or of warning Col. Bratton of the British advancement. The Historical Center of York County will also be on hand to showcase original York County court records, wills and newspaper accounts that document the lives of enslaved people connected to Brattonsville and Watt. And descendants of both the Bratton family and the people enslaved on the Bratton Plantation will be sharing family history and stories, how they connected both sides and projects they are working on together.
Descendant Christopher Cathcart and son of Wali Cathcart, shares, “There is no stronger bond between people than a shared history—both the pleasant and the difficult. By the Sweat of Our Brows beautifully reminds older generations of this truth while encouraging younger generations to continue the important work of honest study and detailed preservation. I am very proud that my family has such a vital role in this important project.”
By the Sweat of Our Brows encourages visitors to consider the American Revolution from people’s perspectives that are often unheard and provide an opportunity to honor these lives of those who shaped our history through a better understanding of the complex legacy of freedom in the Carolina Piedmont.
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WHAT: By the Sweat of Our Brows: A Revolutionary Legacy
WHERE: Historic Brattonsville 1444 Brattonsville Rd. McConnells, S.C. 29726
WHEN: September 12, 2026 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WEBSITE: chmuseums.org/event/sweat/
VISITOR SERVICES: 803.684.2327
IMAGE(S):
- Descendants, both African American and white, gather on the steps of the Homestead for a family photo
- Christopher Cathcart and his father, Wali Cathcart pause for a photo
- Historic cooking demonstrations show 18th century foodways
All images courtesy of Culture & Heritage Museums. Contact omitchell@chmuseums.org for high resolution images.
About Historic Brattonsville:
Historic Brattonsville is a living history site that presents the agricultural and social history of the Carolina Piedmont from the American Revolution through the Reconstruction Era. The site features over 30 historic structures, including family houses, that provide the setting for the story of the Brattons, those enslaved on the plantation, and the Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground, the final resting place of 481 people of African descent. The site spreads over 800-acres and comprises farmed land with heritage breed animals, a Revolutionary War battlefield, and a nature preserve with miles of walking trails. Seasonal events, reenactments, and living history programs interpret life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Historic Brattonsville is included in The Green Book of South Carolina – a travel guide to African American cultural sites.
Museum Membership:
Become a Culture & Heritage Museums member and enjoy one year of exclusive benefits including free general admission to all CHM museum sites: Historic Brattonsville, Museum of York County and Main Street Children’s Museum. Membership helps support the work of preserving and communicating the cultural and natural history of the Carolina Piedmont. Consider becoming a CHM member and/or give the gift of CHM membership. Details at chmuseums.org/membership.
Museums for All:
As part of the Museums for All initiative, all Culture & Heritage Museum sites provide reduced admission for low-income families; visit museums4all.org for more information. Culture & Heritage Museum sites are also KultureCity® Certified and Sensory InclusiveTM.