For Immediate Release:
June 2, 2026
Contact:
Olivia Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Culture & Heritage Museums
www.chmuseums.org
803.909.7244
250th Celebrations at Historic Brattonsville
McCONNELLS, S.C. - Historic Brattonsville has a full slate of events coming up commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, inviting visitors to experience the people, places, and stories that helped shape the fight for independence in the Carolina Piedmont.
As visitors step onto the 800 acre historic site, history comes alive, from the Revolutionary War colonel and his family’s courageous fight for liberty to the battlefield trail, which was a turning point for Patriot morale during the struggle for independence.
Independence Day Celebrations
Sat. June 27 - Independence Day traditions with patriotic speeches and toasts, summertime cold treat inspirations, readings of the Declaration of Independence, battlefield tours, games and hot air balloon launches.
Sat. July 4 – In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, watch demonstrations of the military actions in the Backcountry of South Carolina, including the Battle of Huck’s Defeat, fought on Brattonsville property in 1780. Guided battlefield tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will examine the events leading up to the battle, the people involved, and the significance of the Patriot victory in slowing the British advance during the Southern Campaign. Visitors will also be able to explore domestic life, artisan trades, and military history from the Revolutionary era through interactive demonstrations.
18th century Living History Saturdays
Historic Brattonsville’s popular Living History Saturday series has a special 250th focus bimonthly throughout this year. Visitors will see snapshots of what life would have been like during this time, watch militia drills, see trade and arts demonstrations, and go on guided tours of the Huck’s Defeat battlefield. Battlefield tours are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Upcoming 18th century Living History Saturday dates:
- June 6 and 20
- July 25 (July 11 & 12 battle reenactment details below)
- Aug. 8 and 22
- Sept. 5 and 26
- Oct. 10 and 24
- Nov. 14 and 28
- Dec. 5 and 19
Battle of Huck’s Defeat Reenactment Weekend
The annual Battle of Huck’s Defeat reenactment brings to life when the Patriot militia forces defeated Loyalist troops led by Capt. Christian Huck. This year’s reenactments take place July 11–12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Special highlights include:
- Revolutionary War battle reenactments at 2 p.m.
- Sat. July 11 – The Battle of Eutaw Springs
- Sun. July 12 – The Battle of Huck’s Defeat
- Cavalry and artillery demonstrations
- Keynote presentation by the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum
- “American Revolution: The Augmented Reality Exhibition presented by the Charlotte Museum of History
- Quill pen and ink letter writing
- Reenactor camps and military encampments, plus children’s militia drills
- Battlefield and preservation tours
Carolina Days Programs
SC250 is celebrating S.C.’s pivotal role in the American Revolution with special Carolina Days events throughout the state. Historic Brattonsville is joining in with the “Carolina Kids” theme on June 30 and “Made in Carolina” on July 2.
“Carolina Kids” on Tues. June 30 will feature a look at the lives of children during the American Revolution and a peek into some of the trades they would have learned, including blacksmithing and “mantua” making. Trade was balanced with fun and modern day visitors will be able to try their hand at toys and games of the 18th century. A tour of the Huck’s Defeat 1780 battlefield will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“Made in Carolina” on Thurs. July 2 supports locally grown and made S.C. products by exploring local goods produced in the 18th century, including basket weaving and dyeing with indigo, the official color of the S.C. state flag. A tour of the Huck’s Defeat 1780 battlefield will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Weekly 18th century Interpretation
Every Tues. and Thurs., programs feature rotating living history demonstrations exploring daily life in the Carolina Piedmont during the Revolutionary era, along with tours of the battlefield.
As the nation commemorates America’s 250th anniversary this year, Historic Brattonsville will continue to share the stories, people, and places that helped shape the nation’s founding through this year’s Sestercentennial celebrations and beyond, highlighting its pivotal role in York County and South Carolina’s American history through 2031.
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WHAT: Historic Brattonsville’s 250th themed events
WHERE: Historic Brattonsville 1444 Brattonsville Rd. McConnells, S.C. 29726
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
WEBSITE: chmuseums.org/brattonsville
VISITOR SERVICES: 803.684.2327
IMAGE(S):
- Patriotic historic flags hang from the balcony of the Homestead House
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.