Explore South Carolina's top living history weekends
1. Brattonsville Civil War Reenactment
Location: Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells
Date: Oct. 25–26, 2014
The annual Civil War Reenactment at Historic Brattonsville doesn’t depict a specific battle, but the plantation homes and open fields of the Upstate homestead museum provide a picturesque backdrop for an educational living history weekend.
Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children ages 4–17. Members and children 3 and under admitted free.
Contact: (803) 684-2327, chmuseums.org/brattonsville
2. The Battle of Cheraw
Location: Riverside Park, 1 Church St., Cheraw
Date: March 27–29, 2015
This annual reenactment marks the skirmish fought in the spring of 1865 as Sherman’s troops marched through the city en route to North Carolina. Confederate forces were forced to retreat but slowed the Union advance by burning a bridge across the Pee Dee River.
Admission: Free
Contact: (843) 537-9810, 6thregimentsc.org/C_Co/bocheraw.htm
3. The Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel
Location: Rankin Plantation, 4789 East Old Marion Highway, Florence
Date: March 2015. Exact days to be determined.
The 2015 event will commemorate the 150th anniversary of a raid by Union troops on the Florence railroad depot. Confederate troops and the local home guard successfully defended the town.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students under 18. Children under 12 admitted free.
Contact: 23rdsc.com/event
4. Living History Weekend at Boone Hall Plantation/Battle of Secessionville
Location: Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant
Date: November 7–9, 2014
The state’s largest Civil War reenactment is held each November and draws as many as 1,000 reenactors and 5,000 spectators. The 2014 event will depict the Battle of Secessionville. On June 16, 1862, more than 6,000 Union troops landed on James Island in an attempt to seize Charleston by land. Marshy terrain slowed the federal troops as they approached rebel defenses at Fort Lamar, where a much smaller force of Confederates held off the attack. Admission: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $10 for children ages 6–12.
Contact: (843) 884-4371, boonehallplantation.com/events.php
5. The Battle of Charleston
Location: Legare Farms, 2620 Hanscombe Point Road, Johns Island
Date: March 2015. Exact days to be determined.
Although held in March, this annual event commemorates skirmishes that took place July 6–9, 1864, when 8,000 Union troops landed on James Island and Johns Island in a failed attempt to encircle Charleston.
Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 5–12. Children 4 and under admitted free.
Contact: (843) 559-0788, battleofchas.com or facebook.com/pages/Battle-of-Charleston/161516493876579
6. The Battle of Pocotaligo
Location: Frampton Plantation, 1 Lowcountry Lane, Yemassee (event parking at 634 Campground Road)
Date: Jan. 24–25, 2015
Although held in January, this annual event marks skirmishes that took place Oct. 21–22, 1862. Union troops stationed on Hilton Head Island moved inland, seeking to destroy Confederate rail lines, but were forced to retreat when they encountered Confederate defensive works at the village of Pocotaligo.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Children 7 and under admitted free.
Contact: (843) 717-3090, battleofpocotaligo.com
7. The Battle for Broxton Bridge
Location: Broxton Bridge Plantation, 1685 Broxton Bridge Road, Ehrhardt
Date: March 6–8, 2015
The 2015 event will mark the 150th anniversary of the fighting along the banks of the Salkehatchie River. On Feb. 3, 1865, a band of 1,200 Confederates held up two brigades of Union troops for a day as federal forces marched toward Columbia. The reenactment takes place at a private hunting plantation, but the actual battlefield is preserved nearby at Rivers Bridge State Historic Site.
Admission: $10 for adults, $3 for ages 6–17. Children 5 and under admitted free.
Contact: (803) 625-3585, broxtonbridge.com/battle.htm
8. The Battle for Columbia
Location: Wade Hampton Camp, 1291 Valley Ridge Road, Gaston
Date: May 2, 2014 (open to registered school groups only)
Organizers have cancelled events for the general public this year but will conduct living history demonstrations for students.
Contact: wadehamptoncamp.org/bfc-index.html
9. The Battle of Aiken
Location: Barnard E. Bee Camp, 1210 Powell Pond Road, Aiken
Date: Feb. 20–22, 2015
The 2015 event will mark the 150th anniversary of the fighting that took place in and around the city near the end of the Civil War. Union and Confederate forces faced off in several bloody encounters Feb. 6–12, 1865.
Admission: $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 ages 6–12. Children 5 and under admitted free.
Contact: battleofaiken.org
10. Civil War Living History and Reenactment Weekend
Location: Denver Downs Farm Corn Maze, 4915 Clemson Blvd (Highway 76), Anderson
Date: October 25–26, 2014
This general living history weekend will showcase camp life for Civil War artillery, infantry and cavalry units before the soldiers engage in a mock battle for the farm.
Admission: $12 (includes admission to the corn maze).
Contact: (864) 222-0336, denverdownsfarm.com
11. The Battle of Anderson
Location: 715 Due West Road (Highway 20), Honea Path
Date: March 2015. Exact days to be determined.
This event recreates one of the war’s last skirmishes east of the Mississippi. On May 1, 1865, a battalion of cadets from The Citadel exchanged fire with Union cavalry near the town of Williamston.
Admission: $5
Contact: (864) 934-4075, battleofanderson.org
12. The Battle of Congaree Creek
Location: 1291 Valley Ridge Road, Gaston
Date: Dec. 5–7, 2014
This annual reenactment commemorates a four-hour battle that took place outside Columbia in the waning days of the war. On Feb. 15, 1865, advancing Union troops squared off against Confederate soldiers entrenched behind earthworks erected near Congaree Creek.
Admission: $5. Veterans and children under 12 admitted free.
Contact: battleatcongareecreek.com
13. The Battle of Honey Hill
Location: 66 Cypress Ridge Drive, Ridgeland
Date: Nov. 21–23, 2014
This reenactment marks the 150th anniversary of a failed Union attempt to cut the Charleston & Savannah Railroad near Grahamville on Nov. 30, 1864. Determined Confederate troops under Col. Charles. J. Colcock successfully repelled the advance during a day of heavy fighting.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 for kids 12 and up.
Contact: colcock2100scv.org/events.html
Note: Dates, admission prices and other details are subject to change.
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14. Living History VIII
Location: Cross Keys House, 153 Old Buncombe Road, Union
Date: April 25–26, 2015
The 2015 event will mark the 150th anniversary of a visit by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. On the run after the fall of Richmond, Davis and his cabinet stopped for lunch at the Cross Keys House on April 30, 1865. Just days later, Davis disbanded the defeated Confederate government while lodged at the Burt-Stark Mansion in Abbeville. Although no battles were fought in Union, the reenactment will include a skirmish between blue and gray troops.
Admission: Free
Contact: (864) 429-5081 or crosskeysevent.com
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Travel Tips
Check the weather. Civil War reenactments are outdoor events and they usually go on rain or shine. Review the forecast, and pack sunscreen, a hat or a jacket as needed.
Check the schedule. Friday events are usually restricted to pre-registered school groups. Battles are staged for the general public in the early afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays, but they are only half the fun. Chances are there will be speakers, live music, games for the kids and even church services conducted by reenactors before and after the fight.
Take a seat. Arrive early and carve out your corner of the spectator area with a folding chair or blanket.
Get plugs. Civil War reenactments are loud. Children and those with sensitive hearing should wear ear plugs.
Bring cash. Admission fees are usually collected in cash, plus you may want to purchase souvenirs, drinks and snacks from the sutlers on site.
Go visiting. Before and after the battle, visitors are usually free to tour the reenactor camps. Living historians love to share their hobby and will gladly answer your questions.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a lot, possibly on unstable ground.
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