Did you watch that Ken Burns TV series about the American Revolution? Well, that was fine as far as a TV show goes. But if you want to experience the period yourself – complete with cannon fire – come to the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum on March 28.
That’s when we’ll be celebrating 2026 Revolutionary War Day. It lasts from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that Saturday, and admission is free. You also get into the museum galleries all day for free, and they contain plenty more about the Revolution. You may have been to one of our Rev War Days before – we have them every year – but this is the BIG ONE, celebrating our nation’s 250th birth year.
All around you will be soldiers, irregulars and civilians in period dress, a wide array of weapons, 18th-century tools, artifacts, plus demonstrations of drills involving muskets and cannon, including a blacksmith at work producing the hardware of the day.
There will be dramatic readings from the Declaration of Independence. You will hear music of the period, and a town crier will keep you up on what’s happening. Also, a limited number of muskets and tricorn hats will be available for volunteers to participate in a demonstration infantry drill.
You’ll also see actual, real-life men who fought in the Revolution. You won’t see them walking around, but in photographs. How can that be? Read on.
Here are some things you’ll find in different areas of the museum and its surroundings:
In the Atrium
- SC 1780 – That is to say, Southern Campaigns 1780 (that’s when the war really heated up here in South Carolina). This group will explain medical care available to wounded soldiers on the battlefield in those days.
- The life of a slave during the revolution will be explained, also by SC 1780. This is told through the experience of a black Patriot who had been a slave.
- Quill pen writing. Try it out. And watch out – it’s messier than you think.
- Coloring activity, with chairs for five young artists.
- Making corn husk dolls. They didn’t have Barbie in those days. Fortunately, if you make them right, they look a lot like women and girls wearing long dresses. And you can take them home.
- Overmountain Trail – Learn about backcountry life in 18th-century South Carolina.
- Historyman Comics table – Meet the author behind some wonderful comic books that bring the Revolutionary War to life. The comics, published by SC 250, are sold in the Relic Room gift shop.
- 7th Regiment of Foot – A display of items that a reenactor group uses to simulate a soldier’s life two-and-a-half centuries ago.
- Make pomander balls – Make them and take them home with you. What’s a pomander ball? Come and find out.
Outside
- Cannon firing. Yep, the real thing, happening at 10:30, 1:00, and 2:45. – presented by the SC 1780 group; we will see how a cannon crew prepares for firing and then get to experience it live. Don’t worry – no actual projectiles will be fired.
Education Room
- 11 a.m. – Ever wondered why there where so many flags during the American Revolution? Mark Anthony will tell you all about the symbols and what they mean.
- 2 p.m. Music played a vital role during the war – come learn why. Zach Lemhouse, Director of the Southern Revolutionary War Institute, will explain why and maybe even play for us.
Congaree Room
- Touch table with replica objects. You know how most museums – and this one most of the time, truth be told – are always telling you not to touch the artifacts? Well, you can leave your fingerprints all over these.
- Historic Games – Children didn’t have the same games we have today; come participate.
- Table presentation about women’s roles during the Revolution.
- Wooden cut outs/photo opportunity – Stick your face through the opening, and suddenly you’re in the 18th century, and have photographic proof to take home.
And there’ll be plenty more to fill your day. Don’t miss it. Come out to the Relic Room, 301 Gervais Street, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the 28th!
As for those photographs of Revolutionary veterans – have you ever taken a ride on a time machine? Well, we can’t offer you that, but here’s the next best thing: photos of actual Revolutionary War soldiers. Yes, we know photography wasn’t invented until long AFTER that conflict. But these daguerreotypes show the soldiers as old men, well into the following century.
“The Twilight of Revolutionaries and the Dawn of Photography” reopens in the museum’s Gist Gallery on Rev War Day. Be among the first to see it.
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