Watch as historians re-enact the Battle at Cowpens 245 years later
The anniversary of the Revolutionary War’s 1781 Battle of Cowpens gave battlefield visitors a dose of living history as the U.S. marks its 250th year.
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence will be celebrated in South Carolina and across the nation this year.
But in the Upstate, there’s reason to feel a special connection.
From Cowpens National Battlefield to King’s Mountain to Musgrove Mill and beyond, the number and significance of the Revolutionary War battles that took place in South Carolina’s Backcountry and neighboring areas of North Carolina are staggering.
Beyond the battlefields were stories of families torn apart, of individual Americans making incredibly difficult decisions as this region of the country was split among those who supported the Patriot movement and others who stayed loyal to the British Crown.
“I don’t think I would want to trade places with them,” said Chumley Cope, a Spartanburg-based scholar who leads tours of historic sites around the Southeast and beyond.
There was “family member against family member.” The war threatened starvation for many — there were refugees throughout the region just trying to survive, Cope said.
These are the stories that, in Cope’s view, help bring the story of America’s founding to life.
“There were real human predicaments — things to be studied. “None of it was real cut and dry. There’s lots of human drama.”
Renewed spotlight on the nation’s history
In 1976, the United States was caught up in patriotic fervor over the nation’s Bicentennial.
Fifty years later, there’s a renewed spotlight on the nation’s history.
Here in the Upstate, those who study history appreciate that the national celebration of 250 years of independence highlights the region’s connection to the American Revolution.
The understanding of that history has evolved since 1976, thanks to technology and those devoted to documenting the past.
“Genealogy has become more of a science. Technology has made it a more viable pursuit,” said Spartanburg-based historian and tour guide Chumley Cope.
Family histories have yielded discoveries about people and places important in the Revolutionary War, Cope said.
At the same time, preservation efforts in recent decades have made numerous battle sites more accessible and educational.
But, Cope said, it’s important to recognize past efforts to remember those who fought for independence.
In 1910, Daughters of the American Revolution chapters erected monuments in a flurry of activity to commemorate the war.
The site of the Cedar Springs battle in southern Spartanburg County is one of dozens of locations in the Upstate recognized and preserved for those who want to learn about the region’s Revolutionary War history.
See SC’s treasured views to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary
South Carolina is home to many historic places worth visiting this summer.
This spring, we featured many of these places, including the Burt-Stark Mansion, Fort Hill National Historic Landmark, Secession Hill, Scenic Highway 11, and Cowpens National Battlefield.
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary this summer, why not plan a visit to one of these historic sites?
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Where to celebrate America 250 in the Upstate
America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence will be celebrated on Independence Day, July 4, 2026.
Communities across the nation will mark the occasion with festivals, parades, fireworks, and backyard cookouts.
Here’s where to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial and the Fourth of July in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg counties.
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Celebrates America 250 with patriotic music, drone show this weekend
Travelers Rest will kick off a two-day celebration of America’s 250th anniversary this weekend, highlighted by the unveiling of a new statue honoring Revolutionary War heroine Dicey Langston and a community-wide slate of events.
The TR250 Celebration Weekend, set for Friday and Saturday, June 26–27, will feature historical programming, live performances, and a drone show finale — all centered on recognizing Langston’s legacy and the Upstate’s role in the nation’s founding.
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Learn about life at Walnut Grove Plantation
Visitors learned about life in the 18th century at Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck on Oct. 3, 2025, as America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026.
Watch the video below.
Walnut Grove 18th century living with music, food, camping and battles
Visitors learned about life in the 18th century at Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck on Oct. 3, 2025, as America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026.
Greenville Symphony to perform at Fireworks at Unity Park
Greenville’s annual Fourth of July celebration is getting a new twist this year, as a live symphony performance replaces the traditional recorded soundtrack to the city’s fireworks show.
The City of Greenville has partnered with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra to present a live concert during Fireworks at Unity Park, presented by Clemson MBA, scheduled for 6–10 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Unity Park, 320 S. Hudson St, Greenville, according to a community announcement.
The event will feature food vendors, live entertainment, and a fireworks finale choreographed to live orchestral music — a first for the city’s Independence Day celebration.
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Freedom Blast will mark America’s 250th birthday
This year’s Freedom Blast event in Greer will mark America’s 250th birthday and the city’s 150th anniversary, with a lineup that includes skydivers, fireworks, and a military tribute.
The event will take place Saturday, June 27, at Greer City Park, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission to the festival and parking are free, but attendees can pay for access to a Kids Zone with amusement rides and purchase food, drinks, and merchandise throughout the event.
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Is it legal to shoot off fireworks in SC?
Fourth of July is fast approaching, and this year marks the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing.
Communities around the nation and in South Carolina are gearing up for celebrations that will be bigger and louder than usual.
Staying safe is just as important as putting on a good show.
Understanding which fireworks are legal, which aren’t, and how to use them responsibly and where you’re allowed to set them off can make the difference between a festive night and a dangerous one.
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Traveler’s Rest unveils statue honoring Revolutionary War hero
Travelers Rest unveils statue honoring legacy of Dicey Langston
See the new monument honoring Dicey Langston, an Upstate native who was a hero during the Revolutionary War.
Baker Maultsby, Nina Tran, and Travis Rose are reporters for the Greenville News, Spartanburg Herald-Journal, and Anderson Independent Mail.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.greenvilleonline.com ’
