News

Revolutionary War site with kiosks a dream for town

June 15, 2003

CAMDEN, S.C. -- August 16, 2005, will mark the 225^{th anniversary of the Battle of Camden, a critical battle in the Revolutionary War. If town leaders have their way, they will be breaking ground on the Battle of Camden National Military Park, complete with interpretations of the battle displayed on interactive kiosks.}

"I know it might take longer than [three years]," said Joanna Craig, executive director of Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site, "but that's my dream."

Historic Camden hosted a public hearing last week on a strategic plan to accomplish just that. For more than two years, Craig, along with dozens of members of the Battle of Camden Project Advisory Council, have worked on the plan to learn from and protect the thousands of acres involved, according to an article in the Camden Chronicle-Independent.

Recommendations include rejuvenating the park area with an oval drive and parking spaces and giving the area the appearance of the Revolutionary period, building a kiosk with interpretation panels describing and depicting the battle and constructing walking trails.

The Battle of Camden is a story of a horrible patriot defeat that actually helped win the Revolutionary War, the article said. When British forces, moving north from Camden, met American troops coming back down along what is now Flat Rock Road the Virginia Militia collapsed, allowing the British to flank the entire American line.

Much of the artifacts and information found are being catalogued on the Battle of Camden Web site at www.battleofcamden.org, operated by the Kershaw County Historical Society.