Clemson University’s Department of Historic Properties and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will continue to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution this fall with a series of events, including a book club, a documentary film series and day trips to historic sites across the Upstate. 

All events are free and open to the public, thanks to support from the SC250 Commission. 

1776 Book Club

The 1776 Book Club will read and discuss three books over the course of the fall:

• “His Excellency: George Washington” by Joseph J. Ellis – discussion on Tuesday, September 15
• “The Swamp Fox” by John Oller – discussion on Tuesday, October 20
• “Liberty’s Daughters: The Revolutionary Experience of American Women 1750-1800” by Mary Beth Norton – discussion Tuesday, November 17

A World Turned Upside Down: Ken Burns’ American Revolution

In this discussion series, participants will view and talk about clips of the Ken Burns PBS documentary series “The American Revolution.” Film viewings and discussions will be held at the Cheezem Education Center from 3-5 p.m. on three Wednesdays in September – September 16, 23 and 30. Contact OLLI at 864-633-5242 to register.

In the Footsteps of Freedom

This series of day trips will visit landmarks across the Upstate that are significant to Revolutionary War history. 

• Thursday, September 24: Kings Mountain National Military Park in Blacksburg — the site of an important American victory during the Revolutionary War, the first major Patriot victory after the British invasion of Charleston.
• Thursday, October 8: Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck — a place where local militia gathered before the Battle of Cowpens. Walnut Grove also highlights how free and enslaved people settled the South Carolina backcountry, fought for independence and built a new nation. 
• Thursday, October 29: Cowpens National Battlefield in Gaffney — the site of the Battle of Cowpens, the turning point of the Revolutionary War in the South, which was part of a chain of events leading to the Patriot victory at Yorktown.
• Thursday, November 12: Ninety Six National Historic Site — home of Star Fort, Ninety Six was a prominent strategic location in the Revolutionary War. The first land battle south of New England was fought here in 1775.

All trips include transportation and a boxed lunch. For reservations, contact Rhonda Gray at rgray6@clemson.edu or 864-656-2475.

All events are free and open to the public (OLLI membership not required). Donations are suggested and will be split between OLLI and the Department of Historic Properties.