The public is invited to attend a special commemoration marking the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Esseneca on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10 a.m. near the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) monument to the historic site of Fort Rutledge in Clemson.

The anniversary program will recognize the importance of the Battle of Esseneca and its place in the Revolutionary War history of the South Carolina backcountry. The event will also include the unveiling of new interpretive panels and a reconstructed section of the fort wall, helping visitors better understand the history of Fort Rutledge and the events that occurred there during the American Revolution.

The Battle of Esseneca took place during the opening months of the Revolutionary War, as Patriot forces worked to defend South Carolina’s frontier communities. The commemoration will provide an opportunity to remember those whose lives were affected by the conflict and to reflect upon the difficult and complicated history of the Revolutionary era.

The new interpretive features at the site will help preserve this important history and make it more accessible to students, residents, and visitors for generations to come.

Members of the community, descendants, history organizations, and all those interested in the story of America’s founding are encouraged to attend.