Childhood on the Plantation
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I received this and was asked to share…. quick summary from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 24, Walnut Grove Plantation presents “Childhood on the Plantation”.
Childhood on the Plantation Explores Children’s Lives during Peace and War in the Late 1700s
Roebuck, SC, April 15 — Living at the time of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, children of the late 1700s, particularly in frontier areas like the South Carolina Backcountry, were directly and intimately affected by war. Boys–teenaged and younger–served in armies and militia companies in both combat and non-combat roles. Some even worked as spies. Wives and children followed their husbands and fathers to war, performed many domestic duties in army camps, and at times picked up arms in battle themselves.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 24, Walnut Grove Plantation presents “Childhood on the Plantation” and delves into this unfortunate reality as local reenactors from the South Carolina Rangers conduct militia drills and weapons demonstrations throughout the day. Even during wartime, however, work and play went on as usual. Visitors to Childhood on the Plantation can experience some of that work by dipping candles and churning butter. Gardener Tim Foster will have garden chores that need to be completed and will talk about the colonial garden as a melding of African, European, and Native American cultures. Blacksmith Bruce Mills with be at the forge demonstrating his craft. Tours of the plantation house, kitchen, and schoolhouse will be available throughout the day. Admission for adults is $6.00 and for children (ages 6-17) is $4.00. Children 5 years and under are free. Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!
Charles and Mary Moore began Walnut Grove Plantation after receiving a land grant for the property from King George III. The Moores, who were Scots Irish immigrants, raised ten children in the house they built about 1765. Revolutionary War heroine “Kate” Barry numbered among those ten. Descendants owned the plantation house and eight surrounding acres until 1961 when they donated the property to the Spartanburg County Historical Association, which operates the site today. Tours of the restored historic buildings and special events on the plantation grounds offer visitors a glimpse into the lives of the people who settled the South Carolina backcountry, engaged British forces in the American Revolution, and played an important role in shaping the new nation. The importance of these settlers’ African American slaves and Native American neighbors is explored as well.
Walnut Grove Plantation is funded in part by The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg and its donors, by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives funding from The National Endowment for the Arts, by the City and County of Spartanburg, and by corporate and individual partners.
Founded in 1957, the Spartanburg County Historical Association explores and preserves our region’s history by collecting and sharing the stories and artifacts of the people who shaped that history. In addition to Walnut Grove Plantation, the Historical Association operates the Seay House, the Historic Price House, and the Spartanburg Regional History Museum.
For additional information, phone 864-576-6546 or email walnutgrove@spartanburghistory.org. You can also visit our website at www.spartanburghistory.org and even become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spartanburghistory.
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