Militia Drill or Tea Party & Fashion Show – Saturday, April 23
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Militia Drill or Tea Party? Why not both!
The Spartanburg County Historical Association Plans Two Exciting Events for Saturday, April 23
Looking for something to entertain guests on Easter Saturday? Have the gentlemen join the colonial militia while the ladies dress up for a tea party! On Saturday, April 23, the Spartanburg County Historical Association presents two events sure to interest everyone in the family.
At Walnut Grove Plantation, the guys (& gals) can take a trip back to frontier days when settlers in the South Carolina Backcountry relied on militia companies of ordinary citizens to protect their homes. In the 18th century, local militia regularly met at to drill – practicing weapons firing, marching, and other military tactics. During Militia Day at Walnut Grove Plantation, re-enactors from the South Carolina Rangers will drill at Walnut Grove, firing their weapons, demonstrating military survival techniques, and discussing the militia’s important role during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras.
On that same Saturday, the Spartanburg Regional History Museum will present an Afternoon Tea & Historic Southern Style Fashion Show at The Duncan Estate in Spartanburg. Mothers, daughters, granddaughters and ladies of all ages are invited to wear their favorite Easter bonnets and gloves for a fashion show portraying the significant styles of the early years of our history. The event features Mrs. Jeannie Rucker, a living history re-enactor and seamstress, sharing her wide knowledge of vintage clothing in a presentation of southern style. Treat yourself to an afternoon delight of food, beverage and music coupled with the style and ambiance of early fashions.
Tea & Fashion Show Details
2:00 p.m. $10 Ages 18+, $5 Children.
Tickets available at the door or in advance at the Regional History Museum.
The Duncan Estate, 840 Union Street, Spartanburg
864-596-3501; njefferies@spartanburghistory.org
Militia Day Details
11:00-4:00; $6 Ages 18+, $3 Ages 6-17, Free Ages 5 and under.
Walnut Grove Plantation, 1200 Otts Shoals Road, Roebuck.
864-576-6546; walnutgrove@spartanburghistory.org
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About Walnut Grove Plantation & The Spartanburg Regional History Museum
Walnut Grove Plantation tells the stories of the free and enslaved people who settled the South Carolina Backcountry and the rest of Britain’s American colonies, who fought for independence, and who, in the end, built a new nation. Charles and Mary Moore established the plantation on a 550-acre land grant. The Scots-Irish family raised ten children, including Revolutionary War heroine Kate Moore Barry, in the house they built about 1765 and lived in for the next 40 years. In late 1781, Loyalist William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham killed three Patriot soldiers at the plantation and sparked a small skirmish with local militia, which is reenacted each year in early October.
Walnut Grove offers the public guided tours of the plantation’s 250-year-old buildings. Frequent special events examine the history of 18th-century America and usually feature reenactors portraying soldiers and artisans from the time. Groups of ten or more people from schools, churches, scout troops, senior citizen groups, and other community organizations can schedule special tours and activities in advance.
The Spartanburg Regional History Museum showcases and captures our region’s life from before European explorers to the present. The collections of the Museum reflect our area’s rich heritage. The permanent collection provides a look at Spartanburg’s textile mills, military training camps Croft and Wadsworth, and a history in photographs. Our Decorative Arts Collection highlights the cultural uniqueness and creativity of Spartanburg County and Piedmont area craftsmen. The Museum’s collections also include postcards, toys and dolls, clothing, fine art and archives. Programs are available for all types of groups from students to senior adults.
The Spartanburg County Historical Association’s activities, and events are supported in part by The Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg and its donors, the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives funding from The National Endowment for the Arts, the City and County of Spartanburg, and by corporate and individual partners.
For more information, visit www.spartanburghistory.org, see photos from our special events on Flickr at flickr.com/spartanburghistory, or “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spartanburghistory.
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