Annual Revolutionary War Re-enactment October 1-2 during FestiFall at Walnut Grove Plantation
Sign up for our South Carolina Genealogy newsletter:
Hear the muskets fire! Feel the cannon roar! See the American Revolution come to life during FestiFall at Walnut Grove Plantation! Late in the War for Independence, William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham, a Loyalist militia captain and deserter of the American cause, attacked Walnut Grove Plantation, killed three Patriot soldiers, and sparked a skirmish with local militia. At FestiFall, experience a re-enactment of this raid on Walnut Grove by Captain Cunningham and his desperate band of Tories. Witness the brave heroine, Kate Barry, warning her husband Andrew and his Patriot troops of the attack. Although her valiant actions can’t save the three soldiers killed by Cunningham, they do save the Moore family home from being burned by its attackers. Be transported back to colonial days and relive the saga of our struggle for independence!
This special weekend kicks-off on Friday, September 30, from 6 – 9 p.m. at FestiFall Friday Night: A Colonial Celebration. This family-friendly evening features music, great food, and an opportunity to share your table with a Revolutionary War soldier who may tell you of the latest progress in America’s revolt against King George. Perhaps you’ll sit with a seamstress or carpenter who will share a few secrets of the trade. Most activities, including colonial dress up and silhouette cutting, are ongoing throughout the evening. From 6:30-7:30, “Charles Moore” will greet guests at his manor house then from 7:30-8:30, Revolutionary soldiers will welcome guests to the plantation cemetery. Yes, that’s after sunset! It’s an evening not to be missed and perfect for the whole family! For Friday evening, the cost is $25 for ages 16+, $10 for ages 5-15, and free for children 4 years and younger. Price includes the evening’s meal and a pass for each guest to FestiFall on Saturday or Sunday. Space is limited! Reserve by sending your name, contact info, number of people in your party, and a check payable to Spartanburg County Historical Association, PO Box 887, Spartanburg, SC 29304. You may also drop by the Spartanburg Regional History Museum in the Chapman Cultural Center at 200 East St. John Street in downtown Spartanburg to make your reservation. At the Regional History Museum, you can pay with check, Visa, or Mastercard.
Following Friday’s special evening, FestiFall at Walnut Grove Plantation takes place on Saturday, October 2 from 10:00 – 5:00 and on Sunday, October 3 from 10:00 – 4:00. Each day features a re-enactment of the skirmish between Cunningham’s Loyalists and Barry’s Patriots. This reenactment occurs at Noon on Saturday and at 1:30 on Sunday. Throughout the two-day living history festival, over 200 reenactors will camp at Walnut Grove and demonstrate 18th century battle tactics, weapons firing, cavalry tactics and military drills as well as dozens of colonial era crafts and trades. You can see the blacksmith working at his forge and a cooper making barrels as well as broom making, basket making, cooking, gunsmithing, woodworking and much more. Kids can dip their own candles, try their hand at weaving, and play colonial games. Free parking is available on site. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for ages 6-17, and free for ages 5 and under.
FestiFall at Walnut Grove Plantation is presented by the Spartanburg County Historical Association and is sponsored by Abbott Farms, Dave Edwards Toyota, Nancy Rainey Crowley, Waterstone Retail, Southeastern Printing, and a Spartanburg County Accommodations Tax Grant.
To get to FestiFall and Walnut Grove Plantation,
From I-26: Take Exit 28 and turn onto Highway 221N towards Spartanburg; go a few hundred feet and turn right onto Stillhouse Road (between Waffle House and Hot Spot). At the end of Stillhouse Road, turn right onto Otts Shoals Road. The plantation is about .2 mile on the right. Altogether, it is about 2 miles from the interstate exit.
From Spartanburg: Take Church Street toward Woodruff for approximately nine miles. Just before the intersection of I-26 and Highway 221, turn left onto Stillhouse Road (between Hot Spot and Waffle House). At the end of Stillhouse Road, turn right onto Otts Shoals Road. The plantation is about .2 mile on the right.
Brown & white directional signs and event banners will help direct you to the plantation. Walnut Grove is located at 1200 Otts Shoals Road, Roebuck, SC.
Walnut Grove Plantation tells the stories of the free and enslaved people who settled South Carolina and the rest of Britain’s American colonies who fought for independence, and who, in the end, built a new nation. Charles & Mary Moore established Walnut Grove on a 550-acre land grant about 1765. The Scots-Irish immigrants raised ten children in the house they built and lived in for 40 years. Mr. Moore relied on a dozen enslaved African Americans and his own large family to work his sizable farm. During the American Revolution, the Moore family, including eldest daughter Kate Moore Barry, actively supported the Patriot cause and militia even mustered at Walnut Grove. Loyalist William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham killed 3 Patriot soldiers sheltered at the plantation in 1781.
Walnut Grove is open to the public and offers hourly guided tours of the site’s 250-year-old buildings. Additionally, regular programs examine Colonial & Revolutionary Era history and often feature reenactors portraying people of the time. The site’s hours are from 11am-5pm, Tuesdays-Saturdays and 2pm-5pm on Sundays from April through October and from 11am-5pm, Saturdays only, in November & March. The site is closed for the winter in December, January, and February. Groups of 10 or more people from schools, churches, scout troops, senior citizen groups, and other community organizations can schedule special tours and activities in advance, year-round and even during our winter closure.
Walnut Grove Plantation is operated by the Spartanburg County Historical Association which 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, the Historical Association operates the Spartanburg Regional History Museum, the Seay House, and Historic Price House. SCHA 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, call 864-576-6546 or visit our website at spartanburghistory.org. You can like us on Facebook at facebook.com/spartanburghistory, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/sptbghistory, or see photos from past FestiFalls and other events on Flickr at flickr.com/spartanburghistory.
Sign up for our South Carolina Genealogy newsletter:
