With $5 million available in funding for projects and grants this fiscal year, the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) is poised to make a lasting impact on education and cultural tourism, especially in South Carolina‘s rural counties. The bulk of the funding will make significant American Revolution sites across the state more visitable with safe pull-off areas and interpretive signs.
To assist in developing and sharing these assets, SC250 has created nine grant programs: County 250 Organizing Grants, Museum Style Panel Grants, Local Activity Grants, County Asset Assessment & Tourism Plan Grants, Research Grants, Publication Grants, Education Grants, Signage & Marker Grants and Site Grants.
“Two major battles were fought in Camden and two in Charleston, other than those, almost every other engagement occurred in the Back Country, rural towns and spaces. Freedom was won in these areas, and we need to speak of these people and places, educating ourselves and driving tourists to our sites and showing them our rich, diverse history. In doing so, we encourage them to stay and explore more of South Carolina,” says Molly Fortune, Executive Director of SC250.
The current fiscal year, which runs July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, has two grant cycles. The first deadline is September 26, 2023 at 3 p.m. Funds permitting, Cycle 2’s deadline will follow on March 26, 2024 at 3 p.m.
South Carolinians interested in learning more details about SC250’s 24FY (2023-2024) grant programs are invited to a webinar on August 24 at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is required. Register on the SC250 Webinar page under the SC250 Grants tab on SouthCarolina250.com.
Grant Awards from 2022-2023
With over 75 grants awarded this past fiscal year, SC250’s grant programs aim to benefit all 46 counties across the state. Recent examples include an award to Sumter County Museum for an Interpretive Center-style display about Thomas Sumter; support for research on the impact of the American Revolution on Slave Manumissions; support for Lake Hartwell Country tourism to create a searchable website and database of Patriots and sites in the Old Pendleton District; funding for outdoor interpretive panels and programming at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center about the indigenous Catawba Nation’s role in supporting the Patriot cause; support for the acquisition of battlefield property in Orangeburg County to expand the interpretation of the Battle of Eutaw Springs (one of the bloodiest battles of the entire American Revolution); support for the American Revolution section of the new Andersonians at War exhibit at the Anderson County Museum; support for a 250th anniversary event celebrating the Charleston Tea Party (held the week before the Boston Tea Party) this December 2; and partial underwriting for the Liberty Live non-profits’ STEAM-driven American Revolution classroom visits including a new DNA high school program inspired by the recent research and reinterment of soldiers at the Camden Battlefield. A full list of grant awards from 23FY (2022-2023) is available on the Awards & Review page under the SC250 Grants tab at SouthCarolina250.com.
More Information
The SC250 Grants tab on SouthCarolina250.com includes details, updates, and instructions on applying in the Discover SC WebGrants program. Explore the SC American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission’s site to find educational resources, information about events, how to get involved with your local County 250 committee, and more.
About SC250
The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) was chartered by the state General Assembly in 2019 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary Era and highlight the state’s significant role in securing America’s freedom. SC250’s mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution by educating, engaging, and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors.
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Cutline: During the 23 Fiscal Year (2023-2024), SC250 issued grants for County 250 committees’ strategic planning, archeology to confirm locations of battle and skirmish sites, new exhibits, living history events, and so much more. Pictured below are members of the SC Battleground Preservation Trust’s cannon crew who thrilled kids of all ages at the SC Relic Room’s American Revolution Day in the State Museum building with musket drills and demos of the steps to manning a cannon during the American Revolution.
