Sumter, S.C. – The Sumter Museum invites the public to the grand opening of the Thomas Sumter Interpretative Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. The center, dedicated to the life and legacy of Thomas Sumter, resides in the museum’s Williams Brice House.
The event will kick off at 2 p.m. with a special program in McKenzie Hall featuring representatives from South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250). Light refreshments will be available during the program. Immediately following, guests will gather outside for a celebratory cannon firing on the museum grounds.
In addition to viewing the Interpretative Center at the Williams Brice House, attendees will have the opportunity to experience living history throughout the afternoon at the Carolina Backcountry Homestead. The 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Continental Line and South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust Artillery Demonstration Team will engage guests with demonstrations and interactive displays including an extensive collection of period muskets, equipment and clothing. The Historyman, Eric Barnes, will also be on-site at McKenzie Hall with his six-volume comic series, The Rise of Thomas Sumter.
All experiences will remain open until 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The Thomas Sumter Interpretative Center showcases Sumter’s contributions, highlighting both his military service during the American Revolution and his postwar political career. Visitors will enjoy interactive audio stations and historical artifacts and receive a special rack card featuring other key Sumter-related historical sites across South Carolina. In 2026, the exhibit will transition to its permanent home in the future Sumter Military Museum.
This project is made possible with grant support from SC250, and Sumter’s will be the first interpretative center to open in the state as part of SC250’s ongoing commemoration of the state’s role in America’s independence. Additional centers, including one highlighting Francis Marion, will open across South Carolina in the months to come.
For more information about the Thomas Sumter Interpretative Center, visit www.SumterMuseum.org or call 803-775-0908.
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