SC250 Commission and Partners to Host Hobkirk Hill Ribbon Cutting and Historic Unveiling in Camden

Camden, S.C. — The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250), in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, Historic Camden Foundation, the South Carolina American Revolution Trust, and the City of Camden, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Battle of Hobkirk Hill site on May 18, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and interpretation of one of South Carolina’s most important Revolutionary War battlefields.

Fought on April 25, 1781, the Battle of Hobkirk Hill was a pivotal moment in the Southern Campaign. While British forces claimed victory on the field, their subsequent evacuation of Camden just weeks later marked a turning point in the fight for American independence.

The opening of the new Hobkirk Hill Battlefield Park represents the culmination of more than five years of collaborative preservation and interpretation work led by SC250, the American Battlefield Trust, and the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. With support from partners including the American Battlefield Protection Program, South Carolina Conservation Bank, Historic Camden Foundation, Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the City of Camden, Kershaw County, Katawba Valley Land Trust, and Lorna Hainesworth, more than 20 acres of the battlefield have been permanently protected.
The new park features accessible parking, walking trails, and a unique interpretive exhibit with a 3D topographic map, developed with support from SC250, creating an engaging experience for visitors to better understand the battle and its significance.

“At the American Battlefield Trust, I like to say that we build parks and tell stories,” said David Duncan of the American Battlefield Trust. “Protecting battlefield land is an important first step, but the integration of that property into a meaningful destination that stewards the resource and educates the public is a far greater culmination of that work.”

“Hobkirk Hill is a rare instance of a battlefield that is now encompassed inside the city,” said Rick Wise of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “That fact has presented unique challenges, but it also allows visitors to better understand this action. The opening of this park reflects the vision of Charles Baxley, Doug Bostick, and many other scholars and supporters who have made telling the story of Hobkirk Hill possible.”

Today, the site sits within a residential area, making its preservation and interpretation both uniquely challenging and especially meaningful. The creation of a public park ensures that this historic landscape will be accessible for education, reflection, and heritage tourism for generations to come. 

The May 18 events will begin at the Revolutionary War Visitor Center in Camden. Guests will be invited to board buses between 10 AM and 10:30 AM to attend the ribbon cutting at the Hobkirk Hill interpretation site. Due to limited parking, transportation will be provided. 

Following the ribbon cutting, invited guests are encouraged to return to the Revolutionary War Visitor Center for a reception hosted by the South Carolina American Revolution Trust, where Pamela Patrick White’s 2008 painting, The Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, will be formally unveiled. The artwork will be on public display, offering visitors a powerful visual interpretation of the battle. 

The Hobkirk Hill site holds deep historical significance in the story of America’s fight for independence. These events reflect a collaborative effort among state and national partners to preserve this legacy while expanding opportunities for education, heritage tourism, and public engagement.

“This project represents an important investment in preserving South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history and ensuring that future generations can experience and learn from this significant site,” said Molly Fortune, CEO of SC250. 

The event is part of the SC250 initiative, a statewide effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and highlight South Carolina’s critical role in securing independence. For more information about SC250, visit www.southcarolina250.com.

About SC250 The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) was established to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and to promote awareness of South Carolina’s pivotal role in the founding of the United States. Through statewide programming, partnerships, and preservation efforts, SC250 aims to engage residents and visitors in this historic milestone.