Thursday, Apr. 10, 2008

Battles of the Revolutionary War

History buffs could spend a lifetime visiting the more than 200 Revolutionary War battle or skirmish sites in South Carolina.

If you have only a weekend, however, limit yourself to one of the parks designed to tell the story of our battle for freedom.

Four such Upstate parks form a driving loop from Columbia — Musgrove Mill State Historic Site off I-26 in Laurens County, Cowpens National Battlefield off I-85 in Cherokee County, Kings Mountain National Military Park off I-85 in York County and Historic Brattonsville in southern York County.

Covering all four in a day might be a bit much, but you can stretch it over two days and camp at Kings Mountain State Park.

Here are the details:

• Musgrove Mill State Historic Site: Small but innovative visitors’ center, short trail, frequent re-enactment programs. www.southcarolinaparks.com

• Cowpens National Battlefield: Museum, picnic shelter, paved walking trail, auto loop road. www.nps.gov/cowp

• Kings Mountain National Military Park: Museum, paved trail through battle site, several miles of hiking and equestrian trails connecting to state park. www.nps.gov/kimo

• Historic Brattonsville: Museumlike displays in several of the more than 30 period structures, miles of hiking trails, frequent historical programs. www.chmuseums.org