‘American Revolution Experience’ Connects Lander, Community with Nation’s Founding

Lander University will host the American Revolution Experience, an innovative, traveling exhibition, Oct. 16 – 29 at the Jackson Library.

The exhibit includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.

Created through a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the exhibit is also made possible by matching funds from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program battlefield interpretation grants.

Dr. Ryan Floyd, chair of Lander University’s Department of History, said, “The American Revolution can sometimes seem distant to us -- something confined to textbooks, famous battles and familiar names. This exhibition helps bring that history to life by introducing us to the real people whose choices, sacrifices and experiences shaped the founding of our nation.”

Hosting the American Revolution Experience at Lander reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to bringing meaningful and relevant educational opportunities to the campus and community, he said.

“We want our students, as well as people of all ages throughout the region, to see Lander as a place where they can come together to learn, explore important ideas and better understand the history that continues to shape our lives today,” Floyd said.

Traveling Exhibit Highlights

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is a collaboration between Lander and the Issaqueena Chapter, NSDAR, in Greenwood. Hours for the exhibit at the library are 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

As part of the programming, battlefield preservationist and historian Durant Ashmore will give a talk at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Carnell Learning Center, LC300 auditorium, that will include a discussion on the importance of battlefield preservation.

The traveling exhibit includes 12 panels highlighting thematic connections between profiled individuals and three interactive kiosks that connect to the full digital biographies, provide documentary context on the Revolutionary War and offer information on how to visit the places tied to these individuals today.

Both online and on-site, the American Revolution Experience features custom illustrations by South Carolina-based artist Dale Watson, of Mount Pleasant. The exhibit also draws from documents and objects in DAR’s collection, as well as the Battlefield Trust’s digital interpretation resources.

Bridging 250 Years of History

“Independence may have been declared in Philadelphia by the Declaration’s 56 signers, but it was hard-won on the battlefields we protect by the thousands of Patriot soldiers from whom today’s Daughters of the American Revolution trace descent,” said David Duncan, American Battlefield Trust president. “Together, our organizations bear witness to the fact that we are not so far removed from those impactful events, that there are meaningful ways to bridge those 250 years.”

DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage said the exhibit has been enthusiastically received in communities across the country. "The overwhelming response to the American Revolution Experience perfectly illustrates the passion of DAR members and chapters, as they look to introduce their communities to the remarkable men and women who rose to the challenges demanded of them along our path to liberty."

The exhibit represents diverse viewpoints and experiences, touching on the journeys — both literal and figurative — of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, Black and Native American populations and even international allies.

Rather than focusing only on generals and famous statesmen, it introduces audiences to drummer boys, military mapmakers and other ordinary people who were impacted by global events.

“The American Revolution Experience gives us a wonderful opportunity to introduce people of all ages to the men and women whose courage, sacrifice and determination helped create our nation,” Floyd said. “We are pleased to work with the DAR to bring this engaging exhibition to Lander University and the Greenwood community as our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary.”