Constitution Week 2010

Volunteers and staff members dress in Revolutionary War period clothing.

NPS Photo by Carlin Timmons

News Release Date: August 24, 2010

Contact: Carlin Timmons, [phone]

Join the National Park Service in celebration of Constitution Week by attending one of the free special events scheduled September 17-25, 2010 at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site at 1254 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant. The park preserves the last 28 acres of Snee Farm, a plantation that was once owned by Charles Pinckney, a principal framer and signer of the U.S. Constitution.

On Constitution/Citizenship Day, Friday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. the park’s annual naturalization ceremony will be held when up to 150 candidates will be sworn in as America’s newest citizens. The public and school groups are invited to the free program, and are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets as seating will be limited.

Also on September 17 at 8:00 p.m. the public is invited to the premiere of a new documentary on Founding Father Charles Pinckney. Produced by SCETV, Forgotten Founder: the Story of Charles Pinckney uses original art work, period illustrations, historical documents, dramatic reenactments and studio interviews to tell the story of a true public servant. The program was funded in part by the Friends of Historic Snee Farm and the Humanities Council SC. Dr. Walter Edgar will introduce the documentary and Producer Sanford “Dave” Adams will answer questions at the conclusion. The free screening will be held outdoors under a large tent. For more information on Forgotten Founder, please visit following website: http://bit.ly/Pinckney

On Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m. join park staff for the unveiling of an original oil painting interpreting President George Washington’s 1791 visit to Snee Farm. Artist Martin Pate has created paintings for the National Park Service for over fifteen years. Following the unveiling, Pate and National Park Service Archeologist John Jameson will present a program on Archeology and the Arts. The painting was funded by the Southeastern Archeological Center and will be a dramatic addition to the permanent exhibits at Pinckney.

Two days of living history are scheduled on Friday & Saturday, September 24 and 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Watch craftsmen in period dress demonstrate rice-pounding, indigo-dyeing, iron-smithing, brick masonry and domestic arts. Also included are Revolutionary War soldiers, 18th century music, sweetgrass basket sewing, quilting, African drumming and Gullah story-telling. Visitors can participate in a game of historic cricket.

Throughout the week visitors may take part in the “I Signed the Constitution” program, signing a scroll that will be sent to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the city where Charles Pinckney and 38 other delegates signed the world-changing document on September 17, 1787.

All events are free. For more information or group reservations, please call the park at [phone].