243rd Anniversary Commemoration

Living historians fire muskets.

NPS Photo.

On January 13 and 14, join us in observing the 243 Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens! This event will include guest speakers, ranger-led battlefield walks, cavalry demonstrations, historic weapons demonstrations, music, children's activities, and lantern walks (lantern walks require a reservation)!


We are now taking reservations for lantern tours!

As part of the 243rd Anniversary Commemoration on Saturday, January 13, Cowpens is offering lantern tours starting at 5:45 PM. Tours will be 30 minutes each and require less than one mile of walking. Visitors will be led on a portion of the battlefield by a knowledgeable guide and be taken through the "encampment area" to speak with costumed living historians. Please note that we also offer an accessibility tour at 5:45 PM.

We strongly recommend making a reservation in advance for all tours. Please make your reservation by calling the Visitor Center at 864 461-2828. The Visitor Center is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday.

Planning a trip to Cowpens? Plan like a ranger and review these safety tips.

Schedule of events:

Saturday, January 13, 2024

10:00 am Talk by Mike Cecere author of They Are Indeed a Very Useful Corps, program
tent.

10:15 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

10:45 am Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

11:00 am 18th Century Musical performance by Ken Bloom, program tent.

11:15 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

11:30 am Cavalry talk. Meet at 3rd Continental Light Dragoon camp.

11.45 am Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

12:00 pm Talk by Andrew Waters, author of To the End of the World, program tent.

1:00 pm Talk by Lawrence Babits, author of A Devil of a Whipping, program tent.

1:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

1:30 pm Cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.

1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

2:00 pm 18th Century Musical performance by Ken Bloom, program tent.

2:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

3:00 pm "Blacks in the American Revolutionary War," talk by John Abercrombie, program tent.

3:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

3:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

4:00 pm Talk by Mark Anthony, "Flags of the American Revolution," program tent.

4:30 pm Cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on Battlefield Trail.

5:00 pm Special program in Visitor Center.

5:45 pm Lantern walks on the battlefield. Reservations required. (Dress warmly and bring
a flashlight.)

Walks leave at 5:45, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00. Meet behind the Visitor Center at your ticketed time.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

10:00 am Talk by Robert Brown, author of Kings Mountain and Cowpens: Our Victory was Complete, program tent.

10:15 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

11:00 am Divine Service with Robert Ryals, program tent.

11:30 am Cavalry talk. Meet at 3rd Continental Light Dragoon camp.

11:45 am Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

12:00 pm 18th Century Musical Performance by Ivan & Cohen Daniels, program tent.

12:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

1:00 pm 18th Century Musical Performance by Bafford and Bell, program tent.

1:30 pm Cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on Battlefield Trail.

1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of Visitor Center.

2:00 pm “The Other Tea Parties: Boston wasn’t the only one”, talk by Bert Dunkerly, author
of Eutaw Springs the Final Battle of the American Revolution’ Southern Campaign, program tent.

2:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.

3:00 pm 18th Century Musical Performance by Bafford and Bell, program tent.

3:15 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.

5:00 pm Visitor Center and park close.

Both Days

Park movie on the hour in the Visitor Center.
All activities are FREE!
Featured authors will be available to sign books in the Visitor Center for an hour following their respective talks.
For your safety and that of the horses, park regulations prohibit visitors from getting within 6 feet of the horses.

Children’s Activities
12:00 - 3:00 Saturday
12:00 - 3:00 Sunday

Hands-on activities for families in the Children’s Tent, behind the Visitor Center. Schedule will be posted on the chalkboard outside the Children’s Tent.


Musket drilling with dummy guns.
Saturday & Sunday
1:15
2:15