Special Events

Upcoming Events at Cowpens National Battlefield

October 6

The Night before Kings Mountain - Outdoor drama telling the story of the overmountain men's march to participate in the Battle of Kings Mountain. **Due to our current limited services, this annual event will not be hosted by the National Park Service, but instead by our partners at the City of Gaffney! For more information about this great partner event, please call [phone], email [e-mail], or check it out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GaffneySCEvents/**

Save the Date! January 16-17, 2021
240th Anniversary Celebration: Includes encampment, historic weapons firing demonstrations, and author lectures. The wreath ceremony will be on Sunday, January 17.

 

Previous 2020 Events

January 11
Race for the Grasshopper

8:30 - 1 mile fun run
9:00 - 5k
For more information, contact Spartanburg Running Club

January 18 - 19, 2020 Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, January 18
10:00 am Wreath-laying by SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters at the 1932 US Monument in front of the Visitor Center, followed by procession to the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument.
10:15 am Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:30 am Courageous Kate,talk by Sheila Ingle, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
12:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
12:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
1:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
1:30 pm British Soldiers, American War, talk by Don Hagist, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
2:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
3:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
3:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
3:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
4:30 pm Interactive cannon drill for children of all ages, Visitor Center Museum.
5:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
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, and 6:45. Meet behind the Visitor Center at your ticketed time.
7:00 pm Visitor Center closes.

Sunday, January 19
10:30 am Divine Service (18th century church service), Bruce Jennings and Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:15 am Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:45 am Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
12:30 pm 18th century Music - mini concert by Sons of Liberty, Program Tent.
12:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
1:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
1:15 pm Cavalry demonstration. 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
1:30 pm They Were Good Soldiers: African-Americans Serving in the the Continental Army, 1775 - 1783, talk by John Rees, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
1:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
2:45 pm Weapons firing demonstration. Firing Range, to the right of the Visitor Center.
3:00 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
12:30 - 3:30 both days - Hands-on activities for families in the Children’s Tent, behind the Visitor Center. Changes to the following schedule will be posted on the chalkboard outside the Children’s Tent.

Saturday Sunday
12:30 Sachets 12:30 Flag Design
1:30 Powder Horns 1:30 Arrowhead Necklaces
2:30 Tricorn Hats 2:30 Toss Toys

Musket drilling with dummy guns.
Saturday Sunday
1:15 1:15
2:15 2:15
3:15

May 9
Living History Day - SC Rangers (American Militia) weapons firing demonstrations 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 park closure.

June 6
Living History Day - 1st Maryland - Southern Campaign (American Continentals) Historic weapons firings 10:20, 11:45, 1:20, and 2:20.

July 4
Virtual Celebration of Freedom - There will be no on site programming.

Cowpens National Battlefield’s annual Celebration of Freedom event will be a little different as it will not be held onsite this year. This event will be completely virtual, with all programs being posted on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CowpensNationalBattlefield/) throughout the day on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

The schedule for the day is:

9:30 am – Guided Battlefield Walk by Cowpens National Battlefield Rangers

10:30 am – Re-release of the 18th Artillery Drill video by the 2015 Youth Conservation Corps

11;30 am – Reading of the Declaration of Independence by volunteers and staff.

12:30 pm – 18^th Century Small Arms Talk and Musket Firing Demonstration by park staff

1:30 pm –Dummy Gun Drill by park staff (Use a broom or stick if you do not have a dummy gun at home.)

2:30 pm –Musket Firing Demonstration by South Carolina Independent Rangers

3:30 Regimental Flag Design, by park staff

Even if you are not able to join us when the videos initially air, all of the videos will still appear on the park’s Facebook page. We will also post video content to the park website (www.nps.gov/cowp/) after the event for viewing later.

For more information, email the park at e-mail us.

We hope you’ll join us “virtually” on July 4 for a Celebration of Freedom!

 

Previous 2019 Events

June 1
Living History Day - 1st Maryland - Southern Campaign (American Continentals) Historic weapons firings 10:20, 11:45, and 1:20.

June 15
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

July 6
Celebration of Freedom -
9:45 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

10:15 Reading of the Declaration of Independence - 20 minutes. Tell a ranger at the desk if you would like to read a short section.

10:45 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - 1 hour

11:15 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

11:45 American Leadership at the Battle of Cowpens, Panel Discussion with authors Jim Stempel and Al Zambone - 45 minutes - followed by book signings in the Visitor Center - 1 hour

12:45 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

1:30 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - 1 hour

2:15 Weapons firing demonstration - 20 minutes

11:00 - 2:00 Children's Activities - various games and crafts

Planned activities may change without notice.

August 24
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

September 7
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.
September 14-15
Living History Weekend - Mecklenburg Militia, weapons firing demonstrations Saturday only10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20.

October 6
Outdoor Drama - The Night before Kings Mountain, 6:00 pm.
This is a living history/outdoor drama depicting the activities of the overmountain men in the 2 weeks leading up to the Battle of Kings Mountain.

November 9
Living History Day - SC Rangers - American militia. Weapons firing demonstration at 10:20, 11: 20, 1:20, and 2:20.

November 12
Drama - Actor Howard Burnham portrays Lord Cornwallis in two 15-minute programs, 2:00 and 3:00, Visitor Center museum.

 

Previous 2018 Events

January 6, 2018 Race for the Grasshopper, 1 mile fun run 8:30, 5K 9:00.

January 13-14, 2018 Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, January 13, 2018

10:00 am Wreath-laying by SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters at the 1932 US Monument in front of the Visitor Center, followed by procession to the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument.
10:15 am Interactive cannon drill for children 5 - 95 yrs
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:15 am 18th century cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:30 am Eric Williams: “18th Century Medicine,” Program Tent
11:45 am 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
12:00 pm Robert Jones, US Army Command and General Staff School: Staff Ride for Civilians (Special walk showing how the military studies the battle) Meet behind the Visitor Center.
12:30 pm Ken Johnston portrays “Daniel Morgan” Program Tent.
12:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
1:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
1:15 pm 18th century cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
1:30 pm Sons of Liberty, 18th century music concert. Program Tent.
1:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
2:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
2:30 pm Order in the Ranks: courts martial program. Program Tent
2:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
3:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
3:15 pm 18th century cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
3:30 pm Joe Epley, A Passel of Trouble, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center
3:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
4:30 pm Mike Cecere: A Good and Valuable Officer, Program Tent. Followed by book signing in the Visitor Center.
5:30 pm Sons of Liberty, 18th century music concert. Museum.
5:45 - 7:15 pm Lantern walks on the battlefield. Reservations required. (Call 864-461-2828 after January 2.) (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, 2018
10:30 am Divine Service (18th century church service), Program Tent.
11:00 am Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
11:15 am 18th century cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
11:45 am 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
12:30 pm Ranger talk: “Remembering the Cowpens” Program Tent.
12:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
1:00 pm Arrival of Morgan’s March participants, led by fife and drum corps. Program Tent.
1:30 pm “Freedom Fighter: The Story of Scipio,” a dramatic first- person performance that explores the life of a black pioneer and guide during the American Revolution. Program Tent.
1:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
2:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
2:15 pm 18th century cavalry demonstration, 1st stop on the Battlefield Trail.
2:30 pm Dr. Lawrence Babits: “Continental Logistics in the Southern Campaign” Program Tent. Followed by signing of A Devil of a Whipping in the Visitor Center.
2:45 pm 18th century weapons firing demonstration, Firing Range.
3:00 pm Guided battlefield walk. Meet behind the Visitor Center.
3:30 pm Sons of Liberty, 18th music century concert. Program Tent.
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 Hands-on activities for families in the Children’s Tent, behind the Visitor Center. Changes to the following schedule will be posted on the chalkboard outside the Children’s Tent.
Saturday: 11:00 - 4:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 3:00

Saturday
11:00 Quill pen writing
12:00 Sachets
1:00 Wax seals
2:00 Toss toys
3:00 Flag design
Sunday
12:00 Quill pen writing
1:00 Wax seals
2:00 Cartridge rolling
Musket drilling with dummy guns.
Saturday
11:15
12:15
1:15
2:15
3:15

Sunday
12:15
1:15
2:15

February 9 Book signing: Bert Dunkerly; Eutaw Springs: The Final Battle of the American Revolution's Southern Campaign, 6:00 pm

March 24 - 25, 2018 A Woman's War
The roles, hardships, and sacrifices faced by colonial women who stayed at home while their men left to serve, and of those who followed their men to battle.

Saturday, March 24
10:30 Rosie the Revolutionary - the role women played in home defense
11:00 Maggie Worsdale portraying Martha Washington
12:30 Dr. Melissa Walker: Revolutionaries, Too: Women and the Southern Campaign
1:30 Rosie the Revolutionary - the role women played in home defense
2:00 Maggie Worsdale portraying Martha Washington
3:30 Guided battlefield walk

Sunday, March 25
11:30 Guided battlefield walk
1:30 Carin Bloom portraying Catherine "Caty" Greene
2:30 Rosie the Revolutionary - the role women played in home defense
3:30 Guided battlefield walk

Ongoing throughout the weekend
Cooking for Continentals
Colonial beverages and drinking customs
Army rations and field cooking
Mary Patton and gunpowder manufacture
Vinegar distillation and food preservation
Dutch immigrant farmers turned petit sutlers following the army
Laundresses

Children's activities
Saturday
10:00 - 3:00
Sunday
12:00 - 3:00

April 21 Junior Ranger Day From 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, children can do a variety of Junior Ranger programs and earn a badge.

April 29 Park Rx Day - Spring plant walk, 1:00 pm.

May 19 Guided Bird Walk. Meet JB Hines of the Piedmont Audubon Society behind the visitor center at 9:00 for a guided bird walk as part of the Cherokee County migratory bird count. Binoculars are recommended, but optional.

June 2 Living History Day 1st Maryland, Southern Campaign (American Continental) will give weapons firing demonstrations at 11:15, 1:45, 3:15.

June 16 Living History Day SC Rangers (American Militia) will give weapons firing demonstrations at 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20.

July 7 Celebration of Freedom
9:45 Weapons firing demonstration - behind and to the right of the Visitor Center - 20 minutes

10:15 Reading of the Declaration of Independence under the trees behind the Visitor Center - 20 minutes. Tell a ranger at the desk if you would like to read a short section.

10:45 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - Meet at the left of the Visitor Center - 1 hour

11:15 Weapons firing demonstration - behind and to the right of the Visitor Center - 20 minutes

11:45 Artillery Talk - Meet under the trees behind the Visitor Center - 30 minutes

12:45 Weapons firing demonstration - behind and to the right of the Visitor Center - 20 minutes

1:30 Ranger-guided Battlefield Walk - Meet at the left of the Visitor Center - 1 hour

2:15 Weapons firing demonstration - behind and to the right of the Visitor Center - 20 minutes

August 25 Living History Day SC Rangers (American Militia) will give weapons firing demonstrations at 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20.

September 22 Living History Day SC Rangers (American Militia) living history encampment. Musket and rifle firing demonstrations at 10:20, 11:20, 1:20, and 2:20.

October 6 The Night before Kings Mountain
11:30 - Guided battlefield walk
2:30 - Guided battelfield walk
3:00 - 4:30 - Living Wax Museum presented by Grassy Pond Elementary
4:30 - 5:30 - SCETV Sizzle Reel Preview
5:30 - Sons of Liberty musical performance
6:00 - The Night before Kings Mountain performance by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association

October 13 - 14, A Blast from the Past - Artillery Weekend
Saturday, October 13
10:30 am Cannon Talk
11:30 am Cannon Firing Demonstration
1:30 pm Cannon Firing Demonstration
2:30 pm Cannon talk
3:30 pm Cannon Firing Demonstration

Sunday, October 14
10:30 am Cannon Talk
12:30 pm Cannon firing demo
1:30 pm Cannon talk
2:30 pm Cannon firing demo
3:30 pm Guided Battlefield Walk

October 20 - 21, Military through the Ages Timeline event with reenactors portraying Revolutionary War - World War I soldiers.

 

 

Previous 2017 Events

January 13, 2017 236th Anniversary Celebration offsite

2:30 pm Daniel Morgan Statue, Spartanburg, SC - Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Children of the American Revolution flower presentation ceremony

7:00 pm Spartanburg County Library Headquarders, Spartanburg, SC - Greenville Chautauqua, the Spartanburg County Library System, and the Sons of the American Revolution to present Ken Johnson portraying Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, British commander at the Battle of Cowpens.

January 14 - 15, 2017 236th Anniversary Celebration onsite

Each year we celebrate the patriot victory at the Battle of Cowpens on the weekend closest to the anniversary. Click here for a printable schedule on the 2017 event.

January 21 Race for the Grasshopper
For over thirty years, Cowpens National Battlefield has worked with the Spartanburg Running Club to honor the race to capture the two British “grasshopper” cannons at the end of the Battle of Cowpens into an annual competitive 5k run/walk and a 1-mile fun run. This year the fun run will begin at 8:30 am, and the 5k at 9:00. For more information, contact Spartanburg Running Club at http://www.spartanburgrunningclub.com/.

April 15: SC Rangers Living History Day 18th Century weapons firing demonstrations at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15 .

April 15: Junior Ranger Day 10:00 - 2:00, special activities for children

April 29: Park Rx Day 10:30, Hike the Nature Trail with a ranger.

April 29-30: Living History Weekend 71st Highlanders (British) encampment. Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15 on Saturday.

May 5: Picnic with a Purpose 12:30 pm in visitor center museum. Ron Swain from the Spartanburg County Historical Association and Brad Steinecke, archivist at the Spartanburg Public Library on Friday, May 5 at noon.will present a program about the Centennial Celebration of the Battle of Cowpens. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under the trees behind the visitor center following the program.

June 3-4: Living History Weekend 1st Maryland, Southern Campaign encampment (American Continentals) Weapons firing demonstrations at 11:15, 1:45, and 3:15. CANCELLED

June 24: SC Rangers Living History Day 18th Century weapons firing demonstrations at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15 .

July 1: Celebration of Freedom
Guided battlefield walks, 18th century weapons firing demonstrations, children's activities, and more. Click for Printable schedule.

August 26: SC Rangers Living History Day 18th Century weapons firing demonstrations at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15.

September 23: SC Rangers Living History Day 18th Century weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30 1:30, and 2:30.

October 6: The Night before Kings Mountain Outdoor drama presented by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association depicting the march leading up to the Battle of Kings Mountain. 6pm - 7pm. Event is free to the public.

October 6-8: Upstate Revolutionary War Weekend A series of Revolutionary War activities at Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Gaffney, SC. Detailed schedule should be available by the end of September."
Schedule for only the Cowpens National Battlefield portion of the event
October 6 - 6:00 pm The Night before Kings Mountain

Saturday, October 7
10:30 am Musket Firing Demonstration
11:30 am Guided Battlefield Tour
12:30 pm program entitled “’Proof of the spirit and resources of the country’: The Continental Army Responds to the Battle of Kings Mountain,” by Melissa Walker, Emerita George Dean Johnson, Jr. Professor of History at Converse College.
1:30 pm Musket Firing Demonstration
1:45 pm The Role of the Continental Artillery
2:30pm Interactive Court Martial scenarios taken from Col. Otho Williams’ records.
3:30 pm Guided Battlefield Tour

Sunday, October 8
11:30am Musket Firing Demonstration
12:30pm Guided Battlefield Tour
1:00pm Continental drill and march
2:30pm The Role of the Continental Artillery
3:15pm Musket Firing Demonstration
3:30pm Guided Battlefield Tour

Previous 2016 Events

April 9: Park Day

April 16 - 24: National Park Week

April 16: Find Your Park After Dark - Star Gazing Program 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

April 23: Junior Ranger Day

June 4: Living History Day- 1st Maryland, Southern Campaign encampment (American Continentals) Weapons firing demonstrations at 11:15, 1:45, and 3:15.

June 11: Living History Day- New Acquisition Militia - featuring activities such as sewing, chair caning, rifle making, and weapons firing demos. At 2:30 there will be a talk on "The Year of 1780 - Turning from Uncertainty to Victory".

June 18: Living History Day- SC Rangers (American Militia). Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.

August 6: Living History Day- SC Rangers (American Militia). Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.

August 13: Find Your Park After Dark - Star Gazing Program

August 25: Founders Day -Join us as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service's founding. You only turn 100 once, so we're going big for the Centennial Celebration: birthday cake, party hats, and pin the tail on the cow! 11:00 - 2:00.

September 10: Living History Day- SC Rangers (American Militia). Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.

September 24: Living History Day- 1st Maryland, Southern Campaign encampment (American Continentals) Weapons firing demonstrations at 11:15, 1:45, and 3:15.

October 1 - 2:North Carolina Highland Regiment (71st Highlanders) encampment. Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30 on Saturday, and 12:30 and 1:30 on Sunday.

October 1-9: Revolutionary War Weekend:A series of Revolutionary War activities at Walnut Grove Plantation, Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Gaffney, SC. Please note:The activities listed on the link above are for each of the sites. Call the specific site for information about activities happening there.
Cowpens National Battlefield Schedule for October 1
10:30 Small arms firing demonstration
11:00 Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Walk
11:30 Small arms firing demonstration
12:30 Special talk by 71st Highlanders about their unit
12:45 Battlefield walk
1:30 Small arms firing demonstration
2:30 Small arms firing demonstration
2:45 Battlefield walk

Cowpens National Battlefield Schedule for October 2
12:30 Small Arms firing demonstration
1:30 Small Arms firing demonstration

October 6: Outdoor Drama-The Night before Kings MountainOutdoor drama presented by the Overmountain Victory Trail Association depicting the march leading up to the Battle of Kings Mountain.6pm - 7pm. Event is free to the public.

October 22: Living History Day: SC Rangers (American Militia) Weapons firing demonstrations at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30.

October 28: SC Rangers Living History Day 18th Century weapons firing demonstrations at 10:15, 11:15, 1:15, and 2:15 .

October 28: Find Your Park after Dark Astronomy program by Carolina Skygazers, 8:00 pm. Cancelled due to the rain forecast!

November 11 - 12: Military through the Ages, a timeline event to pay homage to the veterans of our past and to view static displays of weapons and equipment used by our military in defense of our great nation.

November 11
10:30 am - 18th century musket firing demonstration
11:30 am - Guided battlefield walk
12:30 pm - Charles Barber, CIV US Army 41th Chemical Bde will present a program about how the Battle of Cowpens is important to the US Army of today.

November 12
10:30 am - 18th century musket firing demonstration
12:30 pm - Guided battlefield walk

Throughout the weekend - The Military History Center of the Carolinas will exhibit military vehicles and weapons from different military eras.