COLUMBIA, S.C. — The American Battlefield Trust is once again calling for volunteers to help with the spring cleaning and sprucing up of some of the battlefields and historical sites in South Carolina on Park Day. These hands-on events allow participants an unique view of local history while helping to make sure these places are accessible for future generations.
Park Day is traditionally held on Saturday, April 6, but some of the cleanups will take place later in the month.
Check the listings below and send an email to the site's contact person in order to sign up. Some of the sites offer free tours before or after the work is completed, free lunches, and/or free t-shirts. Volunteers should wear protective clothing, including hats, gloves and sturdy shoes -- clothes that you won't mind getting dirty.
April 6 cleanups
Camden Battlefield, 2 p.m., 1606 Flat Rock Rd., Camden. Revolutionary War site. Contact: Stacy Ferguson at stacy@historiccamden.org. Trash pickup and clearing trails. Free tour and Historic Camden t-shirt, water provided. Bring rakes, loppers, work gloves, sturdy shoes
Hanging Rock Battlefield, 9 a.m., 1801-2499 Hanging Rock Rd., Kershaw. Revolutionary War site. Contact: Gina Bobo at ginabcar@outlook.com or register here. Trash collection and maintenance. Bring garden tools
Hobkirk Hill, 9 a.m., 700 Greene St., Camden. Revolutionary War site. Contact: Stacey Ferguson at stacy@historiccamden.org. This is a newly acquired battlefield land and former site of the Kirkwood Hotel. Trash collection, clearing brush and vegetation from hotel ruins. Bring loppers, garden tools. Free Historic Camden t-shirt
Honey Hill Battlefield, 9 a.m., Route 336, Ridgeland. Heritage site. Contact: Cathleen DeCourcy at fohhcontact@gmail.com. Clearing small to medium brush, trail work, possible carpentry, earthwork restoration and tree removal. Bring gloves, eye and ear protection, boots, shovels, rakes, chainsaws, pruners and weed whackers. Lunch, drinks and historic presentation provided.
April 13
Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, 9:30 a.m. 325 State Park Rd., Ehrhardt. Civil War site. Contact: Russell Stock at rstock@scprt.com. Stain fence at park entrance. Free tour, lunch (hot dogs, chips, bottled water). Bring your own water, closed-toe shoes.
April 18
Buford Massacre Battlefield, 9 a.m. 262 Rocky River Rd., Lancaster. Revolutionary War site. Contact: Ken Obriot at kcobriot@gmail.com. Clear limbs, trim brush, rake leaves, wash monuments, spray weeds. Snacks and water provided. Bring rakes, hedge clippers, weed cutters, leaf blowers.
