In January 2026, the College of Arts and Humanities and the Department of Historic Properties received a $35,000 grant to support a slate of public programs commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Although founded over a century after the war, Clemson University and the Upstate have historic connections to the Revolutionary War and its spread to South Carolina, which became a key battleground and was home to local leaders and militias who played an important role in the fight for independence.
Building on those connections, Clemson is partnering with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and secondary history education students to help plan and implement a slate of programs, including a summer lecture series, day trips to Revolutionary War sites, a teen poetry fellowship and a book club.
Among the events is a special exhibit held at the Upcountry History Museum, “Upcountry Road to Freedom: Upstate South Carolina During the American Revolution,” featuring around 25 artifacts loaned by Clemson Historic Properties.
Here’s a peek at some of the University artifacts on display at the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, South Carolina, through September 5, 2027.
Andrew Pickens’ saber
This 18th-century sword with a metal saber belonged to Gen. Andrew Pickens, who established his home only miles from the land that would become the University’s main campus after being awarded a land grant for his role in the American Revolution. In his early 20s, Pickens was a lieutenant with the Waxhaw Militia and was involved in the Anglo-Cherokee War of 1760-1761. When the Revolution came to the South Carolina backcountry in 1775, Pickens was a captain in the Long Cane Militia with about 40 troops under his command. He was promoted to general shortly after the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. Known to the Cherokee as Skyagunsta, translated to “Wizard Owl,” Pickens was essential in winning the war against the British and Native American forces. This exhibition is the first time his saber has ever been on public display.
John Ewing Colhoun’s gun
Born in Staunton, Virginia, John Ewing Colhoun was the father of John C. Calhoun’s wife, Floride Colhoun. He eventually moved to South Carolina and fought in the Revolution alongside his future brother-in-law, Andrew Pickens. Clemson Historic Properties is fortunate to have the gun he used during the Revolution, which is included in the exhibition at the Upcountry History Museum. Parts of the rifle date to the mid-19th century. However, it utilizes the original 1785 silver mount. Prior to the war, Colhoun graduated from what is now Princeton University and eventually served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1778 to 1800. He died in 1802 in Pendleton, South Carolina.
George Washington Windsor chair
Another historic connection between Clemson and the American Revolution transpired through Thomas Green Clemson’s sister, Louisa, who married the great-nephew of George Washington, Samuel Walter Washington. Through that union, Clemson Historic Properties acquired a Windsor chair that belonged to Washington. Before becoming the first president of the United States, Washington was the general of the Continental Army. One of the most notable events in his time as general was the crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, which led to the Battle of Trenton in New Jersey. The battle was ultimately won by the Continental Army. Washington’s desk chair from the campsite of Trenton, New Jersey, can normally be seen in the parlor room at Fort Hill but is now on loan to the Upcountry History Museum as part of this exhibition.
Nutmeg grater
This nutmeg grater belonged to Maj. Hugh Middleton, who fought in the American Revolution in South Carolina. Nutmeg graters, also known as nutmeg rasps, were expensive commodities in the 19th century. The grater features a surface with small holes above the container. The nutmeg would have been grated through the holes, creating a powder that fell into the container below. The powder would be sprinkled on drinks and food to enhance the flavor. Most often, it was added to punch, an alcoholic drink that became popular during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Any soldier would have been lucky to own one, and nutmeg graters were a sign of great wealth.
Sugar dish
Another item on loan is a continental silver-coated sugar dish. This sugar dish dates to the late 18th century and features a pomegranate on the lid. The sides have decorative heads on the handles with fruit and floral motifs. Sugar dishes were a way to display wealth to visitors, as sugar was an expensive item in the Revolutionary period. They were often kept under lock and key to prevent theft by servants. A critical part of English tea services, the bowl would have held sugar or sugar cubes that could be added to tea. The Sugar Act was passed by the British Parliament and enforced on the 13 colonies in 1764, contributing to the high cost of sugar and molasses.
For more information on the Upcountry History Museum exhibition, go to libraries.clemson.edu/news/clemson-partners-with-upcountry-history-museum-on-special-american-revolution-exhibit.
For more information on events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, visit clemson.edu/cah/sites/american-revolution/.
