Historic Camden Blog

Kirkland and Kennedy identify William Ancrum (1722- 1808) in Vol. 1 page 344 as “Of the wealthy firm of Ancrum, Lance and Loocock, probably never set foot in Camden, his extensive business interests here being looked after by such competent agents or partners as the two Kershaws. He was a… read more

On November 6, 2021 Historic Camden Foundation celebrated its’ 51st Anniversary at the Main Campus on Broad Street. The day included an exploration of South Carolina Revolutionary War records and genealogical discoveries relating to veterans of our nation’s fight for independence from Britain. The SC Archives and History Foundation ended… read more

by Lance Player: Communications Manager – Historic Camden Foundation The name Joseph Kershaw is one that many people recognize, especially those from Camden. A name they’re likely not quite as familiar with is Ely (Eli), Joseph’s younger brother. Ely was born in 1743 in Yorkshire, England and spent his childhood… read more

by Virginia Zemp: Executive Director – Historic Camden Foundation Michelle Evans is the new Executive Director of the Katawba Valley Land Trust (KVLT) and as such she oversees the Battle of Camden site enforcement of conservation and environmental easements. Historic Camden Foundation asked Michelle to tell us a bit more about… read more

In commemoration of the 241st Anniversary of the Battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, Historic Camden Foundation will be opening its new exhibit on medical practices and disease during colonial and Revolutionary War era Camden. Entitled Sickness and Survival this story, sponsored by BCBS, discusses South Carolinians health and effects… read more

  Historic Camden Foundation has again been given an incredible gift to engage the history of the Camden region and Kershaw County through our collection.  Thanks to a very generous gift we are establishing the Robert David Carpenter Gallery for Decorative Arts.  The Dining Room of the Kershaw Cornwallis house… read more

The Battle of Camden Archaeology Project Historic Camden Foundation is pleased to have Steven D. Smith, Director of SCIAA and Research Professor to update progress on the Battle of Camden project. Steve’s impressive background includes studies and books on historic period settlement at military installations like Fort Polk, Fort Leonard… read more

Colonial Pottery at Historic Camden: Revolution and Trade Excerpt from Fireside Chat Resources found on HistoricCamden.org John Bartlam was born 1735 in Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire, England landed in Charleston, South Carolina as a master potter. By 1765 Bartlam had established South Carolina’s first Pottworks making fine English tableware referred to as… read more

DO YOU KNOW? Luck Stone states that its mission is to “ignite human potential through Values Based Leadership and positively impact the lives of others around the world.” “When we bring a new site into our company, our associates become a part of that community, and that community becomes a… read more

Historic Camden Foundation wants to highlight some of the historic preservation efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution here in South Carolina.  In Kershaw County, the Hobkirk’s Hill Chapter led the efforts to save the site of the Battle of Camden in 1907 setting aside 5 acres of the… read more

The Historic Camden Foundation would like to thank all those who participated in our November 6th and 7th events. We are proud that you chose to join us in celebrating the extraordinary Colonial and Revolutionary War history of Camden and Kershaw County!

By: Virginia Zemp – Executive Director of the Historic Camden Foundation AN ECONOMIC FORCE FOR CAMDEN: HIGHLIGHTING THE SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION It is critical that Historic Camden remains strong to participate in the new Revolutionary War Visitors’ Center at Camden, set to open in the spring of… read more

During this past year, you have been walking and reading with me on a journey through stories of Camden’s colonial backcountry settlement, the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and the Kershaw House as the 1780 British Forward Operating Base. On August 15, 2020 our RevWar Days commemorated both the… read more

Collaborating with the SC Liberty Trail partners, Historic Camden Foundation will provide a living history journey through the Southern Campaign supported by historically related exhibits and demonstrations. Activities will be held outdoors and adhere to governmental restrictions for distancing and face covering.  Join the Historic Camden Foundation on November 7, 2020, from… read more

South Carolina’s Native American history is one that is rich, vast and reaches back in time thousands of years. One of the most prominent tribes is the Catawba (yeh is-WAH h’reh or “people of the river”), who have lived along the Catawba River for roughly 6,000 years. In 1540, Spanish… read more

By: Virginia Zemp – Executive Director The “New Normal” we are all experiencing has changed everything we do this year and will impact our plans for the near future. Preparing for the Visitor Center, Historic Camden Foundation had already started to make some exciting changes to share our colonial history… read more

We encourage you to click on the link below our new logo and enjoy our most recent newsletter! Historic Camden Newsletter 2020

By:  Southwick C Briggs II Founder:  Hemp Earth & Lime Co & CI Labor Readiness Training Co. The City of Camden has a long history of brickmaking and now visitors to Historic Camden will be able to get their hands and feet muddy making bricks at the new colonial brickyard. … read more

Thanks to the generous donation of local residents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lloyd in 1967, we were able to start our journey of telling Camden’s impressive story. With the support of our donors, board members, employees, visitors and volunteers, we have grown tremendously over the past 50 years. Historic Camden… read more