Relive the Revolution with the Beaufort County Library, April 1 - July 2, 2026

When we think of the Revolutionary War, we often conjure up thoughts of Valley Forge and the Crossing of the Delaware, but the American Revolution happened across all 13 colonies. But there are those who have analyzed the evidence to conclude that the American Revolution was won in the South, and more specifically by successful military actions by Patriot forces within South Carolina that led to the entrapment of the British forces at Yorktown and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis's army on October 19, 1781. 

Revealing the Revolution (RtR) Marker Challenge : 2 Options

Don’t forget that mischief was afoot in bucolic colonial South Carolina, as well. Over the past several years, the BDC and its partners have been amping up our local history programs related to the American Revolution. And while Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, was creating havoc up toward Charleston, others like Thomas Heyward, Jr. and William Moultrie were making history in Beaufort District.

The BDC staff and the Beaufort County Historical Society (BCHS) have teamed up to offer you the opportunity to explore Beaufort District's Revolutionary War history one historical marker at a time. Beginning April 1, participants simply need to pick up a "Revealing the Revolution Historical Marker" challenge game sheet from any County Branch Library or bookmobile and set out to find the markers listed inside.  A QR code on the front of each game sheet provides a Google map of all marker locations. Each marker’s text supplies the answers to questions that must be completed.

• Don't have a library card? Not a problem - though we do hope that every County resident eligible for a free card has one. 
• Don't have time to visit one of our Branch Libraries? Not a problem - the deluxe version of our game can also be downloaded and printed from the Beaufort County Historical Society website. 

Because the RtR Committee wanted to include as many folks as possible, we planned two levels of participation for you to take part in our challenge: 

Option #1: Participants who wish to “tour” the markers from the comfort of a chair can pick up the “Library Quest” bi-fold brochure listing 5 historical markers and then find the placards hidden throughout the Branch Library or bookmobiles. To make it easy to win, the actual marker text will be provided on the placards at each location. 

• Answer the questions to receive a stamp on your "Celebrate America 250 Passport" at any Library circulation desk. (More about the "Celebrate America 250 Passport" series under the next heading below). 
• Drop your completed "Library Quest" into one of the "Revealing the Revolution" ballot boxes at each library location. Be sure to write legibly. 
• OR you can get your passport stamped before submitting your completed form online.  

The BCHS will mail you one car sticker for your participation as long as supplies last. Limit one car sticker per participant. Your participation can be, as they say, "done and dusted" at this level of participation... or ... 

Option #2: You can up the ante and play the deluxe version. Option #2 is designed for true-blue, red and white striped, starry-eyed history nerds and heritage tourists. The RtR Committee has chosen 15 historic markers, most funded and maintained by the Beaufort County Historical Society, for you to visit. Each one has an accompanying question to answer correctly in the RtR trifold game sheet that you can pick up at a library location. You can also download the trifold game sheet from the BCHS website. 

We would also love to see your adventures! Share your photos of your visits to the historical markers on social media using #RevealingTheRevolution2026.  [Please note: Participating in the use of this hashtag grants the BCHS and the Beaufort County Library permission to use shared photos for promotional purposes.]

o Visit 5 historical markers to receive a "Revealing the Revolution" car sticker.

o Visit 10 historical markers to receive the car sticker and a "Revealing the Revolution" challenge coin.

o Visit all 15 historical markers to receive the car sticker, the challenge coin, and an entry into the Grand Prize drawing in mid-July.

The Grand Prize is a 22" X 26" framed replica of the Robert Mills 1825 map of Beaufort District. 

Limit one prize per level per participant. 

Completed game sheets can be returned to any Branch Library or bookmobile or mailed directly to the Beaufort County Historical Society with your own postage.  The BCHS will mail the prizes earned to those who successfully complete the challenge as long as supplies last. The Grand Prize drawing will occur in mid-July is. The BCHS will distribute all prizes by mail by the end of July.   

We are grateful for a grant from the Beaufort County 250th Committee that has funded the purchase of the car stickers and challenge coins project. The Mills Atlas replica was a donation from a private individual. Please note: The challenge ends on July 2.

Our sincere hope is that you'll have fun with our "Revealing the Revolution" Historical Marker Scavenger Hunt Library Quiz (option #1) and/or RtR deluxe (option #2) all the while learning about the important people and events that shaped Beaufort District’s Revolutionary era history.

But wait! There's more.

Celebrate America 250 Passport

Pick up your “Celebrate America 250” passport at a library location beginning April 1. Participate in any four of the listed activities then bring your card to a Branch Library or Bookmobile to receive a limited-edition sticker.

Here are just a few of the activities we have planned:

• Color a quilt block for the Martha Washington Star Paper Quilts at the Branch Libraries to create a community patchwork of diverse designs.  
• Contribute your “Hope for the Future” of our nation or community to a Time Capsule to be archived in the Beaufort District Collection. 
• Attend a “Revolutionary Roots” hands-on Ancestry Library Edition program to learn how to trace your lineage, uncover stories about ancestors who lived during the Revolutionary era, and see how your own family may connect to America’s fight for independence.
• All ages are invited to travel back in time through 18th century games and crafts. Learn how to embroider. Create a quill pen, practice your cursive penmanship, and sign your “John Hancock” to the Declaration of Independence. Play Hoops and Sticks, Marbles, Checkers and other games of the period.
• Successfully complete the "Historical Marker Scavenger Hunt - Library Quest" game sheet. 

We end our series with two days of “Liberty and Legacy.” Mark BCL America250 with a family friendly celebration that brings history to life through colonial-themed crafts and games, screenings of Ken Burns’ American Revolution documentary, a trivia contest about the war emceed by yours truly, and visits from Ben Franklin himself. All are welcome.

Be sure to check the Library Calendar for details about our scheduled programs. (Tip: You can filter the “Program Type” to “America 250” to get a birds-eye view of the scheduled activities what we have in store to commemorate the Semiquincentennial of our country.)

During this year of celebration of our Independence, we hope that this community-wide effort will be an exciting and enjoyable way to learn about the people, places and events that helped shape the Revolutionary War effort.