Celebrate America 250

   Revolutionary Charleston 250 is the City of Charleston, grass-roots organization dedicated to showcasing Charleston’s leadership role in the War for American Independence - "From First Protest to Final Victory". We are the nationally-recognized, local umbrella organization for all things Revolutionary in Charleston that honor America's rise to Independence.

   Alternately referred to as "Charleston 250", we are honored to be the ambassador and coordinating entity for America's 250th Anniversary Revolutionary activities in the City of Charleston; and with other Congressionally-designated showcase cities. We recognize America's official 250th Anniversary period from 2025-2033. Founded in 2018 by legacy historical organizations  and scholars in this former state-capital city, Revolutionary Charleston seeks to build Charleston's Revolutionary heritage tourism infrastructure by: 

* collaboratively showcasing and commemorating Charleston's heroes, people, places, and events that helped win American Independence;

* facilitating public and institutional Revolutionary awareness of Charleston's major role in the War for American Independence - "From First Protest to Final Victory";

* collaboratively building and showcasing  road-to-independence infrastructure that lifts all boats;

* fostering, promoting and advising Revolutionary programs and events that coincide with the 250th year of their occurrence (like the Charlestown Tea "Party" Impoundment anniversary this past December 2nd);  

* bringing together historical and arts organizations, scholars, tourism organizations, and local entities to show and tell and weave together Charleston's great revolutionary stories using the latest technologies that engage all ages; 

* cooperatively building road-to-independence knowledge, education programs, and infrastructure that lasts beyond America's 250th Anniversary; 

 * coordinating with leadership from other America 250 city organizations on artifacts and scholar exchange, and historiography;

 * cooperatively "hardwiring" Charleston's great Revolutionary War history into the city's heritage tourism culture;

 * building the Revolutionary Charleston city-brand to put Charleston on the War for American Independence destination roadmap;

 * recharging American Pride and Patriotism in our Nation's heroic founding.

   Our signature, nationally-recognized annual event supported by Governor McMaster, is the Revolutionary War Victory Day reenactment and commemoration at (Frances) Marion Square. This event honors the forced evacuation of the British Army from their Charlestown Southern Headquarters that successfully ended the war.  

    Whether you are a visitor, resident, business, government entity, historical organization, museum, or non-profit, Revolutionary Charleston loves company! Help us honor the people, places, events and principles which forged our great nation 250 years ago.

   Additional projects currently underway or being pursued include an annual British capture of Charlestown remembrance, an annual Revolutionary Charleston Symposium, Revolutionary War History MA & PHD College Degree Programs, accredited public school programs, increasing local reenactment groups, developing a Liberty Square Patriots Memorial Wall (to honor our fallen heroes and prison ship martyrs), supporting the Marion Square Augmented Reality Hornwork Fortress project, developing a Charlestown American Independence Walking Trail, replanting The Charleston Live Oak Liberty Tree,  refurbishing and relocating South Carolina's Liberty Bell to Charleston's Exchange Building, and creating a world-class Revolutionary War Victory Museum. 

   These ideas are the result of the Revolutionary Charleston Forum attended by the city's legacy historical organizations at The Exchange Building prior to Covid. To bring these city-generated ideas into fruition, we have requested 14 million dollars from the state to fund some of these projects, and are working with numerous public and private entities to sponsor others. Our mission is to usher Charlestown's authentic American Revolution history, "From First Protest to Final Victory", out of the shadows for all to experience.

   The US Congress has designated Charleston as one of the four America 250th Anniversary showcase cities to visit "that witnessed the assertion of American Independence"  (HR4875, US Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016). The Daughters of the American Revolution have recognized us with the prestigious America 250 Commendation Award for our early preparatory work. As our esteemed Governor Henry McMaster wrote us: "Charleston has the distinction of being one of the four cities to lead the campaign of America250". 

  Revolutionary Charleston leads this city-wide America 250 campaign by involving all in sharing Charleston's central role in achieving united independence from Britain. Our principal is a SC 250 Commissioner. We recommend and endorse commemorative event and research applications to the state's America 250 grant program. We support the state's officially franchised county programs and refer scholarly keynote speakers - most recently with the successful launch of Berkeley County 250. We support the Sestercentennial Commission's statutory mission to "identify projects and then apply for grants...". We work directly with city, state, county and national leaders to promote Revolutionary Charleston's unique heroes, people, places, and events that helped win independence.    

   In a nutshell, Revolutionary Charleston 250 seeks to engage, educate and inspire all about Charleston's leading role in our fledgling nation's united struggle to achieve independence from Britain. We do this by building and showcasing lasting, tourism-friendly, Revolutionary infrastructure and commemorative events through cooperative partnerships. We recognize and honor the Patriots, places, and happenings that contributed to or played a part in achieving American Independence from 1775 -1783 in Charlestown's capital port city. We help excavate and share their long-lost stories. 

 "Don't throw away your shot."  Become part of this city-focused, Rise-to-Independence mission now in the city where it happened. There are numerous ways you or your organization can become part of this exciting legacy movement: 

  * Become a project partner, sponsor, champion, Patriot, or certified Revolutionary Charleston 250 Ambassador. 

   * Participate in developing Revolutionary Charleston infrastructure and Charlestown's Independence Trail as the gateway and conclusion to South Carolina's Liberty Trails. 

   * Pick up an official Revolutionary Charleston 250 cap, shirt, and commemorative pin at The Exchange (Charleston's Independence Hall)

   * Wear a tri-corn hat on Victory Day.

   * Order a Revolutionary Charleston 250 "First Protest to Final Victory" flag to display outside your business.

   * Be a website or event sponsor.

   * Volunteer to lead, begin, host, enlarge or work a commemorative event.

   * Volunteer to be on our advisory Board, Projects Task Force, Ambassador-certification faculty, or Revolutionary Society newsletter team.

   * Showcase your Revolutionary story, building, home, research, ancestry, or artifacts to list on Charleston's American Independence Trail.

   * Apply for a state 250 research or event grant.

   * Submit an article or research paper to post on our official website.

   * Sponsor a school writing contest about Charleston's forgotten heroes.

   * Lead or help develop an accredited Revolutionary Charleston curriculum and program for schools.

   * Partner with us on publishing an official Revolutionary Charleston America 250th Anniversary Commemorative Guidebook.

   * If you are a historical organization board member or donor, request that your leadership plan now to put on a series of  collaborative  Revolutionary Charleston America 250 Anniversary events.

   * If you are a organization leader, show your company's patriotism by "adopting" a commemorative event.

   * Initiate, collaborate, participate. 

   Revolutionary Charleston loves company - so Rise Up and showcase or experience Charleston's All-America City's outstanding leadership in America's quest for independence: "From First Protest to Final Victory".

   History has its eyes on you!