Today we’re going to explore the history of a specific piece of property in urban Charleston called Marion Square. I’m sure most of you know the piece of land I’m talking about, but in case you’re new to the Lowcountry, we’ll begin with the basics.

Episode 18: A Brief History of Marion Square, Part 1 - Charleston Time Machine

This is episode one of an audio documentary in three parts that follows key figures through the Revolutionary War battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina, bringing the extant writings and words of the past to life. 

On July 4, 1776, the assortment of states that was formerly known as the Thirteen Colonies declared its independence from Great Britain. Four years later, on October 7, 1780, Patriot irregulars would engage British Major Patrick Ferguson in a decisive victory in an hour-long battle at Kings Mountain, South Carolina. 

This show was conceived by John Mugabe, South Carolina resident, and a graduate of the inaugural class of the American Battlefield Trust’s Youth Leadership Team, as a part of his capstone project about the Battle of Kings Mountain. 

The brave men and heroes of that battle were John’s motivating factor in choosing these stories as his capstone project. “They were willing to put their lives at risk, as Gen. William Campbell put it, ‘to remember their liberty,’” John said. He continued, “And while that is what they fought for, we must not lose sight of the fact that they won much more than that, they won their children’s liberty, your liberty, my liberty, and the liberty of every country accepting of our democratic ideals.”

The American Battlefield Trust Youth Leadership Team is comprised of a rotating group of 10-15 young people, aged 15-18, chosen every year to serve as the youth face and voice of the American Battlefield Trust.  As a part of the program, members of the Youth Leadership Team complete capstone projects in their communities.

The Battle of Kings Mountain: A Story of Memories, Episode 1

American Battlefield Trust

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