Historic Brattonsville Marks 250th Anniversary With 1850s Independence Day

Historic Brattonsville will host a special Living History Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27 honoring the 250th anniversary of American independence, with the McConnells site recreating how families in the Carolina Piedmont celebrated the Fourth of July during the 1850s.

The event is included with general admission and gives York County families a chance to mark the nation’s milestone anniversary through hands on demonstrations rather than a typical fireworks display or parade.

Visitors can take part in ongoing activities throughout the day, including sampling 19th century refreshments and what organizers describe as period style libations, playing with toys and games from the era and trying their hand at writing with a quill pen.

Several timed activities are planned as well. Hot air balloon launches are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At noon and again at 3 p.m., the Oak Grove Stage will host Patriotic Musings, a program featuring readings from the nation’s founding documents along with guest led toasts. A guided tour of the Brattonsville site is set for 1 p.m.

On-Going Activities:
• 19th-century refreshments and “libations”
• 19th-century toys and games
• Writing with quill pens

Timed Activities:
• Hot air balloon launches — 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
• “Patriotic Musings” at the Oak Grove Stage featuring readings and guest-led toasts from America’s founding documents — Noon & 3 p.m.
• Brattonsville Site Tour — 1 p.m.

Organizers are encouraging guests to bring a family friendly drink to take part in the patriotic toasts, or to pick one up at the site’s gift shop.

The event continues Historic Brattonsville’s run of themed Living History Saturdays this year, which the Culture and Heritage Museums of York County have used throughout 2026 to highlight different chapters of the region’s past as part of the statewide SC250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The site also plans a separate Fourth of July program on July 4 focused on military history in the South Carolina Backcountry, including activities tied to the Battle of Huck’s Defeat, which was fought on the property in 1780.

Historic Brattonsville is located at 1444 Brattonsville Road in McConnells. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.