A Revolutionary War reenactor unit, The 2nd South Carolina Regiment, 1775-1780, will highlight the little-known fact that CofC served as a prisoner of war camp for American prisoners during much of the Revolutionary War and give students, community members and tourists an opportunity to imagine Charleston at the time of CofC’s founding.
Approximately 25–30 members of the Regiment will create the authentic prisoner war camp. These experienced living historians, who have frequently worked with the National Park Service and given demonstrations at local schools, will stay in character and present the material culture and worldview of their historical subjects, allowing visitors to chat with them and examine their gear.
The Cistern Yard was the location of the American barracks at the beginning of the American Revolution. Specifically, the barracks were exactly where Towell Library is now. When the British took Charles Towne in the Siege of Charleston in 1780, several hundred revolutionary soldiers were interned in those barracks.