Exhibit explores two military training camps in Spartanburg

SPARTANBURG – The Spartanburg County Regional Museum of History’s special exhibit, When the Soldiers Came to Town, has been extended to run through April 2. The display takes a look at Camp Wadsworth, Camp Croft and the Spartanburg Memorial Airport.

During the life of these two camps, more than 350,000 men received training before being sent to war. These men came from all over this country, with a majority of them coming from the northeast Camp Wadsworth was a training camp located west of Spartanburg during World War I. Camp Croft was an Infantry Replacement Training Camp located south of Spartanburg during World War II. The Spartanburg Memorial Airport was used during the second world war as a base for war games during November 1941, the 77th Pursuit Squadron was based there in 1942, and during 1943-1944, it was used by air cadets based at Wofford College as their flight training school.

The exhibit includes pictures, artifacts and more from the two camps and the airport. Visitors will see how the barracks looked at Camp Croft. Of special interest is the Camps Wadsworth Post office sign. Some of the long photos, commonly referred as “Yard longs,” of Camp Wadsworth will also be on display.

The museum is located at 100 E. Main St., in the old Belk Building near the intersection of Church Street. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. Children under 5 years old are free.

For more information or to schedule a group tour, call the Regional Museum at 864-596-3501.