History and Arts Museum tells story of this area's importance to America's independence

When Museum officials began the layout for the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum over two years ago, the plan centered around one thing - The Revolutionary War.

The Cherokee County History and Arts Museum is open Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment by calling 864-489-3988. The Museum will be open throughout the July 4 weekend.

While the new facility houses exhibits on everything from moonshine to modern art, most visitors have said the most visually stunning is the 90 ft. mural that is the backdrop for a series of displays that tell the importance that the Upstate, otherwise known as the Backcountry, played in turning the tide of the Revolutionary War in favor of the Patriots.

"The mural, a commissioned piece by nationally known artist Bill Briggs, is a masterful work in itself, but when combined with artifacts, such as the 1976 Bicentennial Grasshopper Cannon from Cowpens Battlefield, an important story begins to be told," said Museum Director Billy Pennington.

"Many people know that there were more Revolutionary War battles fought in South Carolina than in any other state, but very few, including many locals, realize that if had not been for the changing attitudes of those in the South Carolina Backcountry towards the British, we would most likely still be a British colony today."

This exhibit was so important to the design of the Museum exhibits, that Pennington attended a weeklong workshop during the summer of 2007 to prepare for the research and writing of the exhibit text panels.

"Unfortunately, the importance of the American War for Independence is being overlooked by school systems across the nation," said Pennington, "and more so, the role that the South Carolina Backcountry played in our success.

"Most textbooks barely mention Cowpens, Kings Mountain, Ninety-Six, Huck's Defeat, or any other South Carolina Backcountry battles, if they are discussed at all, and these were the battles that resulted in American victory. America's independence will be celebrated this Friday, and it is our hope that this exhibit will explain how important we were in making it happen. The American Revolution in South Carolina could more aptly be called The First Civil War in South Carolina because Backcountry residents despised Lowcountry planters. This exhibit explains why and how that internal struggle was overcome. For five years the British dominated the war, but in a few months they were defeated by a bunch of Backcountry rebels who wanted nothing more than to be left alone by everyone. How can an empire be brought to its knees? This is one of many questions our exhibit answers," Pennington said.