The Liberty Trail

History Along the Trail

Explore the people and stories of the American Revolutionary War in South Carolina through videos, audio, and biographies. Hear tales of bravery, defeat, and treason from historians and travelers. The Liberty trail offers captivating and inspiring narratives from this transformative chapter of American history.

We invite you to visit the preserved locations along the Liberty Trail and to immerse yourself in the extraordinary events that determined the fate of a nation.
Historic Site |
Stony Brook, NY

The Revolutionary War arrived on Long Island in a way that felt very close to home, with British forces taking control directly after their victory at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776. They held onto the island for the entire duration of the war. During this time, the mill at Stony Brook was busy, grinding grains that helped feed the British soldiers.

State/County Park | Historic Site
Halifax, NC

Explore colonial Halifax at a preserved Revolutionary-era town where historic homes, public spaces, and hands-on exhibits reveal how North Carolinians lived, worked, and governed in the 1700s. From influential leaders’ residences to springs, markets, and river landings, the site brings everyday life in a pivotal American community into sharp focus.

Battlefield
Lincolnton, NC

Located an hour away from Charlotte, the Ramsour's Mill battleground marks the site of the first Patriot victory in the south following the fall of Charleston.

Historic Site |
Rensselaer, NY
President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of...
State/County Park | Historic Site
Bath, NC

North Carolina's first official town and port of entry, Bath served as an early hub of trade and development during the Colonial period.

Historic Site | Marker
Garrison, NY
On September 25, 1780, Generals George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette traveled toward the Beverly Robinson House, across the Hudson River from West Point, New York. The Robinson House...
State/County Park | Fort/Outpost
Oswego, NY

Fort Ontario was a staging ground for the British’s 1777 invasion of New York. It served as a base of operations for British, Native, and Loyalist raiding parties targeting upstate New York. In 1782, the British committed a full-time garrison to the fort.

Historic Site | Historic House
Tappan, NY

Temporary headquarters for George Washington on several occasions while he was Commander-in-Chief during the American Revolution.

Historic Site | Marker
Bristol, RI
Lafayette played a crucial role in maintaining coordination between the Continental Army under General John Sullivan and newly arrived French forces under Admiral d’Estaing. In the summer of 1778, the...
Historic Site |
Rensselaer, NY
The Henry Knox Trail, also known as the Knox Cannon Trail, is a network of roads and paths that traces the route of Colonel Henry Knox's "noble train of artillery" from Crown Point, New York, to the...
Battlefield |
Williamsburg, VA

One of the last Virginia land battles of the Revolution prior to Yorktown, Green Spring saw Anthony Wayne and the Marquis de Lafayette successfully lead their troops to victory against an ambush laid by Charles Cornwallis.

State/County Park |
South Mills, NC

Located just south of the Chesapeake Bay, this "uninhabitable" Great Dismal Swamp was home to thousands of Native Americans and Maroons--self-emancipated slaves--throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.