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 |
Syracuse, NY
The Lafayette Tour Marker - Onondaga, NY The Lafayette Trail President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states...
State/County Park | Historic Site
Mexico, NY

Patriot spy named Silas Towne hid on this island and observed British General Barry St. Ledger’s troop movements during the 1777 three-pronged invasion of New York.

Historic Site |
Washington Crossing, PA
Discover the site of General George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night in 1776. Washington Crossing State Park preserves this important moment in American history...
Historic Site | Historic House
Charleston, SC

This historic house museum was the home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., one of four South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Historic Site | Marker
Rome, NY
General Lafayette’s participation in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Fort Stanwix is central to confirming his public identity as a friend of Native Americans. Lafayette arrived at Fort...
Historic Site |
Bridgeton, NJ
Potter's Tavern Wikimedia/Smallbones Colonial taverns were crucial hubs for the Revolution, serving as gathering places where travelers exchanged news from across the colonies and locals engaged in...
Historic Site | Battlefield
Spartanburg, SC

When Jane Black Thomas overheard Loyalists plotting a surprise attack on her son's militia camp, she rode nearly 60 miles through dangerous territory to warn him. Her daring ride gave Colonel John Thomas Jr. and his Spartan Regiment time to prepare an ambush that repelled the attackers — fueling Patriot momentum toward the war-changing Battle of King's Mountain just three months later.

Historic Site | Marker
Rochester, 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
Charleston, SC

Marion Square, named in honor of Francis Marion, is greenspace in downtown Charleston, South Carolina and features remnants of The Hornwork, a large fortification built in 1758 that played a major role in the fight for independence.

Historic Site | Marker
Warwick, RI

The Gaspee Monument is a historical marker and commemorative site marking the location where British prisoners from the schooner HMS Gaspee were taken ashore after its burning in 1772.

Battlefield |
Union, NJ

The Battles of Connecticut Farms and Springfield were small but at the same time significant. It proved that New Jersey militia would stubbornly oppose any attempt by the British to move inland. The battles also showed that militia and Continental regular troops could work well together.

Battlefield | National Park
Stillwater, NY

The Battles of Saratoga marked a decisive turning point in the American Revolution, where Patriot forces achieved a stunning victory over a major British army. This triumph not only shattered British momentum but convinced France that the American cause was worth backing, transforming a colonial rebellion into an international war.