The Museum

10/14/2026

The Museum ladies were hard at work behind the scenes (as usual) today. But, today was a little more festive than usual…any guesses? 🤔

10/13/2026

We are INCREDIBLY grateful for the Greenwood County Community Foundation and can't wait to see the progress on our new entrance!

GCCF awards grant to The Museum

10/13/2026

Many of us history buffs have had the honor of exploring Star Fort in the Town of Ninety Six, but how many of us have been able to see it from this vantage point? Fascinating results and so cool to see how history remains exciting from every angle!

📌 Star Fort — Ninety Six, South Carolina
📍 34°08′45.36″N 82°01′06.59″W

LiDAR reveals one of the best-preserved Revolutionary War fortifications in the United States, the distinctive Star Fort at Ninety Six National Historic Site. Even after more than two centuries of erosion, the fort's sharp angular bastions, surrounding ditch, and defensive earthworks remain remarkably visible in the terrain.

British forces built this star-shaped fort in 1780 as part of a larger fortified complex designed to secure one of the most important Loyalist strongholds in the South Carolina backcountry. Originally settled in the early 1700s, Ninety Six had grown into a prosperous frontier village of roughly 100 residents by the outbreak of the Revolution. The area saw some of the earliest fighting in South Carolina during the war, when Patriot militia under Major Andrew Williamson confronted Loyalists during the November 1775 Siege of Savage's Old Fields. The engagement ended in a truce, but it made clear just how deeply divided the Carolina backcountry really was, where Patriot and Loyalist neighbors often found themselves on opposite sides of the same conflict.

Recognizing the settlement's strategic importance, British forces occupied and fortified Ninety Six in 1780. The centerpiece of the defenses was the earthen Star Fort, backed by a network of trenches, stockades, batteries, and other defensive works spread across the surrounding landscape. The fort itself measures roughly 170 feet across, designed so defenders could deliver overlapping fields of fire from its projecting bastions while minimizing vulnerable blind spots.

The site is best known for the Siege of Ninety Six, fought from May 22 to June 18, 1781. Major General Nathanael Greene led roughly 1,000 Patriot troops against a garrison of about 550 Loyalist defenders commanded by Lieutenant Colonel John Harris Cruger. During the 28-day siege, Greene's forces dug extensive approach trenches and even built a wooden siege tower trying to overcome the fort's defenses. Despite the effort, the Patriots failed to capture the position before British reinforcements approached, forcing Greene to withdraw.

Today, the 1,022-acre Ninety Six National Historic Site preserves not just the famous Star Fort but an entire Revolutionary War battlefield landscape. Few Revolutionary War sites in America preserve their original field fortifications as clearly as Ninety Six, making it one of the most important archaeological and military landscapes from the struggle for American independence.

This comparison image places the LiDAR terrain model above a modern aerial photograph of the same location. The LiDAR clearly outlines the Star Fort's angular defensive walls, surrounding ditch, and nearby earthworks, while the aerial photograph shows how the fort survives today as subtle grassy embankments within the historic battlefield. The contrast shows just how effectively LiDAR can bring centuries-old military fortifications back into view.

10/05/2026

We're so excited for our new neighbors! Come check out the new Discover Greenwood office right next door!

09/29/2026

Last week, we had an incredible time enjoying the "fool's fall" weather at our Golf Classic supporting the Greenwood Railroad Historical Center! Thank you to everyone who came out to support our mission!

09/23/2026

Tomorrow's the big day! Join us for the Annual Railroad Museum Golf Classic! Link in comments for details!

09/22/2026

All aboard who's going aboard for the season! Saturday, September 26th is the last day to tour the train at the Greenwood Railroad Historical Center, due to construction updates on the depot.

We'll be saying goodbye to the bank building because it's . Which means, we're leaving the station a little earlier than anticipated.

Book your tour today! (864) 229-7093.

09/15/2026

They say to put your best foot forward, and there's no one better to cheerfully represent the Museum and the Greenwood Railroad Historical Center than our beloved Nickie Baker Murphy!

Special thanks to Lander University for hosting us at their Communiversity event! Claws up! 💙💛🐾

09/14/2026

We are grateful for a community that remembers well. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. You make us proud to be American. ❤️🇺🇸

09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since 9/11.
May we never forget the lives lost.
And may we never forget the men and women who served so fearlessly.
🇺🇸🗽

The U.S. marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Events will honor those lost, at a time when Americans are divided about the meaning and legacy of the terrorist attacks.