The Liberty Trail

For over three decades, the American Battlefield Trust has worked tirelessly to preserve hallowed ground from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, resulting in the permanent protection of more than 53,000 acres of battlefield land in 24 states to date. In addition, the Trust has brought historical interpretation to scores of battlefield sites using various tools and techniques, including the installation of on-site interpretive signage and in more recent years, the development of our mobile apps. 

As the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding nears, the Trust is exploring a variety of programs designed to ensure that our organization’s contributions to this commemoration leaves a powerful and lasting legacy of preservation and education for current and future generations. One such initiative is The Liberty Trail, an innovative driving route designed to connect key Revolutionary War battlefields of the Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, beginning in South Carolina. 

The cornerstone of The Liberty Trail, like so much of the work we do at the American Battlefield Trust, is the preservation of hallowed battlegrounds. Through this project, thousands of acres of battlefield land will be permanently protected. Today, most of these sites are blank slates—quiet fields and forests waiting to tell their stories. While the names of these Southern Campaigns battles may not be as well known to many people, the toil and sacrifice that occurred at places like Eutaw Springs, Camden, and Waxhaws played critical and often determinative roles in the winning of American Independence.

Once preserved, these battlefields will be brought to life with innovative on-site interpretation enhanced by cutting-edge digital offerings. An engaging and interactive mobile tour will connect sites along The Liberty Trail, including existing National Park Service, state, and local parks, and guide visitors between these battlefields. Once on-site, the mobile tour will deliver rich content that explains the battles and highlights the many diverse individuals who participated in the Southern Campaigns. Each site on The Liberty Trail, whether a full-scale battlefield park or a roadside pull-off, will be an “outdoor classroom” designed to teach students of all ages and inspire visitors to continue their educational journeys.

The American Battlefield Trust has partnered with the South Carolina Battleground Trust to lead this historic effort to protect The Liberty Trail’s battlefields and create new opportunities for visitors to engage with this chapter of American history. Numerous dedicated partners at the federal, state, and local levels have been, and will continue to be, critical to the success of The Liberty Trail. As we continue our work on this initiative, we do so with the goal of creating a unique educational and heritage tourism experience that can serve as a model for future projects undertaken by the Trust and our partners to share the history of America’s first century.

To learn more about our efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail, please visit www.TheLibertyTrail.org.