Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site
Camden, S.C.
Visited: October 21, 2005
NPS Site Visited: Not an Official Site
NPS Affiliate Site Visited: 14 of 26
Local Website
 WHAT IS IT?
An affiliate National Park Site consisting of reconstructed (in 1977) Revolutionary War-era buildings.
The Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site is so lame that it does not merit a full review. Camden is NOT a National Park Site, it is an affiliate site, meaning your National Parks Pass does not work.
The August 1870 Battle of Camden did NOT take place here. It occurred up the road at a separate Site where the Redcoats routed the Patriots. We did not want to travel to one of our country’s worst home defeats, so we didn’t.
Why did we come here, the place where English General Cornwallis and his men camped that winter? Well, somehow, the Site finagled a National Parks Passport Stamp and we are inveterate collectors. Imagine our disappointment and boiled-up anger when we arrived to see a sign on the bookstore door reading, “Back in One Hour”.
We waited and walked through the “Revolutionary War-era buildings” that were younger than us, having been built in 1977. Most were in various stages of disrepair, despite there youthfulness. One actually included a surly looking mannequin slumped over a tavern table, mug in hand, a disturbing image indeed.
Then, out of nowhere, two things arrived at the Site: a torrential downpour and a busload full of middle-aged male history tourists. They huddled at the closed book store’s entrance while we walked through the rain and took pictures. Eventually, a worker was summoned, she open the bookstore to a locust-like descent from the travelers, we got our stamp and left.
BEAUTY (3/10)
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE (4/10)
CROWDS (3/10)
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (4/5)
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (4/5)
COSTS (2/5)
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (1/5)
TOURS/CLASSES (2/10)
FUN (2/10)
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (1/10)
TOTAL 26/80
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