Return to Revolutionary War Country: Congress 2014

Staff Writer
SAR Magazine
Spring 2014

The 124th Congress in Greenville, S.C., promises to be fun, exciting, educational and historical. From tours of Revolutionary War battlegrounds to important business matters, this Congress will hold interest for all who attend.

The festivities will begin on Friday morning, July 18, with a wreath-laying at a statue of Nathanael Greene, led by President General Joseph Dooley. Organized by the SCSSAR Color Guard, this kickoff event, featuring a firing of muskets, will be the “shot heard around Greenville” proclaiming that the Sons of the American Revolution have arrived. Our days in Greenville will conclude with a post-Congress tour of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

Tuesday Is a Big Day

Tuesday, July 22, will be a busy day, starting with a hearty District breakfast. Then, it’s off to a business session, followed by the George Washington/VPG Luncheon (see registration form on page 10). George Washington was a leader pulled in many directions. One of the more dramatic tests of his leadership was the impact of Benedict Arnold’s treason. Join Dr. Peter Henriques in the Regency Ballroom as he presents a revealing discussion of Washington’s leadership and character evidenced by his response to the actions of Arnold and Arnold’s two accomplices, Major John Andre and Joshua Hett Smith. The strength of Washington’s temperament will be revealed.

Tours!

Many suggest the war was won in South Carolina, and you’ll have a chance to visit crucial battle sites such as King’s Mountain, Cowpens and Ninety Six on Saturday, July 19. But you’ll leave with a different perspective, thanks to narrated tours as the tour bus travels across the countryside, with National Park Service videos on the bus, and re-enactors at the sites.

Just where were those patriots and British troops standing in the field? Well, the South Carolina Society has arranged for re-enactors to take up static positions to provide a full understanding of the battle scenes. And as a tribute to the Congress held in 1930, the same menu will be replicated. If you’ve been to King’s Mountain, come again and see it from a new viewpoint.

The tour on Saturday continues on to Cowpens. Gens. Greene and Daniel Morgan crushed the British during this battle, and it was the beginning of the end.

The tour on Wednesday will return to another crucial site: the Siege of Ninety Six. Gens. Greene and Francis Marion, subject of the 2014 Poster Contest, drove the British from this site. It’s an exciting story of how the patriots overcame the world’s greatest army!

A post-Congress trip to the Biltmore Estate is offered. This grand home of the Vanderbilts is known for its opulence and exhibition of 19th century wealth. The tour includes admission, a scrumptious buffet lunch, tour of the property and a side

Top, Greenville’s tree-lined Main Street; center, re-enactors at Ninety Six National Historic Site; bottom, the visitor center at Cowpens National Battlefeld; and opposite page, the stately Poinsett Club Trip to the winery in motor coach departing from the Hyatt Regency Greenville.

Registration

The Congress registration form appears on page 10 and also is available online at sar.org. Credit card payments are accepted. Online registration is not available at this time. An overview of the Congress schedule appears on page 8. A more detailed description of events may soon be viewed at the Congress Web page, along with other detailed infor- mation. First-time attendees will find information specific to them and are encouraged to be present at the first-time attendee meeting on Sunday morning.

Getting to Greenville

Those flying into Greenville should note that GSP is the airport code. Service is provided by Allegiant, American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines. The Hyatt provides a shuttle. For shuttle service, contact the hotel at (864) 235-1234 and provide the bell stand with arrival information 24 hours in advance. Alternatively, you can contact Atchison Transport at 1-877-287-2001 for car service or a van to meet you or your group. The rate is $38. The airport is approximately 18 miles from the hotel.

Those driving to Greenville will find detailed directions on the Congress Web page at sar.org. If you are using a GPS unit, navigate to the Hyatt hotel via this address: 50 Beattie Place, Greenville, S.C. (DO NOT use the Main Street address.) Beattie is a one-way, east-bound street.

Parking is available in the adjacent city parking garage called Commons Parking. This four-level garage is connected to the Hyatt Regency Greenville by a covered walkway. The rate is $6 per day.

Compatriots and guests staying at the Holiday Inn Express will find it easy to locate at 407 North Main Street, Greenville. Parking is free for guests.

Hotel

At press time, the SAR block at the Hyatt is full, but rooms are available at the Crowne Plaza. Call 1-877-270-1393 and request Group Code: SAR. A shuttle will operate to and from the Hyatt. The South Carolina Society is very excited about hosting the 124th Congress. It will be a grand event with your friends or new friends! See you soon on Main Street, Greenville!