New Trails To Bring Access to Revolutionary War Fort

Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust and The Liberty Trail, a project of the American Battlefield Trust and South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, along with numerous local and state partners, today announced the groundbreaking of trails at Fort Fair Lawn. One and three quarter miles of walking trails, providing a connection to Old Santee Canal Park and access to the Revolutionary War British fort are under construction and expected to be completed in the Fall. Fort Fair Lawn is the first property that Lord Berkeley Conservation trust owns and has opened for public access.

“South Carolina’s landscape is rich with stories,” said Chris Vaughn, executive director, Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust. “We’re grateful to partner with organizations which share our passion for protecting special places and in the case of Fort Fair Lawn, opening the property to area residents and visitors.”

Representatives from the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, SC Battleground Preservation Trust, Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center, and Berkeley County

The Liberty Trail is a unique initiative that combines land preservation, cutting edge digital interpretation and traditional on-site tourism infrastructure to create a unified narrative of the Revolutionary War in South Carolina.

Of the more than thirty forts constructed during the American Revolutionary war in South Carolina, only two remain in their original condition: the Ninety-Six National Historic Site in Greenwood County and Fort Fair Lawn in Berkeley County. The Fort Fair Lawn site is one of five new battlefield parks to be created in the first phase of The Liberty Trail. “Working with Lord Berkeley to acquire and permanently protect Fort Fair Lawn in 2016 was a significant first step,” commented Doug Bostick, executive director, South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust. “We’re eager to get residents and visitors onsite to experience the history that shaped our nation’s independence.”

“The creation of new parkland at Fort Fair Lawn will draw visitors young and old to step back in time and imagine what life was like during the American Revolution,” said American Battlefield Trust President David Duncan. “The philosophy that there is power in place is at the very heart of The Liberty Trail.”

The property is nestled between two residential neighborhoods and adjacent to Santee Cooper’s Old Santee Canal Park. Acquisition of the Fair Lawn project was a joint project with South Carolina Battleground Trust and Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust with Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust holding the deed and South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust holding the easement. Since that time, a masterplan and extensive archeological work have been completed. Interpretive kiosks are expected to be available along the trail later this year. The Berkeley Museum is developing a dedicated exhibit and will serve as the gateway to the park.

The high-profile project has attracted more than $2.2 million in funding from multiple county, state, and federal sources including the American Battlefield Protection Program, South Carolina Conservation Bank, South Carolina State Ports Authority, Berkeley County, and American Battlefield Trust. “Historic sites, like Fort Fair Lawn have a demonstrated track record of strengthening tourism and boosting economic impact,” commented Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor. “We’re grateful for the diversity of partners working together to conserve and develop this tremendous asset in our county.”