
Carolina Rising Museum
GOALS
1.
Celebrate the Southern Campaign of
the American Revolution
2.
Attract visitors from surrounding
National Parks
3.
Provide an economic impact to the City of Gaffney and South Carolina
4.
Create an environment attractive to kids and families
5.
Educate through state-of-the-art destination-quality technology
6.
Provide a Catalyst to further promote Main Street revitalization efforts
Geographically Well Positioned
In the Center of History
The City of Gaffney is centrally located among the most significant assets of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution: Cowpens National Battlefield; Kings Mountain National Military Park; and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
Driving distance between the two parks with a stop in Gaffney is approximately 34.5 miles.



Cowpens National Battlefield
The Cowpens National Battlefield is located approximately 14 miles from Downtown Gaffney. Cowpens National Battlefield preserves the site where Brigadier General Daniel Morgan won a decisive Revolutionary War victory over British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton on January 17, 1781. It is considered one of the most memorable victories by Morgan and one of the most memorable defeats of Tarleton. Established as Cowpens National Battlefield on March 4, 1929, this site was transferred from the War Department on August 10, 1933 and later redesignated on April 11, 1972. Cowpens was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

Kings Mountain
National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park is located approximately 20 miles from Downtown Gaffney, along the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The park commemorates the Battle of Kings Mountain, a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Thomas Jefferson referred to the battle as, “The turn of the tide of success.”

Overmountain Victory
National Historic Trail
The 440 mile Commemorative Motor Route of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail includes portions of the City of Gaffney’s Main Street. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVHT) is part of the U.S. National Trails System. Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina), the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780.
Background & Purpose
- Gaffney’s geographic location is ideal for telling the story of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution;
- Gaffney’s historic Carnegie Library is now vacant and in need of repurposing; and
- A destination-quality Discovery Center will help strengthen revitalization efforts along Gaffney’s historic Main Street.


Carnegie’s libraries were built according to the “Carnegie Formula,” which required matching financial commitments from local partners.

Gaffney's Historic Carnegie Library:
A Legacy of Partnership
Carnegie Library is located across from City Hall and along Gaffney’s Main Street and provides a compelling location within which to tell the story of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. Built in 1914, the Gaffney Carnegie Library was one of more than 2,500 libraries funded across the world by Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie made his fortune in the steel industry during the industrial revolution and late in his life became a devoted philanthropist. When Carnegie died in 1919, he had given nearly 90% of his fortune to causes in which he believed; his gifts to various charities totaled nearly $350 million.
The Gaffney Carnegie Library operated as a library until the early 70s. Most recently, the historic building served as offices for Cherokee County until their new government campus opened in 2014. The County has provided the building to the City of Gaffney to create Carolina Rising.
