The South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) has received a grant from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) to restore Richardson Cemetery, a Revolutionary War-era burial ground located in Clarendon County across from SCWA's Wildlife Education Center.
Richardson Cemetery is the burial site of Brigadier General Richard Richardson, an early Patriot leader and commander of the 1775 Snow Campaign, one of the first major military actions of the American Revolution in South Carolina. The cemetery also includes multiple generations of the Richardson family, whose descendants later served as governors, legislators, judges, and civic leaders in the state.
The grant will support archaeological verification, restoration work, and the installation of seven permanent interpretive panels. These efforts will transform the cemetery into a publicly accessible Revolutionary War heritage site.
SC250 was created to commemorate South Carolina's role in the American Revolution and supports projects that preserve historic sites, expand public access, and increase understanding of the state's Revolutionary era from 1770 to 1783. The Commission funds projects across all 46 counties that promote education, tourism, and community engagement. SCWA's proposal closely matched these goals.
Because SCWA owns and manages the surrounding land and partners with professional historians, archaeologists, and interpretive planners, the project was identified as a strong long-term investment with lasting public benefit.
"This grant allows us to protect an important part of South Carolina's history and share it with the public," said SCWA Founder and CEO David Wielicki. "Richardson Cemetery helps tell the story of early Revolutionary leadership and how it shaped the state we know today."
The project includes archaeological research using ground-penetrating radar, drone mapping, grave documentation, and historical research. Restoration work will include sod installation, colonial-style fencing, and a historically appropriate vehicle gate. Interpretive signs will highlight General Richardson, the Snow Campaign, the Charleston to Camden Road, the Richardson family legacy, and the surrounding Revolutionary landscape.
The site will also be incorporated into SCWA's education programs, which serve more than 5,000 students each year. Public access improvements, marketing efforts, and a ribbon cutting event recognizing SC250's support are planned.
Once completed, Richardson Cemetery will be preserved as a Revolutionary War heritage site for future generations.
About the South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA): The South Carolina Waterfowl Association exists to enhance and perpetuate our wildlife heritage through education and habitat conservation. For more information about the South Carolina Waterfowl Association and its education and conservation programs, visit scwa.org.
About the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250): Chartered by the South Carolina General Assembly, the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) is responsible for planning and executing South Carolina's observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary era. The Commission works to commemorate the state's significant role in securing American independence by educating, engaging, and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors through inclusive storytelling, heritage tourism, educational initiatives, and economic development. Learn more at southcarolina250.com.