The Francis Marion Trail Commission recently had its first meeting of 2009, and the year is off to a good start, exectuive director Bob Barrett said.
“Things look good for the trail commission,” he said. “I’m hearing a lot of positive comments. We’ve got some momentum going.”
Florence attorney Mark W. Buyck III led the meeting, his first meeting as chairman after taking the reins from Ben Zeigler, the first chairman. Zeigler, also a Florence attorney, has served since the trail commission was formed in 1993.
Barrett told commission members the National Park Service is conducting a Southern campaign of the Revolution Heritage Area Feasibility Study to evaluate the resources associated with the South’s role in the American Revolution.
“The ultimate objectives are the creation of a new National Heritage Area and education of the public concerning our history,” he said. “The study will evaluate the feasibility and suitability of including sections of both North and South Carolina in a new heritage area.”
The National Park Service is holding a series of public meetings through Thursday so the public can learn more about the study and provide input to the project planning team.
Barrett said the meetings will allow the public to provide information about major happenings, such as the Gen. Francis Marion story, which are appropriate subjects for future study by the National Park Service.
“This is an opportunity to educate the National Park Service planning team about historic events associated with the Revolutionary War, which occurred here but may not be well known outside our area,” Barrett said.
The trail commission has sent a letter to the National Park Service requesting a seat on the planning team. Barrett plans to attend one of the public meetings Tuesday in Camden. He suggested other interested people do the same thing.
Future events involving the the trail commission include:
- Francis Marion Day at FMU on Friday. The trail commission will provide exhibits.
- A Francis Marion Day celebration at 9 a.m. Friday in Marion County.
- Camp Bob Cooper historical event Saturday, sponsored by George and Carol Summers. George Summers is a member of the trail commission.
Barrett also will speak to the Florence Literary Club on March 18 and attend the S.C. Historical Society meeting March 7.
The Francis Marion Trail project’s purpose is to identify, locate, interpret and develop sites relating to Gen Francis Marion. This includes his campaigns in the Pee Dee, Midlands and Lowcountry.
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