“Swamp Fox” mural added as Georgetown County Museum prepares Francis Marion Interpretive Center

“Swamp Fox” mural added as Georgetown County Museum prepares Francis Marion Interpretive Center

Depicted on horseback with his militia men behind him and his friend, Oscar, beside him, Gen. Francis Marion, also known as the Swamp Fox, appears regal in a new mural on the outside of the Georgetown County Museum on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®.

The mural is one of the first installments of a Francis Marion Interpretive Center at the museum — the only one in South Carolina — which will open on March 1, 2025. The South Carolina 250 Commission designated Georgetown as the location to establish the interpretive center.

The mural also perfectly complements the interactive Revolutionary War traveling exhibit currently displayed in the museum.

Paige Sawyer, a veteran, historian, and member of the Georgetown County 250 Committee, said the mural of Marion is an important addition to the Georgetown County Museum.

“Had it not been for Gen. Francis Marion and South Carolina, I doubt if we would have won the American Revolutionary War,” he said. “South Carolina had more skirmishes and battles than any other state and Francis Marion was victorious in many of them.”

Sawyer commended the artist, Tommy Simpson of Myrtle Beach. He said Simpson came highly recommended and did an “outstanding job” on the mural.

Ribbon-Cutting

Recently the museum hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Francis Marion mural led by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. Present were officials from the City of Georgetown, the Georgetown County 250 Committee, The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Georgetown County Museum, and the Georgetown County Historical Society. Mark Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, said the Chamber was honored to be part of this historic moment.

“This beautiful mural depicting General Francis Marion and his militia men is a wonderful tribute to his legacy,” he said. “We know that people will come from all around to view it and also experience the Francis Marion Interpretive Center at the museum.”

During the ceremony, Sawyer shared some insight about the mural and the Interpretive Center.

“In 2026, our nation will be celebrating the 250^TH commemoration of the Revolutionary War,” he said. “After eight long hard years of fighting, America prevailed with the patriotism of the American Army and many ordinary citizens who were fighting for their lives, land and loved ones.”

He said although many names are remembered as contributors to the victory, Marion stands out above the others.

A humble and humane leader

“He spent part of his youth right here in Georgetown, calling Georgetown his home,” Sawyer said. “Born of Huguenot lineage, he practiced what he preached. The humble, self-sacrificing and humane leader was beloved by many.”

He said in 1780, when Charleston fell to the British, Marion was at his peak of effectiveness in his hit-and-run guerilla warfare.

Sawyer said Marion won the hearts of the families he encountered during his campaigns and staunchly retaliated for atrocities committed by his foes. Because he was so elusive and wily, he earned the name the Swamp Fox.

“Military tactics aside, there would be no burning of homes or plantations or looting,” he said. “Marion and his men took only what they needed, leaving some supplies for the survival of the family.”

Besides George Washington, Francis Marion comes in second behind George Washington for places throughout the country named after him. Marion has lent his name to 29 cities and towns and 17 counties across America, as well as countless streets and highways, a National Forest, a four-year university in Florence, amusement park rides, and many small businesses. , In Georgetown, Francis Marion Park is at Front and Broad streets, right down from the Georgetown County Museum.

Simpson said he has completed several historic murals in South Carolina, including Conway, Myrtle Beach, Dillon and Mullins. The Francis Marion mural at the Georgetown County Museum is his latest one.

“They gave me the subject matter and I designed it,” he said. “I had some reference material to go by and it was fun to paint.”

Sometimes painting murals onsite, this project was done on aluminum panels called Nibom and brought to Georgetown from his home studio. He said they won’t fade easily and should last a long time.

Ken Baeszler, chairman of the Georgetown County 250 Committee, and Robin Salmon, president of the Georgetown County Historical Society, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Baeszler said that this mural that honors Marion is in line with the committee’s mission.

“Step by step, we are educating people in the importance of Georgetown County in the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution,” he said. “This mural gives people an ‘aha’ moment that reminds them that the 250^th anniversary is right around the corner.”

Salmon said she is thrilled with the new mural honoring Marion and the exhibits paying tribute to South Carolinians’ role in the Revolutionary War.

“It is beautiful, authentic and historical,” she said. “I think it is good that we now have this beautiful mural at the museum that will honor Francis Marion’s legacy for decades to come.”

Georgetown Tea Party Celebration on Dec. 5

The committee has organized several events in the area to commemorate the 250^th anniversary and the next event will be in Georgetown on Thursday, Dec. 5, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Georgetown County Museum. guests can view and experience the American Revolutionary War travel exhibit while enjoying colonial music and light colonial fare before noted historian and author Ron Bridwell sets the stage for the Georgetown Tea Party by speaking at 7 p.m. He will explain how tensions were mounting in the colonies, including the Georgetown area, that led to the strong feelings that erupted in December 1774 with Georgetown’s own tea party.

After placing a ceremonial teacup on the Museum’s already teacup-laden tree, Georgetown County 250 Committee board member Phil Phillips will lead the processional down Broad Street to the Harbor Walk to view the reenactment of the Georgetown Tea Party. Photo opportunities and certificates of participation will be available for the families who portray the members of the Georgetown Committee of Observation.

Copies of “That We Should Have a Port”, Bridwell’s history of the Port of Georgetown, SC 1732 – 2018, will be available for purchase, and the author will be available for a book-signings.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®