[Columbia, SC] - Take a walk through history on February 17 when the Greater Columbia Civil War Alliance (GCCWA) traces the path of General Sherman’s 1865 march on Columbia with a full day of activities in and around the city. Riverbanks Botanical Garden is one stop on the bus tour that follows Sherman’s march through Lexington and into Columbia.

“The historical landmarks located at Riverbanks are a hidden gem,” said Tommy Stringfellow, director of marketing at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “We are pleased to partner with the GCCWA to further educate the public about the rich past that can be found right here in this city.”

Riverbanks has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Structural remains dating back to the early 1800s can be found throughout the park. Walking along the Saluda River footbridge that connects the Zoo and the Garden, onlookers can see large granite abutments and remnants of supporting pier foundations. These remains were once part of the original covered State Road Bridge that was burned down during Sherman’s March in 1865.

Those individuals interested in participating in Sherman’s March can select the 9:30am or 2:30pm bus tour. The three-hour narrated tour will recall first hand accounts of Union soldiers, newspaper reporters and Columbia residents. While touring Riverbanks’ grounds, guests will see the Saluda River Factory ruins as well as the granite abutments of the original Saluda River Bridge. The tour is $15 per person.

Visitors can take a walk on the Garden River Trail to view the ruins of other structural remains that reveal the site’s rich historical past. Remnants of the granite foundations of the Saluda River Factory, one of South Carolina’s oldest textile mills, are found along the trail. This structure was also set ablaze by Sherman and his troops in 1865. In an effort to further educate the public about the historic significance of the Saluda River Factory, an Interpretive Center was built adjacent to the mill site in 1999. Artifacts, descriptions and graphics are displayed in the Center, revealing the site’s history and its connection to the Civil War.

The GCCWA and the Battle For Columbia has scheduled a full weekend of activities kicking off with a Military Ball and Grand Bazaar at the Columbia Mills building on Friday evening from 8 to 11pm. A live band will play period music with opportunities to learn dances from that era. On Saturday, a reenactment of the firing on the State Capitol will begin at 8:45am. Additional activities that will occur throughout the day on Saturday include a relic show and symposium at the Columbia Mills building. On Sunday, highlights include an 1860’s style church service and the “Battle for Columbia” at Ft. Mick.

For more information on these activities, please contact Frank Knapp at 803.217.0071 or visit www.shermansmarch.com. For bus tour or military ball tickets call 803.898.4922.