Carolina Rising Museum

The historic Carnegie Library in downtown Gaffney, SC, is being preserved and repurposed to house Carolina Rising: A Revolutionary Experience, a state-of-the-art museum. DP3 Architects is partnering with the City of Gaffney and TimeLooper to bring this project to life.

Originally constructed in 1914, the Carnegie Library was one of fourteen public libraries built in South Carolina between 1903 and 1916 and is on the national register of historical places. It is centrally located between Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park, making it the ideal setting for the museum.

Carolina Rising: A Revolutionary Experience will recount the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. The museum will focus on the stories of loyalists and patriots in Cherokee County during the Revolutionary War. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the growth and development of the upstate in the late 17th century through digital interactive simulations and can converse with artificial intelligence-powered 3D characters of historical figures.  The journey will conclude will a powerful immersive theater presentation that details the key battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens leading up to the end of the War.

As the building undergoes restoration, careful consideration will be given to integrating modern amenities while retaining the building’s classic revival architectural character. Carolina Rising will be a nationally significant, heritage tourism destination and will serve as a major catalyst for economic development in Cherokee County to further promote the Main Street revitalization in downtown Gaffney. The project is expected to be completed by 2025.