Recently, at Cayce City Hall, City officials as well as community leaders, the River Alliance Staff, and USC students unveiled the new branding for the 12,000 Year History Park (12KHP). The park is a unique archeological site with proof of habitation from 12,000 years ago. Over the last 120 centuries, the area has had an array of inhabitants, including mammoths, Native American tribes, and Civil War soldiers — including earthworks built and still existing today from an 1865 Civil War battle. The Park is full of stories and offers something for explorers of all ages.

Last fall, the 12,000 Year History Park was selected as one of USC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications' CreateAthon projects. CreateAthon advances the marketing efforts of deserving nonprofits while growing student skills and bringing them together with professional mentors. Specifically for the 12KHP, the CreateAthon was tasked with creating a branding strategy. Last weekend, the CreatAthon students won another award. The brand identity developed for the 12KHP took a gold award at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) of the Midlands.

“The CreateAthon team did a wonderful job in creating a logo and marketing tools that will be useful in attracting attention and telling the story of our nation through the 12,000 Year History Park,” commented John Jameson, staff secretary of the 12,000 Year History Park Working Group.

The 12KHP team was recognized for ‘Best Billboard’ and ‘Best Brochure Design,’ which awarded the 12,000 Year History Park nonprofit organization with free billboard advertising and complimentary printing. Keep an eye around town for these in the near future!

The 12,000 Year History Park is a one-of-a-kind cultural and environmental resource in Cayce where guided walking history tours bring alive 12,000 years of history and visitors can experience the 350 acres of natural beauty along the Congaree Creek. Tours led by National Park-trained volunteers are offered on Saturdays beginning March 2, 2019.

Special events are also offered including Civil War Encampments, Evening Lantern Tours, and Nature Days. Regular tours include stories of the Battle of Congaree Creek, First Fort Congaree, and Native American Lifeways.

Recently, a Civil War Encampment and Lantern tour on took place February 16 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1865 Battle and Burning of Columbia. Activities included a reproduction of a Civil War soldier camp with era-style tents and campfires and Civil War weapons and artifacts. Reenactors in period attire performed demonstrations at the camp, daytime and evening lantern tours, and cannon firings.

The next step for the 12KHP includes securing funding for a Visitor/Education Center. The River Alliance, a 12KHP partner, has completed a conceptual design of the Center, which is available for viewing. We are excited to have new visitors hear about the park, participate in its free tours, and join us in building the Visitor's Center.