The South Carolina Military Academy at The Charleston Exposition

Entrance to the South Carolina Military Academy's exhibit. 

The Citadel, then called the South Carolina Military Academy (SCMA), created an exhibit for the 1901-1902 South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition.

Photos of the exhibit provide a glimpse into the physical items and selected portraits used by the college.

A guestbook was used to record visitors to the exhibit. Cadets took turns volunteering at the exhibit, and entered their names inside the guestbook. 

The South Carolina Military Academy Exhibit

The Sophomore Class of 1903 remembered The South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition fondly within their yearbook's history:

"We march to the grounds and we march back, over rough cobblestones and muddy streets, with our guns on our shoulders and oaths on our lips. We escort Governors, Senators, Presidents; we sham-battle with picked troops of the United States; we hold dress parades galore; we give hops, we celebrate with wine and lute, (especially with wine); we guard the Liberty Bell; we do not study and we flunk our exams! But the Board of Visitors are kid and do not ship us."

Additional view of the South Carolina Military Academy's exhibit.

The Charleston Exposition was to take place next year, and we all looked forward to it with great expectations. We were going to have a high old time, seeing and being seen. The Exposition was educational, and we were going to lay our books aside and spend most of our time there. Besides we would be associated with calico and lace, and we were going to fall in love, and become engaged, and do nearly everything else grand except get married. But the faculty had anticipated all this...The Professor of Physics had been to Chicago University during the summer, and he returned with both barrels loaded. The Tactical Officer had made a special trip to West Point to make observations, and we knew that trouble was ahead..."

From the Senior Class of 1903's class history of the year 1900.

Letter from the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition Chair to Colonel Asbury Coward, December 5 1900

In addition to volunteering at the South Carolina Military Academy's exposition exhibit, cadets participated in special events held at The Charleston Exposition. 

In December 1900, Colonel Asbury Coward received a letter from the Chairman of the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition. This letter extended an invitation for the cadets to the participate in a parade for the Laying of the Corner Stone for one of the buildings for the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition.

On December 11th, 1901, cadets attended this official ceremony for the laying of the corner stone to one of the exposition's principal buildings. In addition, the South Carolina Military Academy's cadets participated in that day's parade festivities.