Sword of Gideon Theatrical Poster - Accession 1791 M845 (903)

The Sword of Gideon Theatrical Poster consists of a printed promotional poster advertising a 1953 outdoor historical drama based on the Battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780), a pivotal engagement of the American Revolutionary War in the southern backcountry. Written and directed by Florette Henri, the production was titled The Sword of Gideon: The Historical Drama about the Battle of Kings Mountain. Henri, a noted writer and historian, was recognized for her scholarly work examining the history and discrimination of African Americans and Native Americans, and her authorship situates the drama within a broader mid-twentieth-century effort to interpret Revolutionary history for public audiences. The title’s reference to Gideon alludes to the biblical military leader from the Book of Judges and serves as a symbolic parallel to the patriot militia forces who fought at Kings Mountain. This allegorical framing underscores themes of righteous struggle, leadership, and collective resistance that were commonly emphasized in popular historical interpretations of the period. According to the poster, performances were staged at the amphitheater of Kings Mountain National Military Park, with twelve performances presented between September 11 and October 4, 1953. In addition to Henri’s leadership, the production was sponsored by the Little Theatre Groups of the surrounding region, including Kings Mountain, Shelby, Gastonia, York, and Rock Hill, reflecting a collaborative community-theater effort spanning both South Carolina and North Carolina. The poster also documents practical details of mid-century theatrical culture, listing ticket prices of $1.80 for general admission and $2.40 for reserved seating. As an artifact, the poster provides insight into post–World War II public history initiatives, regional commemoration of Revolutionary War sites, and the use of outdoor historical drama as a means of education, tourism, and community engagement in the mid-twentieth-century South.