When in Columbia you must visit the State House the South Carolina symbol of hope, sacrifice and endurance in the face of hardship. It's a perfect opportunity (and FREE to attend) to introduce your kids to South Carolina's fascinating history, outstanding architecture, and to pay tribute to our state and nation heroes.
“One of the most notable buildings in the world”, the magnificent SC State House, took more than 50 years and $3.5 million dollars to complete.
• In 1854 everything was torn down because inappropriate materials were used.
• During the Civil War Union troops destroyed much of Columbia including the State House building.
• In 1885 the architect died and a new one had to be appointed.
• Finally in 1907 the fireproof State House was complete thanks to architects John M. Niernsee and his son. During 1995-1998 renovation was done to make the building earthquake proof.
When to visit:
Free guided tours are available Monday through Saturday and each start with a short movie overview. Call (803)-734-2430 to schedule a tour or check at the Visitor’s office inside the State House. On your own, best time to visit is on Monday, Friday, Saturday and the 1st Sunday of the month. To watch SC elected officials at work go Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February to June .
State House Highlights and Interesting Things to See:
Outside
• The State House columns, believed to be the largest monolithic columns on a public building in the U.S. Each column is carved from a single piece of stone.
• The standout exterior dome is made of steel and wood and finished copper. The “false” interior dome was put for aesthetic reasons.
• George Washington’s bronze statue towers the grounds in front of the Capitol. Union soldiers brick-batted the statue and broke the cane in 1865.
• Marker of the old State House built 1786 – 1790 and burned down by Sherman’s troops during Civil War. James Hoban the architect of the building later designed the White House.
• Gun from the famous Battleship Maine whose sinking launched the Spanish-American War in 1898
• 1852 Palmetto Regiment Monument honoring veterans of the Mexican War. It’s the oldest and most elaborate monuments on the State House grounds. It cost a “whopping” 19th century $5,000 to build!
• The John C. Calhoun, the 1st outside building at the State House and recently featured in the Kevin Bacon movie “Death Sentence” (as the SC Supreme Court).
• Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Sumter Street survived the fire ravages left by Sherman’s troupes. During the Civil War, the iron spikes on top of the cathedral were melted to make cannonballs for the Confederacy. 5 South Carolina governors, 3 Confederate generals, and Henry Timrod, the unofficial “poet laureate of the Confederacy” are buried in the cemetery.
Inside
• The Mace, the House authority and oldest original one used in the U.S. When put in front of the desk means “the House is in session”. The mace it’s a 1756 gift from England. During the Revolutionary War it disappeared, and was discovered 40 years later in a Philadelphia bank vault!
• The House of Representatives Chamber, remodeled it now resembles the one in Austin, TX.
• 1800s astonishing mosaic representing the Seal of South Carolina made of 37,000 pieces of glass. The State Seal was designed by William Henry Drayton in 1776. Motto translates “While I breathe I hope”.
• The Sword of the State, the Senate authority; when placed on the desk “the Senate is in session”. The 1704 original sword was stolen in 1941. The current one is a 1951 gift from former British ambassador Lord Halifax.
• Wrought-iron staircases decorated with the yellow jasmine (the state flower), pink Tennessee and white Georgia marble floors, hand-made brick arched ceiling and blue granite walls (the state stone).
• Joint legislative conference room (formerly used as a library) is the only original room left in the building. The 1,000 lbs gas-lit chandelier is the only original one at the Capitol.
Remarkable paintings depicting heroic scenes from the Revolutionary War that had more battles fought in South Carolina than in any other state!
Live the history and be proud at the SC State Capitol!
1 comments:
I am from SC. and damn proud of it. I personally think that when they took the flag down they faltered our history not only as people but as a state.The symbol of heroic sacrifice and endurance should not be forgotton nor part of its history be tucked out of place because it so often offends the NAACP. This is history like it or not....
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