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t used to be that Main Street was overlooked as an entertainment district, given the abundance of options nearby in The Vista and Five Points. But things are changing downtown: In addition to all the history you can soak up at the State House, there’s a burgeoning cultural life, too. The Nickelodeon Theatre is scheduled to open in August; Main Street’s monthly First Thursday art parties are energetic and ever-growing; Mast General Store has brought new foot traffic to the area; Mac’s on Main offers blues and jazz; The Whig is one of the hippest bars in town; and, as always, the Columbia Museum of Art has a steady stream of exhibitions and events to help keep culture alive downtown both day and night. There’s also a Brazilian steakhouse, Cowboy. Bottom line: One small step at a time, things are happening downtown. Just south of the State House is a string of establishments catering largely to university students and faculty, as well as state employees. Among the options within a few-block radius: coffee, sandwiches, frozen yogurt, hot dogs, ice cream, bagels and locally brewed beers at Hunter-Gatherer.
What to Do Attractions African-American History Monument The backstory of this monument goes back to 1994, when state Sen. John Courson put forward a grand bargain that would link removing the Confederate Flag from the State House dome (but keeping it on State House grounds) with creating an African-American history monument. That initial proposal didn’t pass, but eventually a compromise came together and the momument was dedicated in 2001. A citizens’ committee reviewed proposals from more than 40 artists and selected Colorado artist Ed Dwight from among them. The final result is a 12-panel sculpture representing key aspects of the African-American experience.
Busted Plug Plaza 1400 Block of Taylor St. Love it or hate it, this giant metallic fire hydrant by Blue Sky is the face of public art in Columbia. As tempting as it is to climb into this thing on a July afternoon, imagine how your four-legged friend must feel walking by.
Columbia Museum of Art
Main and Hampton streets, 799-2810 columbiamuseum.org Exhibitions! Concerts! Beer! The museum’s traveling exhibitions span the full range of art history, while its permanent collection emphasizes European fine and decorative arts. Of course, the art is always a key draw when you’re talking about an art museum, but there’s also a ton of other events happening here: an acclaimed chamber music series, lectures, films and more.
Congaree National Park
nps.gov/cong, 776-4396 First, a disclaimer: Congaree National Park is not actually downtown; we’ve listed it here because there is no section called “20 miles out of town in Hopkins.” This 22,000acre park boasts the largest old-growth, floodplain forest on the continent. It’s also an International Biosphere Reserve, a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Natural Landmark. Activities include hiking, boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and more. Located in Hopkins, 20 miles southeast of Columbia (S.C. 48 from Bluff Rd. or Exit 5 off I-77).
free-times.com | Spring 2012 2012
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Downtown USC South Main St.
Elmwood Cemetery 501 Elmwood Ave. OK, so maybe hanging out in a cemetery isn’t your idea of fun. But this cemetery is full of history — and Civil War history in particular, if that’s your kind of thing. Established in 1854, Elmwood Cemetery covers 168 acres and includes an area dedicated to Confederate soldiers. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Finlay Park midnet.sc.edu/parks/finlay.html Truth be told, Finlay Park (opened in 1991) has seen better days, as it’s become the city’s unofficial haven for the homeless. Nonetheless, it can still be a good place for a walk amid the hustle of downtown, and kids love its two play areas. Also hosts occasional concerts and festivals. Located behind the Assembly Street post office.
Governor’s Mansion
800 Richland St., 737-1710 scgovernorsmansion.org Built in 1855 as a residence for officers of the Arsenal Military Academy, Gen. Sherman’s troops spared the building at the end of the Civil War and it became the official Governor’s Mansion in 1868.
Hampton-Preston Mansion
1615 Blanding St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org Built in 1818, the Hampton-Preston Mansion opened for tours in 1970 and its rooms reflect the Federal period to the early postbellum years.
Koger Center
1051 Greene St., 777-7500 koger.sc.edu The Koger Center is operated by USC and has served as Columbia’s primary facility for the performing arts since 1989. Seats just over 2,000.
Mann-Simons Cottage
1403 Richland St., 252-7742 historiccolumbia.org One of only a few houses in South Carolina owned by free blacks in antebellum days and preserved as an historic house museum. Celia Mann and her descendants owned the house from the mid-19th century until 1970. The house serves as the focal point for the annual Jubilee Festival.
Columbia Museum of Art. Courtesy photo Mast General Store 1601 Main St., 771-2300 mastgeneralstore.com It’s hard to overemphasize just how excited Columbians are about the addition of Mast General Store to the Main Street corridor. It’s not just the store’s vast candy aisle, outdoor gear or footwear that has locals pumped up, though; it’s what the store represents — a giant leap forward for the long-awaited revival of downtown.
McMaster Gallery (USC)
Modjeska Monteith Simkins House 2025 Marion St. Build between 1890 and 1895, this onestory cottage was the home of Modjeska Simkins, a leader in South Carolina’s civil rights movement and the first woman to serve as state secretary of the state NAACP. At a time when blacks could not stay at city hotels, Simkins’ home offering a gathering space and lodging for many civil rights figures, including Thurgood Marshall.
1615 Senate St., 777-7480 www.cas.sc.edu/art A small, unassuming gallery tucked away inside USC’s Department of Art, McMaster is nonetheless a gem of the city’s visual arts scene. Features student and faculty exhibitions along with contemporary traveling shows.
Nickelodeon Theatre
McKissick Museum
Ponder Art Gallery (Benedict College)
USC Horseshoe, 777-7251 www.cas.sc.edu/mcks Offers exhibits relating to the cultural, political and natural history of South Carolina and the southeastern United States.
937 Main St., 254-3433 nickelodeon.org Specializing in foreign and independent films, the Nickelodeon has ongoing plans to move into the Fox Theatre on Main Street. Also presents the popular annual Indie Grits Film Festival.
1600 Harden St., 705-4605 www.benedict.edu Features works by African-American artists.
bites&sights | freetimes
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