Historically Speaking Spring 2019 by Historic Columbia

VOLUME

58 ISSUE â&#x201E;&#x2013; 03

Historically Speaking

SPRING 2019 A NEWSLETTER OF HISTORIC COLUMBIA

Letter from the Executive Director E ach year Historic Columbia celebrates the work of architects, artisans, contractors, home owners, commercial developers, advocates, and others who embrace preservation by protecting, rehabilitating, and fighting for our historic places. 2019 was a banner year for award submissions, which means the field is active, growing and that really good work is happening across the city and county.

Having now been at Historic Columbia for 17 years, I am privy to a perspective of the awards program that becomes accessible over time. I see projects that HC once joined forces with others to fight for, now celebrated as models for others to follow. Over the last several years, projects like the Inn at USC/Kirkland Apartments, the Brennen Building, and the Palmetto Compress Warehouse represent these battles turned celebrations. This year, there are two award-winning projects that followed this storyline: the Senate Street Fire Station and Kensington Mansion. In 2003-04, Historic Columbia reengaged as an active preservation advocacy organization with the demolition of the former Richland County Jail on the corner of Hampton and Lincoln streets and the threat of demolition to the Black House and Kirkland Apartments in the University Hill Neighborhood. Galvanized by the loss of one and the retention of the others, in 2004, when the Senate Street Fire Station was threatened with demolition, HC was ready to build a case and fight for its preservation as a unique landmark in the City center. The two-story Art Deco facility and its neighboring six-story masonry fire tower were touted as iconic features of the Congaree Vista since their construction in the early 1950s. The potential for adaptive reuse was clearly argued as was the opportunity to use and extend the timeline of architecturally significant places in the thriving commercial district. In addition, as a property eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, there were economic incentives in place to make rehabilitation not only affordable, but attractive. In 2006, after debate and discussion, the City issued an RFP to develop the site that highlighted reuse as an option, and it was purchased by a group specializing in adaptive use of historic buildings. Although it has taken more than 10 years to complete the project, the Fire Station now stands as a mid-century modern jewel in the heart of our premiere entertainment district. The second site of note in this year’s program is Kensington Mansion. In 1981, Union Camp acquired Kensington Mansion. As part of the 1982 agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers, Union Camp was required to “preserve and maintain” the historic site. In 1999 the Union Camp Corporation was acquired by International Paper. Ownership and responsibility for Kensington transferred to International Paper as part of that transaction. They closed the house in February 2014 because deferred maintenance, exacerbated by an ice storm, resulted in interior damage that rendered the site unsuitable for tours. One year later, International Paper terminated the contract with the Scarborough Hamer Foundation, which owned the collections and managed tours at Kensington. After much concern was raised across the community, including by elected officials at the local, state and national level, IP announced in June 2015, that it would undertake a full rehabilitation of the mansion and kitchen building. Working closely with Historic Columbia and Preservation SC, the site was carefully restored. International Paper and HC began offering tours in June 2018.

Historically Speaking Spring 2019 | Volume 58 | Issue 3

President

Robert Lewis 1st Vice President

Gina Lesslie 2nd Vice President

Isabelle Mandell, Ph.D Treasurer

Jamie Keller Secretary

Mark Jones

The mission of Historic Columbia is to nurture, support and protect the historical and cultural heritage of Columbia and Richland County through programs of advocacy, education and preservation.

In This Issue 3 City of Women, Midlands Gives 4-7 Preservation Awards 8 Volunteer Highlights

Both of these projects point to the high quality and diversity of our historic assets in Columbia and Richland County, but more poignantly to the power of the collective voice of preservation that reveals that these historic places belong to more than the current owner – they are key parts of our collective culture and story. We don’t win them all, but when we do, it is worth celebrating.

Visit us on the web: HistoricColumbia.org

Robin Waites

Executive Director 2

HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | NEWSLETTER

Columbia City of Women: Putting Women on the Map Historic Columbia and WREN (Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network) launched the Columbia City of Women initiative on Sunday, March 31, the last day of Women’s History Month. The event, held at the Columbia Museum of Art, included the announcement of 12 influential women honorees that it will celebrate over the next 12 months. This project began locally with former S.C. First Lady Rachel Hodges, who was inspired by a gift from her son—a City of Women map by Rebecca Solnit. The Solnit project took the NY City subway map and replaced the male-dominated piece with all female names. The goal was to raise awareness of the major accomplishments of women in a city whose public spaces do not represent these feats. Hodges realized that model holds true for most cities in the nation, including Columbia, where the only street named for a woman is Lady Street, which erases the name of the woman who inspired it: Martha Washington.

Rachel Hodges presents the Columbia City of Women initiative at the March 31 launch event.

“This initiative will add women to the landscape of our city. This map will bring awareness and sing praises of the extraordinary women who have stood along with men to shape this community—our community—for the future.”  —Rachel Hodges   The current goal of this initiative is to celebrate Columbia’s remarkable women, specifically 12 women—one for each month of the coming year, beginning this April. Through social media, special events and later a reimagined map of the city, Historic Columbia and WREN will raise awareness for these women, connect through their stories and encourage Columbia’s women to empower one another. The 12 honorees are Lucy Hampton Bostick, Dr. Matilda Evans, Dr. Lilly Filler, Sarah Mae Flemming, Harriet Hancock, Sarah Elizabeth Leverette, the Rollin Sisters, Celia Dial Saxon, Modjeska Monteith Simkins, Dawn Staley, Anna Heyward Taylor and Jean Hoefer Toal.

(From left to right) Honorees Lilly Filler, Harriet Hancock and Jean Toal stand alongside Dr. Henrie Monteith Treadwell, the neice of honoree Modjeska Monteith Simkins. Images courtesy of Molly Harrell

Since identifying the first 12 women that will be placed on our map, (with support from staff at the Richland Library and USC’s library system) a team at Historic Columbia has been researching and writing; collecting letters, images and stories; identifying associated places—so that we can begin to share the incredible lives of these women with you. To keep up with this initiative and learn more about these inspirational women visit columbiacityofwomen.com and follow Historic Columbia and WREN on social media, as well as the hashtags #ColumbiaCityofWomen and #SheDid.

Get the Inside Scoop on All Things HC during Midlands Gives! We are excited to participate in Midlands Gives again this year on Tuesday, May 7 for a community-wide online giving day! Last year, thanks to your support, we received 225 donations totaling $19,263 plus a Power Hour bonus—making the total $21,763! Our goal this year is $25,000. Tune in to our social media as Robin goes undercover throughout the day to see what the Historic Columbia staff are really up to day-to-day. Undercover Boss, Historic Columbia style. Thank you in advance for supporting Historic Columbia through Midlands Gives!

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Historic Columbia’s 2019

Preservation Award Winners

Each year, Historic Columbia presents its Preservation Awards to celebrate the accomplishments of local property owners; professionals in the fields of architecture, construction and design; and leaders who champion preservation as an opportunity to support the economy and culture of Richland County. These awards recognize local projects that have maintained or added to the historical, architectural and cultural richness of the Midlands in the categories of Adaptive Use, Preservation/Restoration and New Construction in an Historic Context. In addition, Historic Columbia presents the Preservation Leadership Award to those who contribute to the advancement of historic preservation in the region.

Historic Columbia would like to thank this year’s Preservation Awards committee: Esther Maldonado (chair), Adrienne Montare, Amy Moore, Doug Quackenbush, Michael Ritchie, and Tiara Williams.

Preservation Leadership Award Ward One Organization

In the 80s and early 90s, a group of former Ward One residents: A.J. and Beatrice Richardson, Veola Chatman, Odell and Viola Jackson, Homer and Billie Kennedy, William “Zeke” and Ethel Mary Workman Rawlinson and James H. “Jimbo” often saw each other at gatherings, meetings, and funerals. Inevitably, when together, someone would reminisce about the old Ward – they would talk about people, places, events – recalling with fondness their neighborhood that was largely erased by “urban renewal” in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It was during those discussions that the idea of having a reunion to both bring people together and share stories was born.

This map, drawn by Eugene Mickens, depicts the vibrant Ward One community in the mid-1950s. Beginning in 1954, he lived at 912 Pendleton Street with his mother, Creola Green Mickens, brothers Hercules, Jessie V., and Willie James, and sister Mammie Lou. Mickens spent his childhood running errands for the families on his block, including frequent trips to Mrs. Baker’s grocery at the corner of Park and Pendleton streets. Image courtesy of Eugene Mickens

Members of the Ward One Community celebrate the honorary renaming of the 900 block of Blossom Street to Ward One Way, April 29, 2018.

HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | NEWSLETTER

Led by the first president Beatrice Richardson, the Ward One Organization began to meet monthly and held the first reunion in 1992. Their mantra was “We’re Still Not Done with the Old Ward One!” Since that first reunion, the organization has become a force for advocacy and awareness, with goals to foster awareness of the significance of Ward One and to actively pursue tangible ways to memorialize the legacies of the community’s descendants. Their accomplishments to date include: •

A meaningful partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Bobby Donaldson, Ph.D, whose dedicated work with neighbors has yielded a collection of oral histories, a 2013 exhibit, “The Space on Which You Stand,” and a Ward One app.

•

Outspoken advocacy for the preservation of the Palmetto Compress Warehouse, one of the few buildings that remains within the footprint of the neighborhood.

•

In 2018, the City of Columbia establish the 900 block of Devine Street and “Ward One Way.”

•

This year, an exhibit on the history of the neighborhood will premiere at the Palmetto Compress Warehouse.

Current Board members Mattie Anderson-Roberson (President,) Carrie Tucker (Vice President,) Evelyn Jefferson (Secretary,) Raymond Richardson (Treasurer,) Albert Tucker (Asst. Treasurer,) Richard Caughman, Calvin Hawkins, Carrie Millings and Kim Cheeseboro have been central to these most recent accomplishments. The Ward One Organization continues to work passionately and maintains an extraordinary and inspiring commitment to the preservation of their neighborhood in ways that serve as a model for others.

Adaptive Use 1206 Scott Street Owner: Landplan Group Architect: Jeff Lewis AIA Contractor: Montgomery Construction A formerly abandoned garage-turned-office space, this 1960s-era brick structure in Cottontown underwent major restoration in 2017. Exterior sheet metal cladding, interior vinyl tiling, and a drop ceiling were all stripped away to reveal the site’s original character. Work was done to reverse renovations performed in the 1990s including the removal of a drop ceiling, temporary walls, and laminate flooring. This once-overlooked warehouse is now a showpiece in the burgeoning Cottontown district.

Columbia Fire Station 1001 Senate Street

Owner: Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, LLC Architect: Lambert Architecture + Construction Services Contractor: SouthCon Building Group, LLC Constructed between 1949 and 1951and closed in 1995, this former fire station served the heart of Downtown Columbia including the Congaree Vista and Ward One communities. Along with an extensive cleaning and restoration of exterior stone and brickwork, heavilydeteriorated metal windows underwent lead abatement and were carefully restored. A new rooftop deck was added, as well as new rolltop doors. The site now functions as a mixed-use retail space.

The original garage door openings were also fitted with new rolltop doors and the exterior concrete patio was replaced by greenspace.

A project that spanned many years and involved many preservationists, the Columbia Fire Station is a testament to the importance of retaining historic fabric in urban areas.

Hotel Trundle/Boudreaux Group

1623-1625 Main Street

1224 Taylor Street / 1519 Sumter Street Owner: Sumter LLC Architect: The Boudreaux Group Contractor: Mashburn Construction Interior Design: POND & Company

The structures that housed Powell Furniture, Western Auto and RoseTalbert Paint store (built in 1920, 1914, and 1940 respectively) now serve as headquarters for a boutique hotel and architecture firm. Each of the projects’ three facades were carefully restored to their original appearances. New signage was created to emulate the feel of the original marquee. The successful rehabilitation of these three historic, abandoned properties within the City’s central business district has further revitalized downtown and expanded its commercial footprint beyond Main Street.

Located just off Main Street, this mixed-use space invites out-of-town guests to the heart of Columbia’s capital city. Images courtesy of Janie Campbell and The Boudreaux Group

Owner: G. Scott Middleton Architect: Lambert Architecture + Construction Services Contractor: Mashburn Construction Built by Julian Selby in 1866, 1625 Main was one of the first buildings constructed after the Civil War. It became the headquarters of the former Phoenix newspaper. The major focus of this restoration project was the façade. Using historic photographs, project architects recreated the site’s original doors, columns, windows and surrounds, as well as balcony and balcony rail. Crowning the building is the original cornice, now carefully restored. The site is now home to retail space on the first floor and residential spaces upstairs.

The restored Marks Building is the former home of Isadore Cassel’s Cigar Factory. Images courtesy of Benton Henry Photography S P RI NG 20 19

Preservation/Restoration 1634 Main Street Cyberwoven

Owner: Belser Five Architect: MCA Architecture (Greenville) Contractor: Boyer Commercial Construction Built in the 1870s, the building that once housed JC Penny’s and Maxwell Furniture Building is another jewel in Main Street’s crown. Restoration began in late 2016 and involved reclaiming bricked window openings, removing 1980s EIFS stucco additions, and waterproofing exposed, original brickwork. Though the building’s history extends to the Reconstruction period, the overall architectural significance is from 1937 to 1958, which the current owners remained faithful to in the renovation process. The interior’s wood floors, tin ceiling, terrazzo, and plaster walls were repaired. Once obscured by stucco, the site has been restored to reflect the rich mercantile history of the Main Street commercial corridor.

From the windows to the terazzo entryway, every care was taken to restore this Main Street gem to its former glory. Image courtesy of Brian Erkens

Kensington Mansion

Olympia Mill Museum

Owner: International Paper Architect: Glenn Keyes Architects Contractor: Huss Construction with Master of Plaster & Century Slate Roofing

Owners: Olympia Granby Historical Foundation Contractor: Mark Ullman Construction, LLC

4001 McCords Ferry Road

International Paper originally purchased the Kensington property in the early 1980s when the home was being used to store farm equipment, fertilizer, and animal feed. For the next thirty years, the site saw various levels of public accessibility. After an ice storm severely damaged the mansion’s roof in 2014, preservationists successfully lobbied for a comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation. The scope of work was vast and included replacing the damaged roof, repairing and replacing ornamental plaster, replacing all light fixtures with period-appropriate replicas, recoating the front steps to their original brownstone color, servicing the HVAC system, and more. The site will be open for on a limited basis to allow the surrounding community access to the home and grounds.

A long-recognized historic landmark in Richland County, Kensington is one of the state’s architectural treasures. Images courtesy of Robin Smith

HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | NEWSLETTER

1170 Olympia Avenue

When purchased in 2014 by the Olympia Granby Historical Foundation (OGHF), the home at 1170 Olympia Avenue (ca. 1901) had vinyl siding, vinyl windows, and the interior had been gutted down to the studs. Virtually none of the original plaster or trim survived. In the spirit of the home’s original use as Olympia Mill School, the OGHF restored the space for use as the Olympia Mill Village Museum. Its renovation was a multi-year effort which saw the installation of period-appropriate wooden windows, new floors, beaded panel ceilings, and new wiring. Overall, the project restored original materials, avoided any major alterations and respected the original mill house architecture.

The owners took special care to remove historically-inaccurate vinyl windows and replace them with old-growth wooden windows, restored by hand. Images courtesy of Staci Richey

Wesley United Methodist Church 1725 Gervais Street

Owner: Wesley United Methodist Church Architect: The Boudreaux Group Contractor: Weathers Contracting Company, Inc.

The church at 1725 Gervais Street is home to the oldest African American Methodist congregation in Columbia. Following a collapsed ceiling in 2015, members of Wesley began an extensive fundraising campaign to stabilize their ca. 1910 sanctuary building. Exterior work addressed masonry concerns, restoration of the stained-glass windows, and the installation of a new roof. Brick-by-brick, old mortar was removed and replaced with new specially-formulated mortar in the basement to mitigate water intrusion. The sanctuary carpeting was removed, and the wooden floors were restored. Modern amenities were added including a new ADA-compliant bathroom, sound booth, and A/V system.

Funded by donations from the congregation, the restoration of Wesley United Methodist Church ensures that it will serve the community for another one hundred years. Images courtesy of Laurel Irving

New Construction in a Historic Context Central Energy Facility

Columbia SC Visitors Center

Owner: Central Energy Architect: Garvin Design Group Contractor: Hammer Construction

Owner: Experience Columbia SC Architect: Garvin Design Group Contractor: Mashburn Construction

This industrial building originally provided heating and cooling to the entire South Carolina Department of Mental Health campus. Abandoned in 2005, the 12,731 square foot structure sat dark and unused until 2017. The existing machinery was removed in order to open the space. The three iconic smoke stacks, however, were preserved and rest atop speciallydesigned streel struts which have become a defining characteristic of the space. They serve as a reminder that the BullStreet campus has not always been one of retail and offices. The site is now home to Downtown Church and is available as a rental venue.

Described by neighbors and architects as a “jewel box,” this new addition to the Vista both compliments its historic context and provides an easily accessible, highly-visible entry point to the city with modern amenities. Exposed structure on the interior of the building references the historic Lincoln Street canopy outside. A large planter and seat wall create a gathering space at the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets while at the same time providing monumental signage for the Visitors Center. It is at once highly visible and complimentary to the district’s existing characteristics.

Central Energy is another example of responsible adaptation on the former State Hospital campus. Images courtesy of Brian Dressler

Located under the historic awning of the former Seaboard Air Rail Line, the Visitors Center blends past and present to show guests what Columbia has to offer. Images courtesy of Kickstand Studio

2030 Gregg Street

1101 Lincoln Street

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Congratulations to our 2019 Volunteer Award Winners! From left to right: Paul Armstrong (Newcomer Award), Beryl Dakers (Service Award), Peri Tibshrany (Volunteer of the Year Award), Frank Houston (Special Contributions Award), Anne Weir (25 Years of Service), Janice Bowman (25 Years of Service), Susan Boyd (Community Partner Award). Not pictured: Carroll Heyward (Rising Star Award).

1601 Richland Street

Columbia, SC 29201