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A NEWSLETTER OF HISTORIC COLUMBIA
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ISSUE № 01
FALL 2018
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ANNUAL REPORT
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VOLUME
58
Historically Speaking
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Letter from the President A
t the close of each fiscal year, while studying budgets and attendance data, Historic Columbia considers areas of success and opportunities for improvement. In wrapping up our 57th year in June 2018, the overarching observation is that the organization continues to find new ways to share information and invite reflection about our past.
In 2017-18, we accomplished this through a variety of access points, including major building, garden and interpretive improvements at the Richland Countyowned Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, expanded partnerships with USC and Richland Library, the debut of a new Kensington tour, the exploration of visitor experience and the launch of a new website. As you review this Annual Report, you will find more in-depth information about each of these milestones. As a member of the board of trustees, I’ll share progress made on one of our strategic goals, which is to ensure that the experience at Historic Columbia meets the expectations of our members and guests. At our annual board retreat in January, Melanie Huggins, Richland Library’s executive director, led us through an exercise to identify the character-defining features of our organization and ways that the board and staff ’s behaviors around those tenets are felt by visitors. Focusing on what we do well and aspire to be resulted in a set of “Experience Principles,” which will guide the work of the organization moving forward. The board and staff adopted the following principles: Historic Columbia is welcoming, inclusive, responsible, informed and evolving. We encourage you to consider these principles, weigh your experience against these aspirations, and let us know how we’re doing! Our partnership with Richland Library is one that we highly value. It is also one of many groups that help play a role in Historic Columbia’s success. Since its founding, Historic Columbia has enjoyed the support of another key partner - Richland County. Twenty years ago, the organization gained a true advocate when Greg Pearce joined County Council. Greg has faithfully served his council district since 1998, but he also held the greater good of the county in his sights. He understood the value of having an active cultural community and threw his support behind organizations like the Township Auditorium, the Columbia Museum of Art and Historic Columbia. Greg’s advocacy resulted in increased operating support as well as unprecedented funds for major capital repairs at the two county-owned Historic Columbia sites. In 2014, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home reopened as the nation’s only Museum of Reconstruction and received awards and recognition at local, state, regional and national levels. It is fitting that he helped cut the ribbon this spring at Hampton-Preston, where his support led to a $1.2 million-dollar rehabilitation that will hopefully be met with the same recognition as the Wilson site. When Greg retires his post this December, his presence will be missed, but his legacy will be firmly entrenched across Richland County. Historic Columbia has benefited from Greg’s support and counsel and the community has benefited as a result.
Historically Speaking Fall 2018 | Volume 58 | Issue 1 President
Robert Lewis 1st Vice President
Gina Lesslie 2nd Vice President
Dr. Isa Mandell 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 Board & Staff, Financial Statement 4 Hampton-Preston Reopens 5 Collections 6 Gardens 7 Preservation 8 Education & Programs 9 Partnerships 10 Volunteers & Rentals 11 Membership & Marketing
As you join us in reflecting on 2017-18, I encourage you to also look back further and join us in thanking those who have made the long-term success of Historic Columbia a reality.
Visit us on the web: Robert Lewis
President, Board of Trustees 2
HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | A NNUA L RE P ORT
HistoricColumbia.org
Board of Trustees Board of Trustees
Ex-Officio Members
Robert Lewis, President Gina Lesslie, 1st Vice President Dr. Isa Mandell, 2nd Vice President Jamie Keller, Treasurer Mark Jones, Secretary
David Campbell Kenneth Childs Carroll Heyward Jenna Stephens
The Palladium Society Board of Directors
City / County Council Representatives / Liaisons
At-Large Members
Katherine Hopkins Jeff Payne Doug Quackenbush Alison Summey
Kim Jamieson Gary Gabel Dawn Mills-Campbell Sam Davis Greg Pearce
HC Advisory Council Jenna Stephens, Chair C.D. Rhodes, III Vice Chair Janice Bowman Frank Braddock Susan Brill Anne Bristow Jim Byrum Ann Cameron Russell Cann Frank Cason Kenneth L. Childs Debbie Cohn Rosie Craig Beryl Dakers Jim Daniel
Fred Delk Kate Dixon Jessica I. Elfenbein Christina Fleming Alex Guzman Jamie Harpootlian Mel Hart Monya Havekost David Hodges Ann Holtschlag Michelle Hurley Gloria S. James Jeff Lawler Richard Linden Andrew R. Lucas
Esther Maldonado Betsy McDonald Todd Miller Kathy Norton Lorin Palmer Eleanor Pope Keith Powell Henry Roe Henry Shaw Stephen Suggs Darrin Thomas Cleve Walker J. Calhoun Watson Mozella White
Carroll Heyward, President Parrish Behles Rebecca McCormack Jennifer Bullock Lisa Mathew Janie Cambell Andrew Montgomery Patrick Cleary Lydia Pappas Lauren Dillon Grace Salter Lauren Elliott David Wiesendanger Lauren Gilstrap Ashleigh Wilson Anthony Goldman Oliver Hartner
2017–2018 Financial Statement Historic Columbia's Statement of Activities for the year ending on June 30, 2018. Operating Revenues and Incomes City of Columbia
611,500
Richland County
478,644
Individual/Corporate Donations
334,875
Includes H Tax & A Tax
Includes memberships/contributions/corp funding
Grants
97,563
Assets released from restriction
0
Rentals
96,057
Tours/Public Programs/Events
116,914
Other
66,904
Interest income, gift shop and other listed on financials
Staff Robin Waites, Executive Director Katharine Allen, Research & Archives Manager Heather Bacon-Rogers, Tour & Program Coordinator Brittany Buckner, Rental Coordinator Lois Carlisle, Executive Assistant Evan Clements, Director of Grounds Jill Found, Youth Programs Facilitator Fielding Freed, Director of Historic House Museums Debbie Giles, Director of Administration & Finance Brian Harmon, Marketing Coordinator Mitch Journey, Gift Shop at Robert Mills Manager Kelly Kinard, Youth & Family Programs Coordinator Betsy Kleinfelder, Visitor & Interpretive Services Coordinator Jeff Kruse, Facilities Assistant Keith Mearns, Horticulturist Liv Miller, Special Projects Caroline Mobley, Marketing Assistant Lauren King, Development Coordinator Megan Plott, Director of Development James Quint, Director of Education John Sherrer, Director of Cultural Resources Sean Stucker, Director of Facilities Anna Kate Twitty, Director of Marketing & Communications Leslie Yarborough, Curatorial Assistant
Total Operating Income
1,802,457
Operating Expenses Program Expenses
1,456,709
General Supporting
180,362
Fund-Raising Expense
153,150
Total Operating Expenses
1,790,221
Net Operating Income
12,236
Non Operating Income
12,783
Increase in Unrestricted Net Assets
25,019
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets
-966,226
Permanently Restricted Net Assets
6,663
Increase in Net Assets
-934,544
Net Assets, beginning of year
3,622,891
Net Assets, end of year
2,688,347
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HamptonPreston Reopens
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aturday, May 14, 2018 marked the culmination of countless hours of research, broad-sweeping capital improvements and interpretive enhancements that coincided with the 200th anniversary of the HamptonPreston Mansion’s construction. Virtually no aspect of the site was left untouched, including the interpretation, gardens and physical structure. Several new artifacts and tools were added to the exhibits to provide visitors with many opportunities to engage with the site’s story. Most importantly, the tours and exhibits now weave together narratives of all people associated with the site, including enslaved persons, site owners, college students, visitors and business operators.
Richland County Council Members, Paul Livingtson, Greg Pearce and Jim Manning, join Historic Columbia to cut the ribbon at the newly reopened HamptonPreston Mansion.
The energetic and positive reaction to the site’s reopening has been apparent, as surveys completed by guests offer insight into the tour’s powerful impact. New exhibit panels featuring content and images link the enslaved experiences to each space. Interpretive guides were retrained to lead more in-depth discussions with visitors and more than 70% of our visitors reacted positively to having challenging conversations. While the panels contain compelling images, guides also have the benefit of using tablets to show visitors primary documents, maps, videos, and enhanced images of displayed portraits. More than ever, guides help visitors understand the intent and impact of decisions made by the people who lived and worked at the site.
Hampton-Preston by the numbers:
70%
of visitors reacted positively to having challenging conversations.
Historic Columbia’s Board of Trustee and Advisory Council members welcome guests at the grand reopening celebration on May 14, 2018.
21 exterior since the site's construction
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wayside signs
new interior exhibit panels Historic Columbia interpretative guide Candace Cunningham gives the new tour at Hampton-Preston to guests.
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HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | A NNUA L RE P ORT
Collections Storage Receives Overhaul Collections staff reorganize the storage areas at Hampton-Preston.
Key fobs are on display in the new second-story vignette to replicate HamptonPreston when it was used as a tourist home between 1944 and 1966.
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he rehabilitation of the Hampton-Preston Mansion involved the most intensive, hands-on museum collections activity Historic Columbia has undertaken in the past two decades. In anticipation of contract work and the repurposing of second-story storage rooms for period rooms and vice versa, staff and volunteers uninstalled the Chicora College exhibit and relocated small objects storage. These changes resulted in almost every single object in the building being moved at least twice, with many being moved three or more times. Dedicated staff, interns and volunteers made this, and the successful completion of many other, collections-based projects possible.
Historic Columbia's collection continues to grow:
58
total new accessions
45 objects were gifted and 2 were purchased (including a
Reconstruction-era carpet bag with South Carolina provenance)
objects were previously in the collection, but had not been accessioned
1 object was transferred from another museum (a Woodrow Wilson WWI commemorative coin from the Columbia Museum of Art)
Director of Education James Quint being interviewed by SCETV for their KnowItAll.org series on the Woodrow Wilson Family Home.
Historic Sites Go Beyond House Museums
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long-term loan negotiated into a gift (a bed that had been on loan since 1972)
Mann-Simons Site Receives State, Regional, National Acclaim
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he Mann-Simons Site netted further accolades for excellence in interpretation, as Historic Columbia received the National Council on Public History’s 2017 Outstanding Public History Award, the 2018 South Carolina Historic Preservation Stewardship Award and South Eastern Museum Conference’s 2018 Excellence in Exhibitions Gold Award.
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his fiscal year, the quality of the collections and interpretive programming found throughout the historic sites captured attention beyond that of tourists'. The Robert Mills House, the Seibels House & Garden and the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House served as venues for film projects—a use that has become increasingly popular over the past decade. Seeing the properties from a different perspective also was deftly accomplished by SCETV, which selected the Woodrow Wilson Family Home as the subject for its 3D Virtual Reality online educational tour, found via KnowItAll.org.
Governor McMaster presents the 2018 South Carolina Historic Preservation Stewardship Award to Historic Columbia staff and volunteers for the reinterpretation of the Mann-Simons Site. FA L L 20 1 8
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Gardens Restored at the HamptonPreston Mansion
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he spring completion of Phase II of the Hampton-Preston garden rehabilitation involved a little under two acres of new plantings, 20,000 square feet of paved pathways and 74,000 square feet of irrigated space. Beyond infrastructure, the project boasted a vast and growing collection of historic plants arranged in an arboretumstyle planting. To inform the planting scheme, Historic Columbia used antebellum nursery catalogues and gardeners’ accounts, including South Carolina’s own Pomaria Nursery. Ultimately, plants from nine different states on both coasts, including historically significant Southern Indica Azaleas, Conifers from South America, Japanese Ancient Camellia varieties, and Cedars from the Middle East were acquired for the site’s burgeoning collection. For this phase only, the gardens expanded by 2,255 individual plants – registered as 380 unique accessions to Historic Columbia’s garden database – an amazing accomplishment made possible through generous support from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Inc., AgFirst and the Carolina Community Foundation.
The completion of Phase II of the Hampton-Preston gardens showcases an abundant variety of plantings, large pathways, and pedestrian-friendly lighting and seating.
Gardens at a Glance:
380
unique accessions added to database
74,000 square ft. of irrigated space was added
new plants installed
20,000
square ft. of paved pathways installed
Gardening Symposium Focuses on Horticultural History
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he 2018 Garden Symposium, titled Exploring SC's Early Horticultural History, welcomed 56 attendees, five vendors, and three lecture sessions. Speakers included Tom Johnson (Executive Director, Magnolia Gardens), Dr. Jim Kibler (Ballylee Nature Conservancy) and Historic Columbia’s own Director of Grounds, Evan Clements. Each speaker specialized in a distinct portion of South Carolina’s horticultural history, and communication and cooperation among actors throughout the state was a common thread. Thanks to our symposium sponsors: Hay Hill Services, Inc, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Sox & Freeman Tree Expert Co., Modern Turf, Green Earth Services, Inc. and Southern Vistas Landscape and Garden Center.
Exterior wayside signage encourages guests to explore Historic Columbia’s new online Garden Database.
Garden Database & Plant Sale Now Available to the Public
O Gardening Symposium guests take a break to shop Historic Columbia’s new Plant Sale.
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HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | A NNUA L RE P ORT
ver the past decade, Historic Columbia has amassed extensive records on each plant located within the 14 acres it manages. Thanks to support from AgFirst, Historic Columbia launched a new website that features access to its comprehensive Garden Database, as well as identification tags, which are displayed on all plants. Designed for both home gardeners and landscape professionals, this online resource allows users to peruse helpful management and care information. Also included are entries on all plants sold at Historic Columbia’s new Plant Sale at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills. Visit HistoricColumbia.org/gardendatabase.
New Easements Added to Portfolio
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n an ongoing effort to more directly promote historic preservation development and rehabilitation throughout Columbia and Richland County, Historic Columbia expanded its preservation easement portfolio in 2017 through the addition of two more downtown historic buildings: the Efirds Department Store Building and the JC Penney Building – today known as Mast General Store and Cyberwoven, respectively. These additions bring the total number of preservation easements held and monitored by Historic Columbia to 12. As developer interest in rehabilitating Columbia’s downtown historic buildings shows no sign of letting up, the number of easements in the portfolio is expected to grow.
The spirit of advocacy shines brightly with the Waverly Neighborhood Association, this year’s Preservation Leadership Award recipient.
Preservation Awards Recognize Outstanding Projects
D Cyberwoven, a locally-owned website and digital agency, recently moved to Main Street and is the newest easement under Historic Columbia’s care.
Demolition of the Woman's Club Catalyzes a Look at City Ordinances
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n May 15, 2018, Columbia lost a symbol of local history with the demolition of the Woman’s Club of Columbia. After standing for 77 years on the corner of Blossom and Henderson streets, the Woman’s Club building faced demolition shortly after the Catholic Diocese of Charleston purchased the lot from the University of South Carolina Foundation. Erected in 1941, this venerable structure stood as a physical testament to generations of women’s activism that began during the Civil War and grew in intensity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Resulting from the community’s disappointment over the abrupt demolition, Columbia City Council agreed to revisit the long-requested consideration of an ordinance that would delay demolition for any building 50 years or older that has historic significance. This delay process would allow preservationfocused groups like Historic Columbia time to find alternatives to demolition and potentially avoid this type of loss in the future.
iversity of place, function and aesthetic can be found amongst Historic Columbia’s 2018 preservation award recipients. Few aviators (or anyone else for that matter) in 1929 could have conceived of the then-new Curtiss-Wright Hangar being repurposed for use as a brewery nearly nine decades later. Others would have found unlikely commercial buildings being transformed into new spots to eat, shop or enjoy a fine glass of wine or coffee with friends. But, this year, these and other properties, which span from a craftsman bungalow to a mid-century modern ranch, to places of worship and celebration, illustrate the vitality historic preservation brings to community. Visit HistoricColumbia.org/ PreservationAwards for a full list of the 2018 Preservation Award winners.
Erected just before the United States’ entry into World War II, the Woman’s Club building represented a late expression of Classic Revival architecture, which enjoyed a significant following since the 1920s.
On the eve of its demolition, Historic Columbia was granted access to photograph and document the site so that digital records would be available and preserved for future generations. FA L L 20 1 8
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Programs Continue to Grow
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ore than 140 programs were offered during the 2017-18 fiscal year with attendence from a vast array of visitors, residents, students, families and supporters. In August 2017, the Total Solar Eclipse viewing event attracted visitors from several countries and across the United States. The 39th annual Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture was again the largest event with more than 6,600 attending the free cultural festival. Monthly programs, such as Second Sunday Stroll, Cemetery Tours, and Dollar Sunday continue to see great crowds interested in learning about Columbia and Richland County’s history. New events, including Yoga in the Gardens and Storytime in the Gardens, helped reach new audiences and develop deeper community partnerships.
Visitors find their Zen and practice yoga on the grounds of Robert Mills during Yoga in the Gardens.
Hundreds of guests gather at Robert Mills to watch the once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse.
HC Reaches Future Generations
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istoric Columbia continues to ensure future generations are engaged with local history. Last year, onsite school group attendance increased, the Traveling Trunk program reached thousands of students across South Carolina classrooms and summer camps remained a popular offering for youth between 8 and 12-years old. Families found programs that provided memorable experiences for their children, including Trunk or Treat and Scarecrows in the Gardens this past fall, festive Carriage Rides and Candlelight Tours in December, and a newly popular Easter Egg Hunt in the spring.
Campers have a blast while learning during Historic Columbia’s annual Summer Camp.
85
schools visited
7,478 students reached
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Students on a field trip at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, the only museum of Reconstruction in the nation.
new schools added to the program
trunks presented Costumed children find plenty of candy at the Robert Mills House during Trunk or Treat thanks to more than a dozen participating community organizations.
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HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | A NNUA L RE P ORT
Children's Program Defines New Chapter in Local Partnership
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he gazebo in the Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens provides a magical setting for an ongoing partnership between Historic Columbia and Richland Library. Storytime in the Gardens, a new monthly program that debuted in the spring of 2017, invites families to enjoy stories, songs, educational activities and historic games. These elements cohesively work together to broaden children’s understanding of our shared world and history – while bringing the surrounding gardens to life. During recent renovations, Richland Library was looking for alternative spaces to offer programs and services. Historic Columbia was interested in bringing more programming to their new gazebo and surrounding gardens. As long-time partners, the two organizations immediately saw the value in combining their individual skills and resources to create this unique, free educational opportunity.
Kensington Reopens with Special Public Tours
Legal scholars and professionals lead a panel discussion at the 14th Amendment Symposium.
HC Explores Reconstruction with USC's History Center
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ollowing months of preservation work that addressed roof, structural and plaster damage, International Paper, owner of the Kensington site, entered into a fruitful partnership with Historic Columbia. This collaboration resulted in sold-out tours of the site in which Historic Columbia, building upon years of research by staff members of the Scarborough-Hamer Foundation, provided heightened coverage of the work required of enslaved persons in maintaining the former antebellum plantation. Special guest speakers included the preservation artisans responsible for reversing storm damage that had shuttered the property for more than two years. Watch out for future opportunities to see this unique historic site!
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n April 2018, Historic Columbia and USC’s History Center co-hosted the second Reconstruction Symposium. The program focused on the 150th anniversary of the enactment of the 14th Amendment, which secured the freedom of former enslaved Africans and African Americans by guaranteeing them the basic rights of citizenship and ensuring equality before the law. The keynote presenters, as well as the symposium moderators and panelists, were among top scholars and practitioners in the country who teach and write about issues related to the 14th Amendment. Across two days, more than 180 people were introduced to the rich history surrounding the 14th Amendment, including the debates about its meaning and application, pivotal moments and developments in history, notable individuals, and key cases that have played a critical role in determining its meaning and application from the late 19th century to today. In addition to the USC History Center, major support for the symposium was provided by South Carolina Humanities.
Historic Columbia leads its inaugural tour through the newly rehabilitated Kensington Site in June 2018. FA L L 20 1 8
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Volunteers Make a Difference
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he volunteer program had a busy and successful year, including multiple training sessions for the reinterpretation of Hampton-Preston, record-setting attendance at the January 2018 New Volunteer Orientation and several great field trips to local historic sites. Every part of the organization is impacted by the commitment and passion of volunteers who contribute their expertise and time. The gardens, programs, tours, preservation efforts, awareness and advocacy initiatives would not be possible without their contributions. Historic Columbia sincerely thanks its volunteers for their dedication and hard work.
107
volunteers
Long-time guide Pat Itter greets trick or treaters during the Trunk or Treat event.
4,930 volunteer hours
$121,722
value of hours donated by volunteers Interpretive Guide Margie Richardson leads visitors through the Robert Mills House during the holiday season.
Rental Program Impacts Historic Columbia’s Mission
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he revenue earned through Historic Columbia's rental program directly supports the care and preservation of its properties and supports community programs throughout the year. Many clients continue their relationship with Historic Columbia by becoming a member and/or attending programs. A prime example of the impact of the rental program comes from Janis Leaphart. Janis’ daughter hosted her bridal portraits and wedding reception at the Seibels House & Garden last year. After the rental, Janis was thoroughly impressed with Historic Columbia and was eager to become more involved. She became a member and continues to visit the properties with her family.
Impact of Rentals:
68
total bookings
$96,057
in revenue
Karen and Chris Boyer’s Seibels House & Garden wedding was featured on the cover of the summer 2018 issue of Carolina Bride.
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HISTOR I C C OLUMB I A | A NNUA L RE P ORT
weddings
8,500+ event attendees
HC Launches New Website
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n April 2018, Historic Columbia launched a new website with a variety of tools to enhance the overall visitor experience. The website features a searchable Garden Database that connects the public to a comprehensive garden collection, 18 neighborhood and thematic online tours featuring more than 580 locations, easier access to events and programs, enhanced tour and garden pages, and more areas to showcase video, photography and testimonials. We hope you’ll check out our new website at HistoricColumbia.org.
Record-Breaking Midlands Gives
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et again, we were amazed by the support of our Midlands Gives donors! Your donations helped ensure Historic Columbia had its best Midlands Gives to date. On May 1, 2018, we received 225 donations totaling $19,263. Plus, we won the 7 a.m. Power Hour bonus making the total $21,763! Nearly half of our Midlands Gives donors got up early to ensure their donation was made during the 7 a.m. – 7:59 a.m. Power Hour to help us win the $2,500 bonus. Thank you for your support!
Membership Campaign Helps End the Year Strong
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istoric Columbia’s Development Committee and staff rallied together to implement a year-end membership campaign, “Your Membership Matters.” The campaign sought to show community members the many programs and initiatives made possible through membership funds, including educational programs, historic house museum tours, community engagement and preservation advocacy. The committee held cultivation events, sent letters and promoted membership at events. Their hard work resulted in 389 membership transactions in the final three months of the fiscal year, including 130 new members!
Palladium Fundraisers Support HC Mission
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alladium has grown tremendously over the past several years, ending the 17-18 fiscal year with 312 members – the highest number on record. The two annual fundraisers, Bluegrass, Bidding and BBQ and the Chili Cook-Off, raised more than $20,000 to support Historic Columbia’s mission. In addition, Palladium hosted three sold-out Renovation Rodeos, which were attended by a total of 120 guests. FA L L 20 1 8
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Carpet bags were a cheap form of luggage popular in the early 19th century. In the Reconstruction Era, the term “carpetbagger� was a pejorative term used to refer to Northerners who came to the South for political or economic reasons, because they often arrived with this type of luggage. Historic Columbia collection, HCF 2017.11.1
1601 Richland Street
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Columbia, SC 29201
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www.historiccolumbia.org