VOLUME
62 ISSUE № 02
Historically Speaking
60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION A NEWSLETTER OF HISTORIC COLUMBIA
From the PRESIDENT
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ach new year starts with setting vision and intentions for what we hope to accomplish in our personal and professional lives. Then by the spring, a couple resolutions may have been crossed off the list. That’s OK. Let’s just call it spring cleaning for your mind and soul!
However, as we look at the time remaining in 2022, one thing that remains steadfast on my list is supporting the wonderful and important organizations found throughout this thriving community. One such organization that I have had a longstanding connection to is Historic Columbia. At the end of last year, I assumed the position of President on the Historic Columbia Board of Trustees. In this role, I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to not only aid in strategically planning a strong direction for Historic Columbia, but also seeking opportunities to continue connecting the entire community with its history by way of house and site tours, events, educational programs, festivals, and more. Additionally, I look forward to continuing to celebrate Historic Columbia’s 60th anniversary through November! Over the decades, HC has positively evolved to be a thoughtful and purposeful organization that strives to preserve places, share complex stories, and engage the community in meaningful ways - ways that hopefully inspire the future for everyone. Whether you’re a longtime member or you simply stumbled upon this newsletter by chance, there is something for you to learn, enjoy, and gain by connecting with HC. So, I have to ask... how will you support Historic Columbia throughout the rest of 2022?
Kim Crafton President, 2021-Present Trustee, 2016-Present Director of Marketing and Air Service Development, Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Historically Speaking 60th Anniversary Special Edition Volume 62 | Issue 02 President Kim Crafton 1st Vice President Mark Jones 2nd Vice President Mike Adams Treasurer Rodrick Shiver Secretary Jeff Payne We share the complex history of Columbia and Richland County through historic preservation advocacy, innovative educational programs, and strategic partnerships.
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21-22 Annual Fund Historic Columbia Celebrates Looking Back/Moving Forward: Six Decades of Historic Columbia’s Work Upcoming Events
On the cover Early Historic Columbia supporters Sarah Hook Rembert (left, 1902-2002), Louise Gilland King (center, 1922-2018), and Anne Hart Little (right, 1920-1999) photographed during a pledge drive in 1963. Between 1961 and 1964, in an effort to save the Robert Mills House from demolition, 265 visionary individuals, families, and businesses each contributed $1,000 to the Historic Columbia Foundation. Historic Columbia Foundation collection
Visit us online: www.historiccolumbia.org
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Support Us in Our 60TH YEAR
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uring the past six decades, Historic Columbia has matured to become recognized as one of South Carolina’s leading historic preservation organizations touted for its leadership in advocacy, in educating the public to the importance and relevancy of history in our contemporary lives, and in preserving and interpreting six historic 18th- through early 20th-century sites and their related gardens and grounds. As our world has seemingly become more dynamic, nuanced, and challenging, Historic Columbia has positioned itself through an extensive menu of services, programs, and events to offer insight, provide perspective, and create spaces for respite and reflection. Help us continue that work with a financial gift to this year’s annual fund in honor of our 60th anniversary.
Give through the envelope included in this issue or at historiccolumbia.org/annualfund
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HISTORIC COLUMBIA
celebrates The new Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center opens with 60th anniversary gala and community day events
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You only turn 60 and open a state-of-the-art greenhouse once! To celebrate, we held a ribbon cutting and threw two parties in one week. Historic Columbia staff, City of Columbia and Richland County partners, and members of the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation met on March 9 for a ribbon cutting ceremony. On March 11, guests experienced The Party of the Decade, an elegant evening on the grounds of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Then on March 13, the public was invited to see the new Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center at Celebrating 60.
RIBBON CUTTING Here’s to Susan! Mayor Daniel Rickenmann presented Susan Boyd with a key to the city and proclaimed March 9, 2022 to be Susan F. Boyd Day at the ribbon cutting for the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center and an historically inspired gatehouse.
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THE PARTY OF THE DECADE This party lived up to the name with beautiful views of the greenhouse, food from Loosh Culinaire, specialty cocktails from Twist Bartending, and music from Seven Station Band. What better way to mark 60 years than with 600 of your most enthusiastic supporters? Photos by Sean Rayford
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CELEBRATING 60 Historic Columbia welcomed 450 community members to the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens on March 13th for garden and house tours; talks with Amanda McNulty (host of SCETV’s Making It Grow) and Jenks Farmer (noted horticulturist); lawn games and indigo dyeing, and some amazing “Soda City” vendors, including Belgian Waffle Truck, Drip on Main, Mary’s Arepas, and Kombi Keg Columbia. Thanks to everyone who came out on a chilly but beautiful day!
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ABOUT THE BOYD FOUNDATION HORTICULTURAL CENTER The greenhouse, a $2.5 million dollar gift from the Boyd Foundation, allows the historic site to serve as a hub for horticultural research and plant propagation, alongside ongoing interpretation and programming. The project supports the Boyd Foundation’s investment of more than $1.5 million dollars to date that has powered Historic Columbia’s transformation of the site into one of the most dynamic public gardens in the region. This addition to the Hampton-Preston footprint is a gamechanger for Historic Columbia. We have been working towards this goal since 2006 and it would not have happened without the commitment of the Boyd Foundation.” - Robin Waites, Executive Director, Historic Columbia
Designed by Lambert Architecture + Construction Services with Cohn Construction as the general contractor, the greenhouse and gatehouse constructions are based on historic structures that once stood on the property. The greenhouse facility, located on the northwest quadrant of Hampton-Preston’s grounds, provides an enhanced capacity for HC to tend the 14 acres of grounds and gardens under the institution’s care. It also serves as a space to interpret the role that an extensive workforce of gardeners and horticulturists – Black, white, enslaved and free – have played in shaping this site for over 200 years. The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation is proud to have made possible the restoration of the North gardens at Hampton Preston and the construction of the Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center. We think these projects fit nicely with our objective of enhancing recreational opportunities for the citizens of Columbia and making Columbia a better place to live.” - George Bailey, President, Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation
Photos Courtesy of Cohn Corporation by Todd Lista with Park Avenue Photography
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Celebrating and Remembering
SIXTY YEARS OF HISTORIC COLUMBIA
Reflections from former board members, staff, volunteers, community advocates, and partners
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n 1961, Historic Columbia began with a direct mission to save the Robert Mills House, then known as the Ainsley Hall House, from demolition. The building faced imminent danger as its owner, Columbia Bible College, sought to sell the 1600 block of Blanding Street to developers. Hundreds of donors and volunteers came together, championed by Jennie Dreher and a handful of friends, to ensure that one of Columbia’s most historic properties would be a part of its future. Since that time, Historic Columbia has helped to protect and preserve dozens of properties through advocacy — the power of many voices echoing its founders and declaring that history cannot be relegated to the past alone. The history of Columbia’s buildings and people – whether simple or complex – is integral to the character, integrity, and livelihood of this city. We continue to celebrate sixty years of Historic Columbia through the voices of some of those closest to Historic Columbia’s work.
A Foundational Undertaking: The 1960s
Dedicated to saving the Ainsley Hall House from impending demolition, Jennie Clarkson Dreher and a handful of other staunch preservationists established Historic Columbia Foundation on November 14, 1961.Historic Columba Foundation collection 8
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During its earliest years of existence, Historic Columbia volunteers worked to save and transform the ca.-1823 Ainsley Hall House into an historic house museum that offered tours and programs for public benefit. After that property opened in 1967, attention turned to the rehabilitation and reopening of the ca.-1871 Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home two years later, with personnel simultaneously assisting in the rehabilitation of the ca.-1818 HamptonPreston Mansion.
JANE EMERSON
Commissioner, Richland County Election Commission Daughter of Jennie Dreher Jennie Taber Clarkson Dreher, my mother, was born in our ancestral house just around the corner from Historic Columbia, at Bull and Blanding streets. A product of Columbia, S.C. and of her era in the South, she travelled and learned about the world, held a great sense of humor, and developed an artist’s eye. Mostly though, my mother possessed an incredible drive to save the Ainsley Hall House (today’s Robert Mills House) from destruction. In this effort, she and a small group of friends founded Historic Columbia Foundation, which has gone on to be a leader in educating our community of its history and preserving places that are particular to our city and county. In the late 1950s, Mom and I rode “uptown” on Taylor Street, and she pointed out the Robert Mills House and told me people wanted to tear it down. It was old, unpainted, and boarded up, but she described for me the beauty that it could and would have. When she had a key, I was able to explore that old house from top to bottom. What better way to enchant a little girl and answer my questions, like: why was there no grand staircase? What about those curved doors that lifted to pass over a rug? Where was the kitchen?
The Historical Place to Be: The 1970s During Historic Columbia’s second decade in operation, staff and volunteers continued to add to public programs and enhance the professionalism with which they managed the organization’s cultural resources. The organization assumed the stewardship of the Hampton-Preston Mansion in June 1972, and the Robert Mills House served as the venue for highly touted decorative arts symposia and as a destination for living history demonstrations and annual candlelight tours. By 1978, the Mann-Simons Cottage became established as Columbia’s fourth historic house museum and a Museum of Afro-American Culture with Historic Columbia personnel assisting with rehabilitation and administrative logistics.
WALTER EDGAR Professor Emeritus of History, UofSC; Trustee, Historic Columbia, 1975-1981; President, Historic Columbia, 1977-1979
During the 1970s, Historic Columbia Foundation (as it was originally called) grew from just maintaining beautiful houses to supporting historic preservation efforts in the
greater community. To do so, the board realized that it had to be more active, to be more inclusive, and to improve the institution’s finances. Young professionals and businesspersons were added to the board; an endowment fund was created; and staff and volunteers began the accreditation process with the American Association of Museums. When asking people to join the board, it was made clear that all board members would agree to support Historic Columbia financially and that this was a working board. The staff at this time numbered three and a half (director; administrative assistant; docent coordinator; part-time treasurer). All other activities were handled by board members or volunteers. Historic Columbia received regional and national publicity for its Christmas Candlelight Tours as literally thousands of visitors lined up (regardless of the weather) to take advantage of the organization’s Christmas gift to the community. Historic Columbia enjoyed widespread coverage when Southern Living featured the organization in a colorful article in 1976. Further accolades followed, when Wendell Garrett, editor of The Magazine Antiques, conducted several decorative arts tours in South Carolina—beginning with the Robert Mills House. Historic Columbia supporters hosted a dinner for the tour, and in his afterdinner speeches Garrett said that in terms of domestic architecture, the rest of South Carolina would be downhill after having viewed the Mill House!
I believe my mother’s own words still say it best, when speaking to the City upon the opening of the Robert Mills House: “We give it to you in the hope it will enrich your city life; that you will cherish it; and that you will be proud of it and enjoy it.” Among the quotes of others she wrote down was, “Be part of something that can never be finished in your lifetime.” I remain proud of what my mother began, and the work that now continues through those who care just as greatly about our city’s greatest treasures.
Walter Edgar served as president of Historic Columbia from 1977-1979 and is now the host of SC Public Radio’s “Walter Edgar’s Journal.” Image Courtesy of Walter Edgar 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION
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Preserving More Memories: The 1980s With daily operations of the historic house museums running smoothly, Historic Columbia grew to embrace city-wide historical tours and to support the endeavors of local historians, such as Russell Maxey, whose book Historic Columbia: Yesterday and Today in Photographs remains an important resource for researchers today. Historic Columbia’s efforts resulted in accreditation by the American Association of Museums in
1983, and later the gift of the Seibels House in 1986 from George R.P. Walker, whose family had owned the property since the 1850s.
LEE BROCKINGTON
Author | Curator of Education, Historic Columbia, 1981-1983 In 1980, I began work at Historic Columbia as an intern from Columbia College and became Curator of Education, serving in that capacity from 1981 until 1983. Working here immediately broadened my horizons as a museum professional. What a gift to serve with the “pacesetters” on the board, representing the best of our city’s past and future.
Between 1980-83, I served on staff and stood in awe of the 150-member Docent Guild created during those years. Both longtime volunteers, like Carol Sinclair and Ann Klingenhagen, and new volunteers, Holt Allen and Effie Philips, were leaders among the docents, the Christmas decorators, the costume designers, and the gift shop salespersons. Their expertise and commitment made it possible for me to represent Historic Columbia at the monthlong Seminar for Historical Administration and they worked hard for the organization during important years of growth.
Preserving history, appreciating volunteers, and valuing staff has been a priority for HC, and I am grateful for the continued association.
Lee Brockington served as curator of education at Historic Columbia from 1981-1983. She is the author of Plantation Between the Waters: A Brief History of Hobcaw Baron and co-author of Pawley’s Island. (Images of America.
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More to Preserve and More People to Serve: The 1990s While increasingly more active in preservation advocacy throughout Columbia and Richland County, Historic Columbia further enhanced its tour offerings and house museum during its fourth decade of operation. Ownership of the Big Apple offered helpful rental income and tours of Lower Richland County and of African American sites in downtown Columbia drew new audiences.
JUDY BATTISTE
Former Volunteer, Mann-Simons Site and Jubilee Festival As the Mann-Simons Cottage’s first Director and Curator, CeCE Byers strove to introduce
people of all backgrounds, particularly kids, as to the importance of history and how it shapes the world in which we live. CeCe Byers lived and breathed African American history and culture. It was her passion. She brought the same passion, intensity, commitment, and sense of purpose as curator of the Mann- Simons Cottage and championed the survival and development of this historic property during her time there. CeCe did not view the Cottage as only a museum. She believed that the Cottage should be a community resource, a meeting place, a place of activity where the community could live history and culture—a total immersion with authenticity. CeCe welcomed partnerships with local organizations and school districts. The Cottage was used for meetings and special events. Book and poetry readings, tours, holiday events, and Jazz at The Cottage, an outdoor jazz series, were just some of the events sponsored by the Cottage. The Jubilee Festival of Black History and Culture, which will enjoy its 44th year in 2022, is the defining legacy of CeCe Beyers and a testament to her efforts to maintain its historical significance to the community.
Cecelia Ava Byers (1951-2012) directed the Mann-Simons Cottage Museum of African American Culture and advocated tirelessly for social justice and education. Historic Columbia collection Singers perform at the 1995 Jubilee Festival which will be held for the 44th time on September 17, 2022. Historic Columbia collection
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A New Look at Old Sites: The 2000s After nearly thirty years of preservation and education work, Historic Columbia looked inward to see what aspects of the historic properties under its care could be better managed, studied, and preserved for public benefit. These efforts led to physical enhancements at the historic houses, archaeological investigations, garden enhancements, new exhibits, and additions to the institution’s artifact collection, while laying the foundation for greater future projects.
JOHN CULLUM
Treasurer, Historic Columbia BOT 1998-2002 | Chair, Historic Columbia Garden Steering Committee, 2006-2009 I served on the board during many challenging years, but the opportunities were also bountiful. As a life-long gardener, I recognized that Historic Columbia was missing a critical piece of the story of the site by not addressing the landscapes around each property. In 2005, I made a recommendation to remedy this by bringing on renowned landscape architect and author, James R. Cothran to create a Cultural Landscape Master Plan for the organization. The Garden Steering Committee was established to develop and implement a plan that was unique to our community and subsequently opened the door to newfound public engagement and financial support.
John Cullum chaired the Historic Columbia Garden Steering Committee from 20062009 that produced the vision for many of the changes seen on Historic Columbia’s grounds today. Photo Courtesy of John Cullum.
BOBBY DONALDSON
Our goal was to tell the story of the properties, their residents, and laborers from outside of the structures where much of the life of the families who lived there spend their time; we wanted to tell of the story of the enslaved who tended to the gardens; tell the stories of student life while attending classes; and tell the stories of the two families that lived at the Wilson House. For MannSimons, we wanted to explore ways to envision the other buildings that stood on the property (the idea used was adopted from the Benjamin Franklin home site in Philadelphia) to tell the stories of a robust, innovative African American family.
At the same time members of Columbia’s white leadership joined hands as preservationists to establish Historic Columbia Foundation in 1961 and save the Ainsley Hall House, African Americans were engaged in their own activism—protesting racial segregation. At that time in historic preservation nationwide, African American voices and places were rendered silent and invisible. What a difference 60 years make!
Each of the properties’ extant structures has a different narrative and a different timeframe, so the overall view was 100 years of gardening from 1820 until 1920. The break from traditional ideas developed a new life in the organization and explored new ways to tell the history of Columbia and the Midlands.
Connecting Communities through History: The 2010s Following years of establishing a more solid foundation at the historic house museums for preservation, interpretation, and programming, Historic Columbia sought creative ways to tell more stories and engage the public in shaping its collective history, largely by meeting the people in their own “backyards.” Co-creating history in six downtown communities offered exciting discoveries and placed Historic Columbia on a new plane for future strategic endeavors.
Associate Professor of History, UofSC | Director of the Center for Civil Rights History and Research Lead Scholar, Columbia SC 63
Today, Historic Columbia’s mission is far more inclusive. Over the past two decades, I have had a close association with Robin Waites and the Historic Columbia team as they enhanced the Jubilee Festival, expanded the interpretation of the MannSimons property, renovated the Modjeska Simkins Home, and established the Museum of Reconstruction at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home. Together, with exhibits, markers, tours, and programs, we documented the Ward One community and launched the Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters initiative. As Historic Columbia celebrates this milestone anniversary, I am excited about the future collaborations on the horizon.
Dr. Bobby Donaldson is a longtime partner of Historic Columbia’s through his work as the director for the Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the lead scholar for Columbia SC 63. Photo Courtesy of Dr.
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Bobby Donaldson.
Preserving, Sharing, Connecting, and Inspiring: The 2020s Building upon the preceding decade’s efforts to weave more people and their stories into preserving Columbia and Richland County’s collective memory, Historic Columbia’s staff and volunteers have set substantial goals to more aggressively embrace the needs and expectations of the many communities that have shaped our past and will shape our future.
were determined to be a community partner that was valued and respected throughout Columbia and Richland County. We did it. All of it. And we are not done. Thus far, the 2020s have tossed unexpected challenges are way: global pandemic, significant social and political unrest, and major staffing shifts. Amid this change, we have opened a groundbreaking exhibit at the home of Modjeska Monteith Simkins, launched a 300-site exploration of LGBTQ life in our community, and are on the cusp of completed a 4,000 square foot working greenhouse at Hampton-Preston (thanks to the generous contributions of the Boyd Foundation). Although we are only two years into the 2020s – I’d say we’ve already made our mark. I can’t wait to see what this remainder of this decade has in store.
Robin Waites has served as executive director of Historic Columbia since 2004. Under her leadership, the organization has developed into one of the predominant voices for historic preservation in South Carolina.
ROBIN WAITES Executive Director, Historic Columbia
January 2022 marked my 20th year as a staff member with Historic Columbia. Being engaged in the life of the organization, day-in and day-out, for this long gives me a unique perspective on the past and perhaps an even greater appreciation for our potential for the future. I have long touted the 2006-2012 Strategic Plan as one that set HC on the course for the change that has occurred. Championed by our board leadership that included Belinda Gergel, Steve Morrison, Charles Ashe, John Cullum, Gloria James, Cal Watson, and others, we envisioned an HC that was set within 14 acres of beautifully developed gardens, but also embedded in communities beyond the house museum district. We aspired to be the go-to source for our dynamic and complex local history and the most vocal champion for preservation. We
The Boyd Foundation Horticultural Center not only adds to extensive upgrades to the Hampton-Preston grounds made by the Boyd Foundation, but also completes a vision for the property begun in 2006. Photo Courtesy of Cohn Corporation by Todd Lista with Park Avenue Photography 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION
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What’s NEXT? Events & happenings this spring
Palladium Mid-Century Modern Tour
April 10, 1-6:30 p.m.
The Palladium Tour is back! Returning with another in-depth look at Mid-Century Modern architecture and design, this year’s stops include private homes. An afterparty will take place at the new Boyd Horticultural Center at Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens. Become a Palladium member at historiccolumbia.org to purchase discounted tickets for this event.
Spring Plant Sale April 22-23
From subtropicals to woody trees, a wide array of plants, all propagated from Historic Columbia’s living collections across our sites, will be available for sale. This will be the first sale held in our brand-new outdoor nursery space adjacent to the new historically inspired greenhouse. Historic Columbia members get early access so join or renew your membership today!
Concert in the Garden April 28, 6-8 p.m.
Musicians from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics. Visit historiccolumbia.org to purchase tickets for this event.
Wavering Place Tours June 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
A guided 75-minute tour by Historic Columbia staff will share the stories of many people who have lived and labored at this early antebellum site. Learn about new research and interpretation funded by a Richland County Conservation Commission grant in partnership with Wavering Place owners, owners, Lisa and Weston Adams. Tickets go on sale May 5, 2022.
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1601 Richland Street
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Columbia, SC 29201
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NONPROFIT ORG USPOSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT #1000
www.historiccolumbia.org
Collections SPOTLIGHT
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hroughout the 19th to the mid-20th-century, American men’s formal dress was never complete without a top
hat. Some historians credit President John F. Kennedy's hat-less inaugural address as the cause of their demise in popularity, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first to break with this sartorial tradition during his own inauguration. This top hat made of silk in our collection is paired with a finely crafted leather hatbox made by Dunlap & Co. of New York. Top hat, circa 1880 Historic Columbia collection, HCF 1998.116.1 Box, top hat, circa 1890-1899 Historic Columbia collection, HCF 1966.204.1
