From the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Over the last two decades, partnerships have become increasingly important in Historic Columbia’s work whether engaging in preservation advocacy efforts with our historic neighborhood associations or projectspecific collaborations like the Columbia City of Women with the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) harnessing resources with likeminded groups and individuals makes us stronger as a community. Over the last two years, several key partnerships have become even more valuable to Historic Columbia not only because they have allowed us to increase our footprint in new areas of research and public programs, but they have become key grant and earned revenue sources.

In June 2022, we entered into a contract with Able SC, a disability-led organization seeking transformational changes in systems, communities, and individuals that aims to make South Carolina a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. In this partnership, we will research and document the lives of people with disabilities who resided at the former SC State Hospital. Funded by SC Humanities, this research project is allowing Director of Outreach and Engagement Katharine Allen to delve into the stories of men, women, and children who spent time on the Bull Street campus. Historic Columbia has long focused on the built history of this site, but the Able SC partnership has opened doors to a much more personal exploration of the people impacted by the conditions, treatments, and facilities. As a standalone project, this is groundbreaking and important work, but it also allows us to expand the content of tours we are offering in February at The Babcock.

For more than 15 years, Historic Columbia has advocated for the preservation of places and stories on the BullStreet District campus. It always has been apparent that the key to its development hinged on the successful rehabilitation of the iconic Babcock Building. Thanks to the investment and commitment of Clachan Properties, this transformation is upon us. For the second year, Historic Columbia members have the rare opportunity to see the rehabilitation of The Babcock in real time, thanks to the partnership with the Clachan team on this Behind-theScenes Tour.

As we recognize the benefits of our research, program, and funding partners, I also want to recognize the incredible support provided by the Historic Columbia membership. In the recently completed member survey, we learned that over 90% of you give to this organization because you align with our purpose and believe that as we fulfill our mission we make Columbia and Richland County better. That is as important to you as it is to us! Please know that we could not do this work without your annual support.

Happy 2023! Let’s work together to make this one for the history books.

WINTER 2023

Volume 63 | Issue 02

President Kim Crafton

1st Vice President Doug Quackenbush

Treasurer Rodrick Shiver

Secretary Carroll Heyward

Historic Columbia preserves places and shares complex stories from the past that connect us in the present and inspire our future.

In This Issue

3 Preservation Update and Call for Award Entries

4 People Lived Here: Documenting the Lives of Those Treated at the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum

6 Why Join Historic Columbia? Membership has Meaning 8 Collections Spotlight

On the cover Interior of an apartment currently being rehabilitated at The Babcock, previously home to the SC State Hospital. The apartment overlooks Segra Park. Image courtesy Historic Columbia collection