VOLUME
64 ISSUE No. 02
Historically Speaking
WINTER 2024
A NEWSLETTER OF HISTORIC COLUMBIA
From the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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ince announcing my plans to retire at the end of June, I have been overwhelmed by the calls, letters, emails, and comments in the grocery store line from people congratulating me and thanking me for my service to Historic Columbia (HC). As noted in my announcement, the opportunity to work with HC has been an honor and personal privilege that has energized me for the last 22 years. Much of my work focused on typical museum director responsibilities: managing house museums and collections, developing interpretive landscapes, creating and presenting dynamic and engaging programs, and building and managing organizational capacity—all of which are outlined in a position description. But for me this has been so much more than the typical museum job because it has centered on embedding the organization in the community. In this field we call it outreach. For Historic Columbia, it manifests through research and programming that addresses underrepresented communities; creating a platform that elevates the stories of others; and advocating for historic places that are overlooked or undervalued. This work, done responsibly and thoughtfully, creates a symbiotic relationship between the organization and the community. And for HC it has enabled us to be part of change: economic, social, and physical that has taken place in Columbia and Richland County over the last 15 years. The most recent example of this type of effort is outlined in the pages that follow through the Columbia Canopy Project. In partnership with Columbia Green and supported through a donor-advised fund at the Coastal Community Foundation, the project began with the goal of installing at least 100 shade trees in communities across Columbia whose value and significance were historically dismissed and undermined through structural racism—racially discriminatory laws, rules, policies, and practices that permeated, and in some instances remain part of, our society. Additionally, the project aims to commemorate the lives and work of inspiring figures from these communities—to celebrate their contributions and inspire civic engagement. Our staff and volunteers do extraordinary work with the museums and gardens that we manage AND, with the goal of sharing the complex stories of our past and shaping the future of our community, we must do more. With a board of trustees who are committed to this vision and a staff driven by this purpose, Historic Columbia is well-positioned to continue this work long after my departure. I can’t wait to see what is in store. I am confident that your ongoing support will ensure that HC can stay this course for the next 20 years!
Robin Waites
Executive Director 2
HISTORIC COLUMBIA | NEWSLETTER
Historically Speaking WINTER 2024 Volume 64 | Issue 02 President Rodrick Shiver 1st Vice President Carroll Heyward 2nd Vice President Ty Patterson Treasurer Alex Guzman Secretary Donna Polk Past President Kim Crafton
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 Columbia Canopy Project: Rooted in History, Growing a Greener Future 6 New Year, New Leadership 7 Upcoming Events 8 Collections Spotlight On the cover Guests queue to tour the Robert Mills House at Candlelight Tours on December 9, 2023. Over 300 people attended this signature event in its first recurrence since the pandemic. Image courtesy Historic Columbia collection
Call for
PRESERVATION AWARD ENTRIES
Learn more:
historiccolumbia.org/preservation
Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (residential/ single family) Recognizes projects that follow the same, previously listed definitions, but applied to single-family homes. Revitalization (any ownership or use) Recognizes a project or work that makes a special contribution to the community and/or a pioneering investment in historic districts in need of revitalization.
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Since 1961, Historic Columbia has operated with historic preservation advocacy, in its many forms, as its very reason for being. More than three generations of like-minded activists have touted the importance of preserving tangible links to our built heritage. Without these places, we lose the record of the aesthetics, craftsmanship, and the cultural character that forms our community identity. Some preservationist advocacy has hinged on the quality of buildings that have stood the test of time—boom and busts, armed conflict, urban renewal, and other forces that have shaped our shared past. Some argue for preservation based on the better construction and refined architecture of historic buildings, contrasting them with the generic designs found in new construction. Others advocating for the retention of old buildings, structures, and landscapes emphasize the potential for them as the foundation for heritage tourism, championed as the primary factor in cities and towns becoming a destination for learning and culture. We at Historic Columbia have long held that preservation promotes a higher quality of living for these
reasons. But now, thanks to a recently completed economic impact study performed by Donovan Rypkema and his team at PlaceEconomics—a nationally recognized leader in real estate and historic preservation—we have the data to back up what HC considers common sense. Historic Columbia is eager to share this in-depth assessment of the role that historic districts, tax incentives, Bailey Bill tax abatements, and heritage tourism have played in shaping our city in smart, replicable, and measurable ways. Moreover, the study will allow Historic Columbia to advance its strategic preservation goals for the future, and in doing so address issues of adequate housing, environmental impact, and heightened financial stability for diverse communities and peoples. This spring, in concert with National Preservation Month and the announcement of this year’s award recipients, we will share with you the report’s findings and the road that we will take in using its data to guide our strategic and tactical preservation work. Follow Historic Columbia on social media, subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, or read the May edition of Historically Speaking to be the first to find out about the economic benefits of historic preservation in our community.
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By JOHN SHERRER Director of Preservation
Preservation, Rehabilitation, or Restoration (commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal) Recognizes commercial, institutional, rental, or municipal projects that follow the National Park Service’s definitions of preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration.
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Preservation UPDATE
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Pages extracted from “Catalyst for Columbia: The Impacts of Historic Preservation on Columbia, South Carolina,” prepared by PlaceEconomics. Data from the economic impact study will be made available this spring.
n Thursday, May 16, 2024, Historic Columbia will celebrate Preservation Month by recognizing local projects, individuals, and groups whose excellence in the field of historic preservation has maintained or added to the historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of Columbia and Richland County. Categories for recognition include:
Preservation Leadership Recognizes an individual, corporation, governmental agency, community, or neighborhood association that has significantly contributed to the advancement of historic preservation in the community.
Nominations for projects are limited to those completed within the past five years and located in Columbia and Richland County. Leadership awards have no time limit. Nominations must be received by March 1, 2024. Winners will be notified in early April. To submit a nomination, visit: historiccolumbia.org/preservation-awards
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HISTORIC COLUMBIA | NEWSLETTER
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New Year, New Leadership
Meet HC’s Leadership Team
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n case you missed it, after two decades of service to Historic Columbia (HC), executive director Robin Waites is retiring at the end of June 2024. Robin’s visionary leadership has set the organization up for success for many years to come. Exciting times are ahead as we usher in a new era of leadership at HC. In this article, we are thrilled to introduce (and reintroduce!) you to our dynamic board and staff leaders. In their own words, they’ve introduced themselves, shared their leadership goals, and the reasons why they are committed to HC’s mission. As you will see, the organization is in great hands as we find the next director to lead us to new heights.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Rodrick Shiver
Carroll Heyward
President
ABOUT: I serve as Managing Partner of Shiver Certified Public Accountants. My passion is centered on enhancing the lives of others. WHY HC? HC is always at the forefront of utilizing history to connect persons from all communities, which really resonates with me. My goal as a trustee is to continue building upon HC’s amazing work to bring awareness of our history to impact the future of our community in a positive manner.
Kim Crafton
Past President ABOUT: I’m a wife. A mom. A marketing and air service executive. And a volunteer. I have involved myself with issues that matter and have aligned myself with organizations that work to support women, children, marginalized communities, African Americans, people of color, and so many more. WHY HC? HC seeks to shed light on issues, causes, people, and places that have a purpose, have deep-rooted connection to the community, and have a story to be told. The genuine effort, care, and research is seen and felt in everything HC does and shares with the community.
Read full blog:
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
ABOUT: I am a father, a husband, I am a company president. I love history, and I love Columbia.
ABOUT: I have over 25 years of experience in being an individual contributor, managing, and leading IT project teams.
WHY HC? HC has really done an amazing job over the years telling the story of Richland County and Columbia. They are constantly trying to unearth new findings or find untold stories. Many times it has caused me to rethink what I have known or thought I have known about my hometown. I have also always admired the work that HC is able to do to keep the historic built environment of Columbia.
WHY HC? In addition to preservation, HC incorporates the stories that allow visitors to develop a more personal connection to the properties and their past inhabitants. No matter the stigma, recognition of heritage, or significance of the events related to the story, HC’s commitment to the truth is what make me proud to be a member. This spirit resonates throughout the HC staff and the passion for the mission is infectious.
Alex Guzman Treasurer
ABOUT: I am a Columbia native who is proud to call Columbia home. My wife and our son enjoy exploring the many wonderful things our city has to offer. WHY HC? The passion for preservation, and the dedication to sharing the stories that have shaped our city and our history. My primary goal as treasurer is to help connect the dots between what we do as advocates and stewards of Historic Columbia to show how that translates into our health and well-being of our financials and our organization.
historiccolumbia.org/meet-our-leadership 4
Ty Patterson
HISTORIC COLUMBIA | NEWSLETTER
Donna Polk
Development Chair/Secretary ABOUT: Originally from South Carolina and a graduate of USC, I am a 36-year employee of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. I live in Forest Acres and am a proud G-ma to Graham and mom to his amazing parents—my son, Brandon and his wife, Staci. WHY HC? It is an organization that not only preserves places, but tells stories of the people, unique and diverse, that breathed life into those places. Life stories matter and Historic Columbia uses them to educate, connect, and inspire people of all ages in Columbia and across the Midlands.
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STAFF DEPARTMENT HEADS
GOAL AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: Over the next year I’d like to find new, effective ways to empower my team leads to grow as well as increase the amount of documentation that exists for departmental processes. Both of these are key to any major leadership transition.
Director of Development
Director of Marketing & Communications
Director of Outreach & Engagement ABOUT: I lead the research, programs, and visitor experience teams at HC. As a former archivist, I regularly consult on projects, ranging from National Register nominations to documentary films, that promote and expand upon the history of marginalized communities in Columbia and Richland County.
Rebecca Jacobson
Emily Brown
Katharine Allen
ABOUT: I oversee HC’s integrated marketing strategy and brand management. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit marketing sector, I specialize in solving problems with custom creative solutions. GOAL AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: Serving as the in-house agency for all other departments, the HC marketing department stays busy promoting an extensive list of annual programs, events, and initiatives. My goal is to find new and innovative uses of technology in order to reach more potential supporters and members.
Director of Preservation
Director of Operations
GOAL AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: I look forward to working with engaged parties, internally and externally, to ensure a smooth managerial transition while maximizing the visitor experience.
GOAL AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: I want Historic Columbia members and donors to feel appreciated and know that their support is a worthwhile investment of their time and money.
John Sherrer
Jeffrey Richardson
ABOUT: I am responsible for overseeing the implementation of daily activities across six historic sites and 14 acres of manicured landscapes. My career has taken me to museums big and small across the country. I have also written books and articles on a variety of topics and appeared as an expert commentator on numerous television programs. Regardless of the location or medium, I love sharing my passion for history.
ABOUT: I grew up in Savannah, GA, a city steeped in historic places and stories and feel a kindred connection to the mission and work of HC. As a new staff member, I’m enjoying learning so much about Columbia’s history and meeting so many passionate and engaging supporters of HC.
ABOUT: I am a Columbia native with a passion for preservation and research. I started my career at HC in December 1996, and have enjoyed watching the organization’s mission mature into something that can be inclusive to all Columbians and citizens of Richland County. GOAL AS DEPARTMENT HEAD: My primary goal over the next year is to work with my fellow department heads to prove to our supporters, members, and the general public that Historic Columbia is poised for further greatness that involves them and that we will thrive with the talent currently represented as we welcome new leadership.
Upcoming EVENTS March 23: Concert in the Gardens April 7: Palladium Tour: 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. | Gardens of the Landmarks & Landscapes
Learn more at historiccolumbia.org/events
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May 18: Kensington Mansion Tours 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. | Eastover, SC
Join Sylvamo and Historic Columbia for an exclusive access public tour of Kensington Mansion. Kensington Mansion is unique for its melding of architectural styles and for its association with Jacob Stroyer, who was enslaved at the site as a child and wrote extensively about his experiences in My Life in the South. Tours will focus on the site’s unique architectural features, restoration, and rehabilitation of the mansion.
Woodrow Wilson Family Home
1:00 — 6:00 p.m. | Wales Garden
Performers from the South Carolina Philharmonic will join Historic Columbia to present a beautiful concert of light classics in the garden. Please plan to arrive any time after 6 p.m. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and last an hour. Bring your own blanket or chairs, and pack a picnic if you’d like. Please note tickets are required, and space is limited if there is inclement weather.
This year’s Palladium Tour will showcase residences in Wales Garden, a historic neighborhood known for its charm, tree-lined streets, and diverse architectural styles. This is a selfguided, self-paced walking tour, which will conclude with a block party with food, drinks, live music, and the southern hospitality that defines much HISTORIC COLUMBIA | NEWSLETTER of our community.
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Rooted in History, Growing a Greener Future
Columbia Canopy Project Adapted from Columbia Canopy Project StoryMap, columbiacanopyproject.org
PLANTING SEEDS
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n early 2021, a workgroup consisting of representatives from Columbia Green, Historic Columbia Green, the Coastal Community Foundation (CCF), and the City of Columbia met to plan the Columbia Canopy Project (CCP). Funded by CCF’s CWD3 Fund, the project began with the goal of installing shade trees in communities across Columbia whose value and significance were historically dismissed and undermined through structural racism—racially discriminatory laws, rules, policies, and practices that permeated, and in some instances remain part of, our society. Additionally, the project aimed to commemorate the lives and work of inspiring figures from Columbia’s historically marginalized communities, explore and share the histories of those communities, and assess the ways in which those communities were impacted by and worked to overcome structural racism.
ADDRESSING THE PAST
The pervasive history of racism in America predates its founding in 1776, with discriminatory laws permeating society. While the enduring impact of early structural racism like slavery is widely studied, understanding recent forms of structural racism is crucial to understanding the complex histories of communities. One such example is redlining—the practice or policy of refusing a mortgage to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk. Implemented by the government and lenders, redlining significantly affected community wealth and well-being, marking a rampant form of 20th-century structural racism. On June 13, 1933, President Franklin
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D. Roosevelt signed the Homeowners Refinancing Act as part of the New Deal to address the Great Depression’s economic fallout. The act aimed to provide emergency relief for struggling homeowners and lenders, leading to the creation of the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC). HOLC was authorized to issue up to $2 billion in bonds to acquire distressed mortgages until June 12, 1936. By refinancing these mortgages with longer repayment terms (15 years or more) and lower interest rates (5 percent or less), HOLC aimed to reduce monthly payments for homeowners. While HOLC’s acquisition and refinancing of over a million mortgages offered essential relief, it heightened the financial risk for the federal government. To mitigate potential risks due to longer repayment periods and lower returns, HOLC collaborated with local real estate professionals to assess neighborhood conditions and predict future property values from 1935 to 1940. The outcome of redlining further entrenched disparities in homeownership and wealth based on class, ethnicity, and race, persisting to this day.
REDLINING IN COLUMBIA
HOLC’s survey of Columbia, like cities nationwide, featured area descriptions with geographic and demographic data, property values, “mortgage security” grades, and a color-coded map based on a 1927 map of Columbia.The highest grade, “A” (green), marked neighborhoods as “minimal risks,” urging lenders to provide substantial loans. Conversely, the lowest grade, “D” (red), labeled areas as “hazardous,” recommending conservative lending or refusal. The grades “B” (blue) and “C” (yellow) fell in between, with varying loan advice. HOLC’s maps reflected deeply ingrained discriminatory beliefs, applying ethnic and racial biases to real estate appraisal and lending on a large scale. Across cities, neighborhoods with racial minorities, especially Black residents, were predominantly graded as “D,” while all-white areas consistently received “A” or “B” grades. The presence of immigrants and non-Christians also led to lower grades. Discriminatory remarks in descriptions labeled minority groups as “subversive,” “undesirable,” or “lower grade.” Mere proximity to minority-populated
neighborhoods resulted in lower “mortgage security” grades. HOLC significantly contributed to the perpetuation of city segregation through discriminatory real estate practices and surveys. Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1968 outlawing redlining, its impacts, along with other structural racism forms, persist today in schools, greenspaces, and unequal access to utilities.
REMEDIATING ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUITIES
Since 2018, studies have revealed a notable disparity in tree cover between neighborhoods historically redlined by HOLC and those with higher mortgage security grades. Nationally, grade A neighborhoods have an average tree cover of about 40%, while grade D neighborhoods have only about 21%. Urban tree canopies, crucial for moderating climate, improving air and water quality, and enhancing wellbeing, are linked to higher incomes and increased real estate values. To remediate environmental inequities resulting from redlining, CCP has planted more than 175 trees in the following historically marginalized communities: » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » » »
leaders from these communities. To date, neighborhood groups have recognized more than 90 honorees who helped build their communities despite the racial injustices that worked to limit them. Although often unnoticed and unrecognized for their efforts, these leaders worked diligently for the betterment of their communities, and their names are now proudly displayed on wayside signage near each area of trees planted.
DOCUMENTING HISTORIES
Finally, HC staff, led by Eric Friendly, researched and crafted long-form narratives on the history of each community participating in the project, many of which have never been researched. These neighborhood histories are publicly available at the link to the right.
Learn more:
The CCP is an important step in the continued effort to create a more equitable city. Through tree plantings, commemoration of community leaders and community engagement, and research and dissemination of community histories, the project begins to address and remediate the impacts of structural racism on Columbia’s communities. Although work on the CCP continues— additional trees will be planted in a handful of communities, and additional community leaders will be nominated in Spring 2024—the seeds for preserving the value and significance of all of Columbia’s communities; recognizing the important, yet often overlooked, contributions of our neighbors; and creating a more inclusive history of our city have been planted.
columbiacanopyproject.org
Project LAUNCH
December 1, 2023 | Drew Park & Wellness Center
Barhamville Estates Belmont & Gable Oaks Belvedere Benedict College Booker Washington Heights Burton Heights & Standish Acres Allen University College Place Edgewood Greenview Harlem Heights & Fairwold Acres Hyatt Park & Keenan Terrace Jones-McDonald Community Lower Waverly Lyon Street Community North Pointe Estates Northwood Hills Pinehurst Prescott Manor & Ames Villas Seminary Ridge Historic Waverly Windemere Springs
In addition to providing shade, trees planted as part of CCP also serve to commemorate the lives and work of inspiring Redline map of Columbia, SC. Image courtesy ”Mapping Inequality,” public domain image.
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1601 Richland Street
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Columbia, SC 29201
Collections SPOTLIGHT Born enslaved on a plantation in Chester County, Charles Jaggers (1831-1924) began preaching to fellow enslaved children as a teenager. Following emancipation, he moved to Columbia to work as a railroad laborer before becoming a full-time missionary. He primarily shared the gospel with marginalized groups, including patients at the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, the State Penitentiary, Richland County chain gang members, and the pest house. He would later establish “Jaggers Old Folks Home” at 2120 Elmwood Avenue to care for elderly African Americans, receiving significant financial aid for the home from white citizens. Jaggers’ efforts were widely recognized within both the Black and white communities at the time. On August 21, 1924, there was a city-wide 30-minute closure of all businesses to honor “Uncle Jaggers” at the time of his funeral, which was highly attended. Photograph of Charles Jaggers, c. 1919 Historic Columbia Collection 2017.13.1
NEW! Explore more objects online:
historiccolumbia.org/collection
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www.historiccolumbia.org