Nomadic African

 by Ashish Desai 

 South Carolina’s State House in downtown Columbia has been the home of the state’s General Assembly, as well as the governor’s office, for more than 100 years.  Construction began on the Greek Revival style building in 1855 but was not completed until 1907.  The State House is constructed primarily of blue granite with an outer dome of copper.  The structure sustained some damage during the Civil War.  It is now considered to be fireproof, and important state documents are stored there.  The building was extensively renovated from 1995-98.  The State House is designated a National Historic Landmark.

The building is open for free public guided and self-guided tours Monday-Friday.  Reservations are not necessary.  From January-June, when the General Assembly is in session, tours are given every half hour from 9:30-11:30am and 1-3:30pm.  When the legislature is not in session, tours are given on the half hour from 9:30am-noon and 1-3:30pm.  Tours are also given hourly on the first Saturday of the month from 9:30am-3:30pm.  Visitors should enter the building through the public entrance on Sumter Street.  A short video presentation on the history of the State House precedes the tours.

There are several noteworthy features in the interior of the State House.  The inside dome in the main lobby is a false dome.  The main lobby upstairs contains two large paintings of Revolution War battles fought in South Carolina.  The paintings depict the Battle of King’s Mountain and the Battle of Cowpens, both fought in the Upstate.  Famous South Carolinian John C. Calhoun, who served as Vice President of the United States under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, is honored with a statue in the main lobby and a portrait in the Senate chamber.  The House chamber contains a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the only US president born in South Carolina.

Visitors will see several monuments on the State House grounds.  A monument to the state’s Civil War dead is located on the north side of the building.  Six bronze stars on the State House mark the spots where Civil War artillery struck the building.  A statue of George Washington is on the State House steps.  The grave of Swanson Lunsford, a South Carolinian who fought in the Revolutionary War, is located just off Assembly Street on the east side of the grounds.

The State House Gift Shop features products made in South Carolina.  Visitors can purchase apparel, jewelry, home décor items, and other gifts.  Gift shop hours are 9am-4pm.  The State House is located at 1100 Gervais Street. 

Ashish Desai is the General Manager for Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/Northeast. A top choice among otherhotels in Columbia SC, this newly opened property is located just off I-77 at exit 11 near the Northeast business district and is conveniently situated just 15 miles from downtown Columbia. For more information visit: www.ColumbiaSouthCarolinaHotel.com