South Carolina State House

South Carolina State House
HaloMasterMind · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	South Carolina State House
Location	Columbia, South Carolina
Architect	John R. Niernsee
Client	South Carolina General Assembly

South Carolina State House. The building serves as the capitol of South Carolina and is home to the South Carolina General Assembly, which consists of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. The South Carolina State House is located in Columbia, South Carolina, the state's capital city, and is a prominent landmark in the city, near the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State Museum. The building has been the site of many significant events in the state's history, including the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, with notable figures such as Strom Thurmond and Floyd Spence playing important roles.

● History

The history of the building dates back to the early 19th century, when the state legislature approved the construction of a new capitol building in Columbia, South Carolina, following the Burnett Rhett Maybank and James F. Byrnes era. The building was designed by John R. Niernsee and took nearly 40 years to complete, with the South Carolina General Assembly holding its first session in the building in 1870. During the American Civil War, the building was used as a hospital and a prison, and it was also the site of a major battle in the War Between the States. The building has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major project in the 1970s led by Carroll A. Campbell Jr. and John C. West, which restored the building to its original appearance. Notable events in the building's history include the 1963 Birmingham Campaign and the 1968 Orangeburg massacre, which involved figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy.

● Architecture

The building's architecture is a mix of Greek Revival and Italian Renaissance styles, with a large dome and a portico supported by Corinthian columns. The building's design was influenced by the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., which was designed by William Thornton and Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The building's exterior is made of limestone and granite, with a copper roof and a gold-leafed dome. The building's interior features a large rotunda with a staircase and a chandelier, as well as several committee rooms and offices for the South Carolina General Assembly, including those of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. The building has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with other notable buildings such as the White House and the United States Capitol.

● Grounds

The grounds of the building include several monuments and memorials, including a statue of John C. Calhoun and a memorial to the Confederate soldiers who died during the American Civil War. The grounds also feature several gardens and walkways, as well as a parking garage and a visitor center. The building is surrounded by several other notable buildings, including the South Carolina State Museum and the University of South Carolina, which is home to the McKissick Museum and the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology. The grounds are also home to several events and festivals throughout the year, including the South Carolina State Fair and the Columbia Festival of the Arts, which feature performances by artists such as the South Carolina Philharmonic.

● Artwork

The building features several pieces of artwork, including a portrait of George Washington and a mural depicting the history of South Carolina. The building's rotunda features a large chandelier and a staircase with intricate carvings. The building's committee rooms and offices also feature several pieces of artwork, including paintings and sculptures by South Carolina artists such as Jonathan Green and Mary Whyte. The building's artwork is managed by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which is responsible for promoting the arts in South Carolina and supporting artists such as Leonard Todd and Tyrone Geter.

● Tourism

The building is a popular tourist destination in Columbia, South Carolina, with thousands of visitors each year. The building offers guided tours of the capitol and its grounds, which include the South Carolina State House and the South Carolina State Museum. Visitors can also climb to the top of the dome for a panoramic view of the city, which includes landmarks such as the University of South Carolina and the Congaree River. The building is also home to several events and festivals throughout the year, including the South Carolina State Fair and the Columbia Festival of the Arts, which feature performances by artists such as the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Columbia City Ballet.

● Government

The building is the seat of government for the state of South Carolina, and is home to the South Carolina General Assembly, which consists of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. The building is also the office of the Governor of South Carolina, who is the head of state for South Carolina. The building has been the site of many significant legislative and judicial decisions, including the Brown v. Board of Education case, which was argued by Thurgood Marshall and John W. Davis. The building is also home to several state agencies, including the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, which are responsible for managing the state's education system and transportation infrastructure. Notable figures who have worked in the building include Strom Thurmond, Floyd Spence, and James E. Clyburn.