• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

SC Governor’s Mansion

SC PICTURE PROJECT 6 Comments

SC Picture Project / Richland County / SC Governor’s Mansion

The Governor’s Mansion in Columbia is all that remains of the Arsenal Military Academy, once located in the capital city. In 1842 Governor John P. Richardson proposed converting the state’s arsenals in Charleston and in Columbia into military academies to train officers for South Carolina’s militia. On December 20, 1842, the state legislature officially created The Citadel and Arsenal Military Academy. This structure was built in 1855 as an officers’ barracks for the latter.

South Carolina Governors' Mansion

Michael K. Jones of Lexington, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Cadets withdrew from the Academy to fight in the Civil War in 1865. When they returned to Columbia, they found their campus in ruins, having been burned by Sherman’s army. However, the stately officers’ barracks remained intact. The barracks was converted into the Governor’s Mansion in 1868, and its first occupant was Governor Robert Scott in 1869.

Governors Mansion Columbia

Andy Hunter of North Augusta, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Since then, the Mansion has had many famous guests such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Martha Raye, Minnie Pearl, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Governon's Mansion

Wilson Jumper of West Columbia © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Though the mansion is the private residence of the governor’s family, some rooms are open to the public for tours. These rooms showcase historical artifacts, furnishings, paintings, and documents pertinent to the Palmetto State.

State Dining Room

Parker Renaud of West Columbia, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Governor’s Mansion Commission is a non-profit organization that sees to the mansion’s historical collections as well as any alteration or renovation of the home. Furnishings and other acquisitions important to the state’s history continue to be collected and added to the Governor’s Mansion.

Governor's Mansion Library

Parker Renaud of West Columbia, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The public is invited to tour the mansion. Tours are conducted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and must be scheduled in advance. The website below should guide those interested in making a reservation.

State Drawing Room

Parker Renaud of West Columbia, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Governor’s Mansion is located in the Columbia’s historic Arsenal Hill district, which is listed in the National Register:

The area of the Columbia Historic District I was established as a result of Columbia’s development into a center of government and trade between the upper and lower parts of the state. Also known as Arsenal Hill, the area was a complex of fine mansions and attractive homes built before the Civil War. The district is politically significant as a center of state and nationally related affairs with the Governor’s Mansion as the focal point.

It is architecturally significant for the variety of architectural styles indicative or unique to the area such as Greek Revival, Italianate, Classical Revival, and the “Columbia Cottage.” Noteworthy landscape architecture in the district includes the Caldwell-Hampton-Boylston House gardens, a significant example of evolving garden planning from the time the house was built ca. 1830 through its development formally in the 1890s to the present. Arsenal Hill has retained stately tree-lined streets and a number of its original homes.

Historic Photos – Governor’s Mansion


Governor's Mansion

Boston Public Library, 1930-1945

Governor's Mansion 1939

South Caroliniana Library, Photographs WPA-PL-C-H (1-24), 1939

Governor's Mansion

South Caroliniana Library, Joseph E. Winter, 1967

Plan Your Trip: SC Governor’s Mansion

Where is SC Governor’s Mansion located?
Address: 800 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201
GPS Coordinates: 34.008785,-81.043463
Website: http://www.scgovernorsmansion.org/
What else should I see?
Finlay Park 0.3 mile
Arsenal Hill ARP Church 0.4 mile
Wardlaw Junior High School 0.5 mile
J. Bratton Davis Courthouse 0.5 mile
Show me more like this!
  • Columbia Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Historic Houses
  • See other South Carolina Military
    SC Governor’s Mansion Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Default ThumbnailFort Jackson National Cemetery Default ThumbnailZimmerman House and School Fort Jackson HeadquartersFort Jackson Headquarters Dovilliers-Manning-Magoffin HouseDovilliers-Manning-Magoffin House Boyne-Pressley-Spigner HouseBoyne-Pressley-Spigner House

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Margaret Ammons says

      July 13, 2019 at 6:34 PM

      Back in the eighties, South Carolina Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award, were invited to celebrate with their parents and Scout leaders at the Governor’s Mansion. Is that an ongoing custom?

      Reply
    2. Margaret Ammons says

      July 13, 2019 at 6:26 PM

      For photographs of the Governor’s Mansion on this page, some credits should read South Caroliniana Library, not Caroliana. I find this a challenging word to spell; I’m sure you’d like to correct it. Is it possible to search and correct the word across the whole web site? Love the photos and information!

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        July 13, 2019 at 10:04 PM

        Great catch, thank you for letting us know! We did do a search and corrected all of the improper listings, we appreciate your help.

        Reply
    3. Katie Renner Sudduth says

      December 15, 2016 at 11:17 AM

      How do I go about talking to someone about bringing a Senior Church group for a tour?

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        December 15, 2016 at 1:31 PM

        Hi, Katie. Go to the link above the map and hopefully that can hemp guide you. Good luck!

        Reply
    4. hailey adkins says

      December 8, 2010 at 10:56 AM

      I love this house and I’m in love with the fountain! I would love to have that house!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved